Jainism in Southeast Asia

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Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Jainism is a minority religion in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore etc. However, the civilisation of India in general, has influenced the languages, scripts, calendars, and artistic aspects of these people and nations.

History

There are references in Jain texts to various areas of Southeast Asia.[1] During the reign of Samprati, Jain teachers were sent to various countries in South East Asia.[2]

Prominent Jains (e.g., Jain monk Kshullaka Prayatna Sagar[3]) from India have visited South East Asia for the purpose of representing Jainism, guiding the local Jain community and interacting with the members of other religious faiths, notably Buddhism.

Regions

Burma

The Jain Agamas refer to Southeast Asia as Suvarnabhumi. Kalakacharya, a Jain monk, is said to have visited Burma.[1]

About 5000 Jain families lived in Burma before World War II. Almost all of the families have now left.[4] There are three or four Jain families and a Jain temple in Yangon.[5][6] It was built with romanesque architecture and is located on 29th Street in Latha Township in Old Rangoon.[7] The Yangon Heritage Trust has been lobbying to preserve this temple, along with other prominent landmarks of Old Rangoon.[8]

Cambodia

There is no evidence of Jainism in Cambodia.[9]

Indonesia

A small Jain community exists in Indonesia. The community organises various Jain festivals in Jakarta. The community organisation is called Jain Social Group, Indonesia.[10]

Laos

There is no presence of Jainism in Laos.

Malaysia

There are about 2,500 Jains in Malaysia. It is believed some of them came to Malacca in the 15th or 16th century.[11]

The first Jain temple in Malaysia is located at Ipoh, Perak and was consecrated in 2012.[12][13] There is also a Jain temple in Kuala Lumpur.[14] The temple is located in the Bangsar locality of Kuala Lumpur and was built using 4000 kilograms of marble from India.[15] Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam was present during the inauguration of the temple in 2011.[16]

The Jain community actively celebrates Jain festivals like Paryushan.[17]

The Philippines

There is no presence of Jainism in the Philippines.

Singapore

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Main article: Jainism in Singapore

Jains have settled in Singapore since the beginning of this century just before or after the first world war (1910 – 1914).[18]

As of 2006, there are 1,000 Jains in Singapore.[19]

Thailand

Historically, Jain monks had taken Jain images to Thailand via Sri Lanka. A nude Jain image is worshipped as an image of Buddha at Chiangmai.[20] However, due to a rigid emphasis on austerity, Jainism did not take root in Thailand.[20]

Currently, there are about 600 Jain families in Thailand, mainly in Bangkok.[21][22] The Jain community in Thailand in not united, unlike the Jain communities in Singapore, the United States etc. Separate Jain temples exist for the Digambara and the Svetmabara Jain communities.[23] The Digambar Jain Foundation was established in 2007.[24]

The Jain community also sponsors local Thai PhD students to pursue higher studies in Jainism.[25] Some restaurants in Thailand serve Jain food.[26][27]

A majority of the diamond cutting and polishing business in Bangkok is handled by the Jain community.[28]

Vietnam

There is no presence of Jainism in Vietnam.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[unreliable source?]
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[unreliable source?]
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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