Jainism in Southeast Asia

Shree Shitalnath Jain Temple
Bangkok, Thailand
Shree Shitalnath Jain Temple
Bangkok, Thailand
Shree Jain Shwetamber Murtipujak Temple
Yangon, Myanmar
Singapore Jain Religious Society
Singapore

There are select references to Southeast Asia in Jain literature.[1] Suvarṇabhūmi or, "The Golden Land" is speculated to be referring to Southeast Asia as geographical landmark. As, this term can be found in texts such as Harivamsa, Uttara, and Ādi Purāṇas.

Prominent Jains (e.g., Jain monk Kshullaka Prayatna Sagar[2]) from India have visited South East Asia for the purpose of representing Jainism and to guide the local Jain community. As well as, fostering connections with other non-Jain individuals of the region(s).

Regions

Myanmar (Burma)

Prior to the mass exodus of Burmese-Indians in 1942, estimates place the Jain community in Myanmar at up to ~5,000 families, though some figures from the period reach as high as ~10,000 individuals across sources. [3] The present day population of Jains residing in Myanmar is difficult to measure. However, in Yangon there is a Jain temple (The Shree Jain Shwetamber Murtipujak Temple) that was established in 1914; which continues to serve the local community.[4][5] The temple exterior displays pillars and a variety of religious carvings; blending Jain and Burmese design.[6] The Yangon Heritage Trust has been lobbying to preserve this temple, along with other prominent landmarks of Old Rangoon.[7]

Hong Kong

As of 2009, there are ~500 Jain families residing in Hong Kong.[8] Currently, there is one temple, "Shri Jain Sangh Hong Kong" founded in 1996 which serves the Jain community of Hong Kong.[1]

Indonesia

A small Jain community exists in Indonesia, mostly in Jakarta and Medan. The community organizes various Jain festivals in Jakarta. The community organization is called Jain Social Group, Indonesia.[9]

Malaysia

There are about 2,500 Jains in Malaysia. It is believed some of them came to Malacca in the 15th or 16th century.[10]

The first Jain temple in Malaysia is located at Ipoh, Perak and was consecrated in 2012.[11][12] There is also a Jain temple in Kuala Lumpur.[13] The temple is located in the Bangsar locality of Kuala Lumpur and was built using 4000 kilograms of marble from India.[14] Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam was present during the inauguration of the temple in 2011.[15]

The Jain community actively celebrates Jain festivals like Paryushan.[16]

Philippines

A small Jain community. Made up mostly of Indian expatriates, exist in Metro Manila.

Singapore

Main article: Jainism in Singapore

Jains have been settled in Singapore since just before the First World War (1910 – 1914).[17] As of 2006, there were 1,000 Jains in Singapore.[18]

Thailand

Historically, Jain monks took Jain images to Thailand via Sri Lanka. A digambar Jain image is worshiped as an image of Buddha at Chiangmai.[19] However, due to a rigid emphasis on austerity, Jainism did not take root in Thailand.[19]

As of 2011, there are about 600 Jain families in Thailand, mainly in Bangkok.[20][21] The Jain community in Thailand in not united, unlike the Jain communities in Singapore, the United States, and some other countries. Separate Jain temples exist for the Digambara and the Svetmabara Jain communities.[22] The Digambar Jain Foundation was established in 2007.[23]

The Jain community also sponsors local Thai PhD students to pursue higher studies in Jainism.[24] Some restaurants in Thailand serve Jain food.[25][26]

A majority of the diamond cutting and polishing business in Bangkok is handled by the Jain community.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ "on www.jainsamaj.org ( Jainism, Ahimsa News, Religion, Non-Violence, Culture, Vegetarianism, Meditation, India. )". Jainsamaj.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  2. ^ "No Pain, No Jain | Bangkok Post: multimedia". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  3. ^ Tinker, Hugh (1975). "A Forgotten Long March: The Indian Exodus from Burma, 1942". Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 6 (1): 1–15. ISSN 0022-4634.
  4. ^ "Yangon, Myanmar: A 'City That Captured Time' (PHOTOS)". Huffingtonpost.com. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Jain Diaspora Convention(JDC) 2009 - JAINA-JainLink". Jaina.org. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  6. ^ "A Stroll through Old Rangoon". Dream Of A City. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  7. ^ Brady, Brendan (13 August 2012). "Burma: Progress Puts Rangoon's Architectural Past at Risk". Time. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  8. ^ Tsung, L (2009). Minority Languages, Education and Communities in China (Illustrated ed.). Springer. p. 179. ISBN 0230234402.
  9. ^ "Magazine | Locations | Indonesia | Jakarta | Jain Social Group Indonesia Organized The 1st Event Of Kshama Yachana At Sadhu Vasvani Center, Jakarta". Herenow4u.net. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  10. ^ "on www.jainsamaj.org ( Jainism, Ahimsa News, Religion, Non-Violence, Culture, Vegetarianism, Meditation, India. )". Jainsamaj.org. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Jain Heritage Centre - Jainism Abroad - Malaysia". Jainheritagecentres.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  12. ^ Singhvi, Laxmi Mall; Chopra, Tarun (2002). Jain temples in India and around the world - Laxmi Mall Singhvi, Tarun Chopra - Google Books. Himalayan Books. ISBN 9788170020790. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  13. ^ chandaram dewasi pujari says (17 November 2011). "New Jain Temple in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia". The Chakra News. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Archives | The Star Online". Thestar.com.my. 13 November 2011. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Malaysian Minister Subramaniam: Agencies Which "Recycle" Maids Will Have Their Licence Revoked Immediately". Nam News Network. 12 November 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  16. ^ Chavan, Mahavir S. (27 August 2009). "Jain News: Gujaratis in Malysia [sic] fast during Paryushan". Jainsamachar.blogspot.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  17. ^ "History of Jainism in Singapore". 14 January 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  18. ^ "Jainism Joins National Inter-Faith Organization (Singapore)". Retrieved 13 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  19. ^ a b Reddy, L. R. (2003). Sri Lanka Past and Present - L. R. Reddy - Google Books. APH. ISBN 9788176484497. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  20. ^ "Magazine | Locations | Thailand | Bangkok | Shri Digamber Jain Samaj ►Bangkok, Thailand". Herenow4u.net. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  21. ^ "Report ISSJS2009 Bangkok | International School for Jain Studies". Isjs.in. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  22. ^ Anuj Jain (20 April 2008). "Digamber Jain Mandir- Bangkok,Thailand". Djfmandir.blogspot.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  23. ^ "Indian Associations - Embassy of India,Bangkok - Thailand". Indianembassy.in.th. 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  24. ^ "Indians in Thailand - Shri Digamber Jain Samaj, Bangkok". Thaindian.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  25. ^ "Chiang Mai Citylife: This is Thailand". Chiangmainews.com. 12 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  26. ^ "Baluchi Restaurant - Phuket - Patong Beach Restaurants & Dining". Phuket. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  27. ^ Backman, Michael (16 June 2005). Inside Knowledge: Streetwise in Asia - Michael Backman - Google Books. Springer. ISBN 9780230522398. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.