History of The Institute Of Jainology
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- 1980
H H The Pope thanks Jains for commitment to care for the planet Dialogue on Origins of Faith & Scriptures
The IoJ led its third delegation to the Vatican to meet with the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (PCID). A joint press communiqué was released calling upon ‘the followers of both religious traditions to promote respect for the environment, non-exploitation of natural resources, reduction of wastefulness, care for all forms of life, and concern for future generations’
One JAIN Umbrella Organisation Established
Relations with the Catholic Church
The IoJ attends the inauguration of Pope Francis I in Rome. Cardinal Tauran, leader of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and other Roman Catholic clergy visit the Jain temple at Potters Bar in June, following a visit the previous year by Archbishop Kevin McDonald on 16th May 2012.
www.jainpedia.org and www.learnjainism.org
The JAINpedia website is formally launched in June 2013, unveiling new interactive functionality, such as the timeline and image gallery. The new Learn Jainism website goes live at the same time in a similar design. As well as all the quizzes, pictures and other material from the original website, it also contains new lesson plans and other teaching materials.
Jain treasures at the Bodleian Libraries
2010 JAINpedia exhibition at the V&A
The Nehru Gallery of Indian Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum hosts an exclusive display of Jain objects and manuscripts as part of the JAINpedia project. A series of events unfolds alongside the exhibition, including public talks and lectures, celebrations of Diwali and activity days for families. The exhibition and events prove so popular that the display becomes semi-permanent from September 2013.
2010 JAINpedia exhibition at the British Library
The second in the JAINpedia programme of exhibitions held by project partner institutions opens, displaying 40 striking objects from the Library’s Jain collection as part of the rotating ‘Sacred Texts’ permanent exhibition in the John Ritblatt Treasures Gallery. The exhibition is so successful that it runs for eight months.
2009 Jainism is added to the UK Religious Education curriculum
2006 Catalogue of the Jain manuscripts of the British Library
The Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, launches the three-volume catalogue in Delhi, India, at a large event in May 2006. The international launch takes place a year later at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of HRH Prince Philip. Delegates representing Jain communities from all over the world attend both events, marking the completion of a long and scrupulous process involving five eminent scholars. Dr Kanubhai Sheth, Dr Kalpana Sheth, Prof. Tripathi, Dr Dinanth Sharma and Prof Nalini Balbir.
2002 ‘Celebration of Creation’
The Alliance of Religions and Conservation arranges a celebration of 50 years of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s reign at St James’s Palace in London. As one of the attendees, the IoJ describes the recent construction of the village of Ladakpur and presents a recording of the composition, ‘Maitri Bhavnu Pavitra Zarnu’, with an English explanation by Shri Chitrabhanuji.
2002 University courses
The IoJ runs modules on Jainism in the Diploma and Certificate levels in Religion at Birkbeck College, University of London. Around 500 people complete the course over five years. The course forms the basis of the IoJ’s education programme, which starts in 2008. Prizes are also established for undergraduate and postgraduate essays on subjects related to Jainism at the School of Oriental and African Studies. In 2009, the courses were offered throughout the community and so far over 1,000 attendees have been awarded certificates in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Nairobi.
2000 Jains in the Millennium Dome
Representation of the Jain faith in the Millennium Dome is organised. Built to house an exhibition celebrating the turn of the millennium, the dome attracts over 6.5 million visitors during 2000. The Jain Faith zone hosts an exhibition, play and cultural events. The play, tracing the life of Mahavir, is watched by over 1,800 Jains and non-Jains.
1995 ‘Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India‘
The first full-scale exhibition of Jain art, in Europe, opens at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London after touring the USA. The IoJ is the main organiser and secures the joint patronage of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, President of India. The IoJ raises vital funds from the Jain community and others globally for this.
1995 Audience with Pope John Paul II
The IoJ takes part in an audience with the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and invites Jains from various organisations around the world to join them in the visit. The Pope is presented with a copy of That Which Is – Tattvartha Sutra and relations between the two faiths have remained friendly ever since.
1992 First Jain Environment Day
The IoJ facilitates this event at the Oshwal Centre in Hertfordshire and the following year inaugurates the first Ahimsa Environment Award to celebrate the adoption of ‘good Jain practices’, such as concern for the environment and honest and transparent dealings, by Jain businesses and community groups in the UK.
1992 Life of Mahavir on video
A 40-minute video of the life of Mahavira in Hindi, Gujarati and English is produced. The film uses photos of paintings to tell the story of the 24th Jina, from the dreams of his mother to his final enlightenment. The film is launched in London, with HE Dr L.M. Singhvi, High Commissioner of India, and is then screened on national Indian television.
1991 High Commission of India
A celebration is held of the birth of Lord Mahavira at the official London residence of the High Commissioner of India. This inter-faith festival becomes an annual event in the Indian High Commission calendar for some years and is important in bonding Jains with the local Indian community in the UK. In 1994, the IoJ arranges the installation of a statue of Lord Mahavira at the High Commissioner’s residence.
1990 The Jain Declaration on Nature
The declaration is based on the work of 30 eminent scholars and sets out fundamental Jain values, emphasising how they work in harmony with the environment. The declaration is presented to HRH Prince Philip, President of the World Wide Fund for Nature International, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace marking the official entry of the Jain faith into the WWF Network on Conservation and Religion.