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 Archbishop of Canterbury visits Jain temple
Archbishop Rowan Williams is taken on a tour of the famous Jain temple at Potters Bar at the invitation of the IoJ and Oshwal Association of the UK. It is the Archbishop’s first visit to a Jain place of worship.
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.
Prince Charles attends the launch of JAINpedia
At the Victoria and Albert Museum, HRH Prince Charles attends the launch of the JAINpedia project.
2009 Jainism is added to the UK Religious Education curriculum
A movement to add Jainism as a Religious Education topic to the national curriculum in locally funded primary schools across England and Wales is successful. In addition, the IoJ provides much of the teaching materials, to support the schools.
2007 Discover Jainism and www.learnjainism.org
The first book in a series written especially for children, looks at various aspects of Jain life and beliefs. Complementing the book, the Learn Jainism website goes live at www.learnjainism.org and supports the IoJ’s work in primary education.
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.
2002 The Day of Prayer for Peace
The IoJ represents Jains worldwide at the Day of Prayer for Peace – Assisi, 24th January 2002. A Jain reflection on peace is presented based on the cardinal Jain doctrine of ahimsa.
2002 ‘Standing Together Against Intolerance’
The IoJ participates in the London Civic Forum organised by Mayor Ken Livingstone themed ‘Standing Together Against Intolerance’. A passage from the Acharanga Sutra on ‘Righteousness’ is presented to the gathering.
2002 Peace Pagoda
The IoJ is invited to Peace Pagoda, Battersea Park to pray for peace worldwide, by Nipponzan Myohoji. A presentation of Jain prayers has been taking place at this annual event ever since.
2001 Gujarat earthquake
News of the 2001 earthquake spurs the IoJ into forming the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund with eight other Jain organisations in the UK. The fund contributes towards the rebuilding of a village (Ladakpur), housing over 1,500 people.
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.
1995 Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) Summit
IoJ participates in the conferences held in Atami, Japan; Windsor, UK in 1995; and Kathmandu Nepal, in 2000, with HRH Prince Philip presiding. Amicable relations have been maintained with the ARC ever since.
1994 That Which Is
A new translation of the Tattvārtha Sūtra into modern contemporary English is published by the International Sacred Literature Trust and sponsored by the IoJ. The text is an authoritative scripture that all Jain sects agree captures the essence of Jain beliefs.
1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions
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.