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’

IoJ India and others held a symposium to highlight the life, personality and achievements of the torchbearer of Bharitya culture, Shree Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (VRG) on the anniversary of his 151st birth anniversary.

Marking the Institute of Jainology’s 25 years, a special Ahimsa Anniversary Award was presented to The Prince of Wales during his first-ever visit to the UK’s largest Jain Temple in Potters Bar.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama held a special talk for the Indian community at the London Coliseum on ‘Ahimsa – Indian’s Contribution to the World.’

The IoJ becomes a member of the Animal Interfaith Alliance.

A unanimous vote was passed between 29 Jain organisations that ‘the IoJ is entrusted with the task of leading the One JAIN vision in the UK and provide a unified voice for Jainism in the UK, involving other organisations as necessary, to promote the cause of Jainism.’

Dr Harshad Sanghrajka, of the IoJ was invited by the Vatican to represent Jains worldwide and the Jain philosophical view on the Complementarity of Man & Woman in Marriage.

The IoJ supports the work by Sudhir Lodha in achieving minority status for the Jain community in India. Jains are the sixth community to be granted minority status at the federal level in India.

The IoJ sends a message of felicitation and a plaque commemorating 50 years of Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue at the Holy See on 19th May 2014. These are delivered personally to HE Cardinal Tauran at the Vatican.

IoJ Director Dr Mehool Sanghrajka delivers the keynote at Tibetan celebrations of the anniversary of His Holiness The Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

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.

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.

The IoJ attends the annual JAINA convention, held in Detroit, USA. A keynote speech, a presentation on JAINpedia, a lecture on primary education and participation in panel debates ensure great interest in the IoJ’s work and achievements.

The IoJ assigns scholars from its Education Team to celebrate Paryushan Parva 2013 at various locations in England: South London, Northampton and East London. This follows the trend from the past, when assignments have included Nairobi and Singapore in addition to the UK locations.

The third JAINpedia exhibition opens at the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, with a launch event and dinner in Divinity Hall. The reception is followed by a family event of activities at the Ashmoleum Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Bodleian Libraries.

The second IoJ children’s book retells some well-known traditional stories that have been used to pass on Jain teachings for centuries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The IoJ is registered as a charitable trust in England and Wales. Initially, it concentrates on the local Jain community in London, bringing over scholars from India and raising awareness of the faith.

In 1983, the International Jain Conference, in London, recognised the need for a non-sectarian organisation to co-ordinate Jain affairs internationally.The IoJ was then informally set up in 1984.