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Jainism in Singapore

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Singaporean Jains
The Singapore Jain Religious Society on Jalan Yasin in Singapore.
Total population
1,500[1]
Languages
Singaporean Language
Indian Languages
Religion
Jainism

The Jain community celebrated a presence of 100 years in Singapore marking the occasion by rededicating the "Stanak" and consecrating the idol of Mahavira. This brings together the two main sects of Jains - Śvetāmbara and Digambara. The Singapore Jain Religious Society engages in keeping traditions and practices alive by transmitting Jain principles to the next generation. It also has a strong history of community involvement. The community has no temple, but the Singapore Jain Religious Society has a building at 18 Jalan Yasin.

As of 2010, there are 1,500 Jains in Singapore.[1]

History

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Jains have settled in Singapore since the beginning of this century just before or after the first world war (1910 – 1914).[2]

Jain unity

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According to the Singapore Jain Religious Society's constitution, any Jain whether Śvetāmbara or Digambar, speaking any language could become a member and carry out Jain religious activities, keeping to fundamental principles of Jainism.[2]

Singapore Tamil Jains Forum

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Singapore has a huge population of Tamils and thus also has a small community of Tamil Jains. The Tamil Jains in Singapore congregate under the banner of Singapore Tamil Jains Forum. The forum is headed by Dharmanathan Varthamanan.

References

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  1. ^ a b "A life of ahimsa". www.asiaone.com. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "History of Jainism in Singapore". 14 January 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
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