Category Archives: Inter-faith Network Activities

Celebrating 50 years of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican

It was 19th May 1964 when Pope Paul VI instituted the “Secretariat for Non-Christians”, the forerunner of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) at The Holy See.  Monday, 19th May 2014 was the Golden Anniversary celebration and the auditorium was filled by over 250 representatives from the Catholic Church as well as many other[…]

Greetings for Mahavir Janma Kalyanak

Institute of Jainology has been developing relationship with the Vatican since 1991 and this relationship is getting closer year on year. The Institute had initiated a visit by the Roman Catholic Archbishop in the UK to meet the Jain community at the Oshwal Centre, Potters Bar. Oshwal Association of the UK had hosted the visit[…]

Pagoda Peace Day

Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, London celebrated its 28th anniversary on Saturday 22nd June. Nipponzan Myohoji had invited several faiths to recite their prayers for world peace. Dr Harshad Sanghrajka the Deputy Chairman of the Institute of Jainology  represented the Jain faith. He recited  three selected verses from the Jain litany of BRIHAD SHANTI PATH. He[…]

Jains Meet the Catholics in London

H E Cardinal Tauran Chairman of the Pontifical Council for Inter Religious Affairs visited UK recently specifically to meet the Jains, Sikhs and Hindus in their drive to build closer relationship with these religions. He visited the Shikharbandhi Jain temple at the Oshwal Centre Potters Bar. His party was hosted by both the Institute of Jainology and the Oshwal Association of the UK. He addressed some 300 Jains gathered for the occasion He said; “….The rise of religious fundamentalism and the increase in the instances of inter-religious tensions in different parts of the contemporary world seem to make the sceptics of religions blame religion for all the ills affecting society. Let there be no doubt that religions are the cause of love, unity and peace and if any religion teaches the contrary, is no religion at all.” His talk was followed by an exchange of views from both Roman Catholic and Jain perspectives on theme of non violence as a contribution to peace. Prof Nalini Balbir gave the Jain perspective and Father Barnes the Roman Catholic.

Invitation to Pontificating Ceremony

Institute of Jainology has established itself as a representative Jain organisation in the UK and world-wide over the past 25 years.  The first important event was the Jain delegation which presented the JAIN DECLARATION ON NATURE to HRH Duke of Edinburgh at the Palace when Jainism became formally recognised as the ninth religion in England. […]

Visitors From Spelthorne University of Third Age to Potters Bar Jain Temple

Institute of Jainology and Oshwal Association of the United Kingdom jointly hosted the visit of the Religions & Cultures Group from the Spelthorne University of Third Age.  The group was led by their Co-ordinator: Elaine Rowsell who organised the visit through Harshadbhai. On Monday, 15th October, Harshad N Sanghrajka and Vinay K Shah of IOJ[…]

Jain Delegation to the Vatican

Institute of Jainology had led a delegation to the Vatican in December 2011 following the first it led in February 1995. A Communique was issued at the conclusion of a two and a half hour meeting. H H The Pope had received gifts from the Deputy Chairman of the Institute.

Hindu Svayamsevak Sangh Praudh Shibir

Institute’s Director/Secretary, Dr Sanghrajka was invited to attend the Praudh Shibir (Retreat for the  mature members) held from 3rd to 5th June at Woodhouse near Loughborough, Leicestershire. He was requested to speak at theconcluding ceremony to give information on JAINpedia and also provide some concluding remarks for the Shibir. Both the topics were well received[…]