First Jain Election Manifesto
The Jain APPG launched the first ever Jain election manifesto.
Jain All-Party Parliamentary Group setup in British Parliament
The IoJ were instrumental in forming the Jain APPG – a grouping of parliamentarians from both houses of parliament, and all parties, who are interested in the Jain faith and community.
Jain Delegation for a General Audience with His Holiness the Pope
The IoJ led five members from different Jain organisations, to the Vatican City at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (PCID) and attended a general Audience with HH Pope Francis.
Padmashri Dr Kumarpal Desai Awarded Ahimsa Ratna Award
The Ahimsa Foundation of Indore, established specifically to spread the awareness of the concept of Ahimsa worldwide awarded the Ahimsa Ratna Award to IoJ India Director, Padmashri Dr Kumarpal Desai.
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’
Symposium on Jain Scholar, Shree Virchand Ragavji Gandhi’s Accomplishments
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.
HRH The Prince of Wales receives 25 year Anniversary Ahimsa Award from IoJ
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.
Ahimsa – India’s Contribution to the World: A Talk by H H The Dalai Lama
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.’
IoJ Joins Animal Interfaith Alliance
The IoJ becomes a member of the Animal Interfaith Alliance.
One JAIN Umbrella Organisation Established
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.’
Invitation to the Vatican for Jain Perspective
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.
Minority status in India
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.
50 years of the Pontifical Council
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.
Tibetan celebrations
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.
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.
JAINA convention
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.
Paryushan Parva
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.
Jain treasures at the Bodleian Libraries
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.
2011 Jain Tales
The second IoJ children’s book retells some well-known traditional stories that have been used to pass on Jain teachings for centuries.