Proud to Be British, Proud to Be Jain: Shaping Identity for Future Generations
Reflections from the OneJAIN and JAINA Conference on Jain Identity — 18 October 2026
What will it mean to be Jain in Britain three generations from now? Will future generations continue to observe the traditions and participate in the institutions that define much of Jain community life today? And, more importantly, will they understand and embrace the philosophy that lies at the heart of Jainism?
These questions were explored at Proud to Be British, Proud to Be Jain, the first joint conference organised by OneJAIN and the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), held at the Navnat Centre in Hayes, West London, on 18 October 2026.
The gathering brought together British Jain community leaders, representatives of JAINA, Jain spiritual figures, young British Jains and guests from the Hindu and Jewish communities.
The programme opened with bhakti by Palvi Shah, followed by a rendition of the Navkar Mantra by Samani Punya Pragyaji, setting a devotional tone for a day of reflection on the community’s future.
What are we seeking to preserve?
In his opening keynote, Mehool Sanghrajka outlined OneJAIN’s role in bringing British Jains together and strengthening their collective voice.
He challenged participants to consider how the community might look in three generations, suggesting that its languages, institutions and familiar expressions of identity could change profoundly.
A strong Jain identity, he argued, matters for three reasons: ensuring that government and public institutions understand the community’s needs; preparing future generations to sustain its organisations; and preserving Jain values that have much to contribute to wider society.
This raises a fundamental distinction.
Jain identity has cultural dimensions, expressed through language, family traditions and festivals; religious dimensions, expressed through worship, rituals and spiritual discipline; and philosophical dimensions, grounded in principles such as Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekantavada.
All three are important, but they are not interchangeable. Cultural practices create continuity, rituals provide spiritual discipline and shared experiences, while philosophy gives these practices meaning and guides everyday conduct.
Mehool proposed a shift in emphasis: rather than asking only how to bring young people into temples, we should ask how to bring Jain values into their lives.
He also encouraged community leaders to listen to younger generations — what does being Jain mean to them, what do they want from their community, and what discourages their participation?
The challenge is not simply to preserve an inherited identity, but to help each generation understand and value that inheritance.
British and Jain: complementary identities
A panel chaired by Shandeep Shah of OneJAIN brought together three younger members of the British Jain community: Kavit Haria, a marketing entrepreneur; Hirak Doshi, a paramedic and founding president of the Jain Students Association; and Yash Shah, a recent graduate working as a software developer.
Asked what it meant to be British and Jain, they offered different but complementary perspectives.
For Hirak, born in Britain, there was no conflict between her British identity and Jain values. Compassion and respect for others guided her conduct at home and at work.
Yash described Jain principles as supporting rather than constraining his ambitions, providing a spiritual foundation for navigating life’s challenges.
Kavit’s journey was different. Although born into a Jain family, he had not grown up with a strong grounding in Jainism. His interest developed after attending a Young Jains convention, where the experience of community and connection encouraged him to explore his heritage.
He suggested that in a world offering countless choices, Jainism provides a framework for deciding which choices are worth making.
Their experiences demonstrate that British and Jain identities need not compete. Indeed, an understanding of Jain philosophy can provide confidence and direction in contemporary British life.
They also highlight the difference between inheriting a religious identity and consciously embracing it through understanding and experience.
Beyond rituals: Jain philosophy in everyday life
The young panel observed that Jainism is often identified primarily through dietary restrictions, festivals and rituals.
They did not reject these traditions. Rather, they questioned whether their deeper spiritual significance was always sufficiently understood.
Their discussion of three fundamental Jain principles demonstrated their continuing relevance.
For Yash, Ahimsa, or non-violence, meant “relentless compassion”. He invited participants to consider how they treat people encountered in everyday life, such as a waiter or taxi driver. Are we patient, respectful and attentive to how our words and behaviour affect others?
For Kavit, Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness, addresses an important question in a consumer-driven society: how much is enough? It encourages reflection on our attachment to possessions, status and material success.
Hirak similarly questioned the relentless pursuit of the next achievement or possession. She also highlighted Anekantavada, the recognition that truth can be approached from multiple perspectives. In an increasingly polarised world, it encourages intellectual humility, listening and respectful disagreement.
These principles offer guidance for relationships, professional conduct, consumption and ethical decisions.
Importantly, philosophy and ritual should not be seen as alternatives. Understanding the meaning behind religious practices can strengthen their significance, while observance can deepen spiritual understanding.
Education and belonging: foundations of identity
Yash observed that access to Jain information is no longer necessarily the main problem. Considerable content is available, but access does not automatically produce understanding.
Hirak emphasised the importance of accessible education, including simple guides explaining Jain philosophy. Understanding the roots of her religion, she explained, was an important source of pride in her identity.
Atul Shah, President of JAINA, described the federation’s network of Jain centres across North America and highlighted the importance of Pathshala in providing children with a foundation in Jain values.
However, religious education need not end in childhood. Different stages of life raise different questions about identity, relationships, careers, family and ethical responsibilities.
Education could therefore extend beyond formal classes to discussion groups, mentoring, explanations of rituals and opportunities to explore how Jain principles apply to contemporary challenges.
Yet knowledge alone does not necessarily create a strong connection with the community.
Hirak argued that organisations should consider the quality of young people’s experiences at Jain events, rather than measuring success only through attendance numbers.
Referring to Social Identity Theory, she highlighted how a sense of belonging contributes to the way individuals understand and value their identity.
Kavit’s own experience reinforced this point. His engagement with Jainism grew through meaningful connections with other young Jains.
This raises practical questions for community organisations. Do newcomers feel welcomed? Can younger participants contribute rather than simply observe? Do events create friendships and a sense of shared purpose?
Inclusion and religious continuity
The discussion also touched on interfaith marriage and the experiences of those with different levels of religious observance.
Kavit questioned whether definitions of belonging within the Jain community had sometimes become too narrow, encouraging a more welcoming and non-judgemental approach.
This raises a genuine tension. Religious communities have a responsibility to preserve their distinctive traditions and pass them to future generations. At the same time, making people feel excluded may weaken their connection with those very traditions.
A welcoming community need not dilute its religious teachings. It can provide opportunities for people with different backgrounds and levels of engagement to understand, participate in and develop a relationship with Jainism.
The conference did not resolve these questions, but highlighted the importance of addressing them openly and respectfully.
From participation to leadership
Mehool’s call to listen to younger generations also raised the question of whether they have sufficient opportunities to shape community life.
There is an important difference between organising activities for young people and giving them responsibility to develop and lead those activities.
Atul Shah described Young Jains of America (YJA) as an active organisation with considerable autonomy, offering opportunities for connection, leadership development and mutual support.
The North American experience suggests that greater youth ownership, supported by established institutions, could help develop the next generation of Jain leaders.
The panel also highlighted the importance of visible Jain role models, including business and professional leaders who demonstrate how Jain values can inform their decisions and conduct.
Leadership, however, need not begin with formal positions.
Asked how young people might become more engaged, Yash suggested seva, or selfless service.
He described volunteering at a London soup kitchen on Friday evenings, an experience that enabled him to serve others while connecting with fellow Jains.
He summarised this approach as “Serve as a Jain.”
Service offers a practical way to experience Ahimsa and other Jain principles. It can also create opportunities for participation, friendship and responsibility, including for those who are less attracted to conventional religious activities.
Learning from other communities
The conference benefited from perspectives from North America and other faith communities.
Atul Shah outlined JAINA’s umbrella structure, established in 1981, bringing together Jain centres across North America through educational programmes, committees and collaborative activities.
Dr Jayesh Shah, JAINA’s First Vice President, spoke about the forthcoming convention in Dallas, themed “Timeless Values for Our Evolving World.”
He identified artificial intelligence and technological change, polarisation and over-consumption as contemporary challenges.
These are areas where Jain principles have relevance beyond the Jain community. Ahimsa encourages consideration of the harm caused by our actions, Aparigraha challenges excessive consumption, and Anekantavada offers an approach to disagreement in a divided world.
Lord Krish Raval, speaking from a Hindu background, reflected on the deeper commonality of life and the responsibility of religious communities to bring people together.
Drawing on the religious diversity within his own family, he described how people can maintain confidence in their identity while respecting others. He also emphasised the importance of building networks, developing trust through values-based conduct and learning to disagree respectfully.
David Prais, speaking from the Jewish community’s experience, discussed the strength of Jewish identity across different forms of religious observance.
He encouraged Jains to express their identity with greater confidence and highlighted the importance of sustained investment in religious education and younger generations.
These perspectives suggested that strong religious identity and openness to wider society need not be contradictory. Indeed, confidence in one’s own tradition can provide a foundation for constructive engagement with others.
From reflection to action
Although the conference did not adopt formal resolutions, its discussions suggest several practical priorities for British Jain organisations.
1. Make Jain philosophy relevant to everyday life. Develop accessible resources, discussions and practical examples connecting Jain principles to contemporary issues. Explain the meaning behind rituals alongside their traditional practice.
2. Strengthen belonging and inclusion. Evaluate community activities by the quality of participants’ experiences, not just attendance. Encourage welcoming environments, meaningful relationships and respectful discussion about different forms of religious engagement.
3. Give younger generations genuine responsibility. Support youth-led initiatives in which young Jains help determine priorities, organise activities and develop leadership skills, with mentorship from established community leaders.
4. Create opportunities to practise Jain values. Develop seva initiatives, volunteering projects and other activities that connect philosophy with practical contributions to society.
5. Invest in lifelong learning and leadership. Extend educational opportunities beyond childhood, develop Jain role models and encourage cooperation across organisations to support the community’s future.
These are possible directions arising from the discussions, rather than decisions formally adopted by the conference. Their implementation would require further consultation and collaboration.
A living identity for future generations
The question raised at the beginning of the conference remains: what will the British Jain community look like in three generations?
Its languages, customs and forms of participation may change considerably. But change in outward expression need not mean the disappearance of Jain identity.
The future will depend on the ability to preserve the depth of Jain religious and philosophical traditions while enabling each generation to discover their relevance.
The conference highlighted five mutually reinforcing dimensions of that process: understanding Jain philosophy, experiencing belonging, practising Jain values, participating in community life and developing the confidence to lead.
Young British Jains demonstrated that these values can remain personally meaningful in contemporary society. The North American and interfaith perspectives reinforced the importance of education, strong institutions, leadership and networks.
Perhaps the most important question emerging from the day was the one posed in Mehool’s opening address:
Rather than asking only how we bring young people into Jain institutions, how can we bring Jain values into their lives?
Answering that question will require parents, religious teachers, community organisations and younger generations to work together.
The goal is not simply a community that continues to exist, but one that understands its heritage, lives by its values and shares their wisdom with wider society.
