Best of Jainism

Temples and Images (Chicago, IL)

The Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago in Bartlett, Illinois, circa 1992 2082 #41

Jain Children Preparing for a Performance (San Francisco, CA)

Young Jains ready to enact the fourteen dreams of Trishaladevi (Mahavira's mother) at Jain Center of Northern California in San Francisco, circa 1992 (Photo: Courtesy of Jain Digest)

Jain Wedding Ceremony (Mumbai, India)

A Jain wedding ceremony in Bombay (Photo: Courtesy of Hasmukh Shah)

Sushil Kumar at an Opening Ceremony (Blairstown, NJ)

Sushil Kumar at the opening ceremony of Siddhachalam Jain Ashram in Blairstown, New Jersey

Sushil Kumar at an Opening Ceremony (Blairstown, NJ)

Sushil Kumar at the opening ceremony of Siddhachalam Jain Ashram in Blairstown, New Jersey

Jain Children at a Hindu Temple (Fremont, CA)

Young Jains at Sapna ceremony at Vedic Dharma Samaj, a Hindu Temple in Fremont, California where Bay Area Jains celebrate large festivals Jain Center of Northern California Photo by Ellie Pierce (1994) BK2 2082 #34

Murtis (Boston, MA)

The new murtis are bathed with numerous substances including ghee (clarified butter) both before and after they are placed in their elaborately decorated seats known as vedis or gadis. pluralism.org

Jain Temple (Farmington Hills, MI)

Woman Sitting in Prayer Hall, Man Standing in Bhumti Area Surrounding the Ghabhara Room (Photo: Bill McNeece/The Pluralism Project)

Jain Temple (Farmington Hills, MI)

Woman Sitting in Prayer Hall, Man Standing in Bhumti Area Surrounding the Ghabhara Room (Photo: Bill McNeece/The Pluralism Project)

Pratishta Mahotsav at the Jain Center of Greater Boston (Norwood, MA) Pratishtha Mahotsav at Jain Center of Greater Boston (Boston, MA)

Families gather on the left of the shrine and then circle the murti to perform the ritual bathing. (Norwood, MA) (Photo: Zach Sisisky/The Pluralism Project)

6th Biennial Convention of the Young Jains of America (Santa Clara, CA)

The older attendees of the convention—college graduates and young professionals—had a separate set of activities. The convention held discussion this age category, whose professional attachments have scattered them across the country, the convention provided an important opportunity for social interaction, professional networking and perhaps for the meeting a potential spouse. The Young Jain Professionals (YJP), a group that organizes social events geared toward the needs of the college graduate Jains, was founded in 1997 and follows the YJA organizational model. (Photo: Anastasia Piliavsky/The Pluralism Project)

Jain Center of Greater Boston (Norwood, MA)

The temple is an important place for the transmission of the Jain tradition to the next generation, which proves a difficult task away from India--the homeland of Jainism and Jains. pluralism.org 2005.

Transmission of the Jain Tradition

The temple is an important place for the transmission of the Jain tradition to the next generation, which proves a difficult task away from India--the homeland of Jainism and Jains. pluralism.org

Jain Sangh of New England (Boston, MA)

2005 Minolta DSC

Jain Sangh of New England (Boston, MA)

This family has the honor of sponsoring a Snatra Puja, a ritual commemorating the birth rites of tirthankara Mahavira. Here the daugher of the family is making the initial oblutions of the mulnayak murti (central image). 2005

2006 Young Jains of America Convention

Convention attendees awaiting opening ceremonies in the grand ballroom. pluralism.org

Community Members Celebrate The Jain Center Of Greater Boston's Inauguration (Boston, MA)

Community members prepare to process to the Jain Center of Greater Boston during the Center's inaugural festivities in June 2010. Banners depict principles of the Jain tradition: ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (non-absolutism), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness) Norwood, 26-28 June 2010

Center Inauguration of the Jain Center of Greater Boston (Boston, MA)

Up to 108 women are wearing matching "saris" and process next to the "murti" as a part of the inaugural festivities for The Jain Center of Greater Boston. The crowns are decorative and celebratory. The color saffron has special significance to Jains, 2010 Norwood, 26-28 June 2010

Center Inauguration of the Jain Center of Greater Boston, Norwood, 26-28 June 2010

The parade processes through the suburban streets of Norwood with music and dancing.  The "murti" are transported behind trucks, which are decorated for the occasion.

Center Inauguration of the Jain Center of Greater Boston (Boston, MA)

Community members pause for a moment with the "murti", before the "Tirthankaras" and "mantra" are carried inside. Norwood, 26-28 June 2010

Center Inauguration of the Jain Center of Greater Boston, (Boston, MA)

A member of the JCGB community stands by the murti of Mahavir. According to the principle of the Jain faith, ahimsa or "non-violence" Jains ought to practice non-violence to such an extent that even small insects do not get killed.  It is therefore common for a Jain to wear a cloth over his or her mouth, particularly during religious ceremonies, to prevent oneself from inadvertently inhaling such small creatures. It is typical for a Jain monk to observe this practice at all times. Norwood, 26-28 June 2010

Center Inauguration of the Jain Center of Greater Boston, (Boston, MA)

The mantra, Mahavir, and other Tirthankaras wait together as the community prepares for their arrival at the new temple. Norwood, 26-28 June 2010

Center Inauguration of the Jain Center of Greater Boston, (Boston, MA)

The murti are finally placed in their new home in the temple, where devotees come to pray and meditate. The white marble floor and walls have been assembled by members of the community. Norwood, 26-28 June 2010