The

Jain Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...

community celebrated a presence of 100 years in Singapore marking the occasion by rededicating the "Stanak" and consecrating the idol of

Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6 ...

. This brings together the two main sects of Jains - Svetambara and

Digambara ''Digambara'' (; "sky-clad") is one of the two major schools of Jainism, the other being '' Śvētāmbara'' (white-clad). The Sanskrit word ''Digambara'' means "sky-clad", referring to their traditional monastic practice of neither possessing ...

. 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. , there are 1,500 Jains in Singapore.

History

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

Jain unity

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

Singapore Tamil Jains Forum

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

External links

Singapore Jain Religious Society
{{Asia in topic, Jainism in

Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bor ...

Religion in Singapore Jain communities