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There are references in Jain texts to various areas of Southeast Asia.[1] During the reign of Samprati, Jain teachers were sent to various Southeast Asian countries.[2]
Prominent Jains (e.g., Jain monk Kshullaka Prayatna Sagar[3]) from India have visited South East Asia for the purpose of representing Jainism, guiding the local Jain community and interacting with the members of other religious faiths, notably Buddhism.
South Korea
There is evidence of Jainsim In Korea:-
There is evidence to suggest that the Bulguksa temple was originally built in the 7th century by a Jain monk named Gyeon Hwon. However, in the 8th century, Buddhism became the dominant religion in Korea, and Bulguksa Temple was converted into a Buddhist temple.
There are a number of features of Bulguksa Temple that suggest that it was originally a Jain temple. For example, the temple's main pagoda, the Dabotap Pagoda, is shaped like a lotus flower, which is a symbol of Jainism. Additionally, the temple's complex layout is said to be based on the design of a Jain pilgrimage site.
The conversion of Bulguksa Temple from a Jain temple to a Buddhist temple is a reflection of the changing religious landscape of Korea in the 8th century. In the 7th century, Jainism was one of the major religions in Korea, but in the 8th century, Buddhism became increasingly dominant. This shift in religious power is likely due to a number of factors, including the influence of Chinese Buddhism and the patronage of the Silla royal family.
Despite its conversion to Buddhism, Bulguksa Temple still retains some of its original Jain features. This makes it a unique and important site for the study of Jainism in Korea.
There is no evidence of Jainism in Brunei.
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The Jain Agamas refer to Southeast Asia as Suvarnabhumi. Kalakacharya, a Jain monk, is said to have visited Burma.[1]
About 5000 Jain families lived in Burma before World War II. Almost all of the families have now left.[4] There are three or four Jain families and a Jain temple in Yangon.[5][6] It was built with romanesque architecture and is located on 29th Street in Latha Township in Old Rangoon.[7] The Yangon Heritage Trust has been lobbying to preserve this temple, along with other prominent landmarks of Old Rangoon.[8]
There is no evidence of Jainism in Cambodia.[9]
A small Jain community exists in Indonesia. The community organises various Jain festivals in Jakarta. The community organisation is called Jain Social Group, Indonesia.[10]
There is no presence of Jainism in Laos.
There are about 2,500 Jains in Malaysia. It is believed some of them came to Malacca in the 15th or 16th century.[11]
The first Jain temple in Malaysia is located at Ipoh, Perak and was consecrated in 2012.[12][13] There is also a Jain temple in Kuala Lumpur.[14] The temple is located in the Bangsar locality of Kuala Lumpur and was built using 4000 kilograms of marble from India.[15] Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam was present during the inauguration of the temple in 2011.[16]
The Jain community actively celebrates Jain festivals like Paryushan.[17][unreliable source?]
There are about 500 Jains living in Hong Kong.They also have a Jain temple.
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Main article: Jainism in Singapore |
Jains have been settled in Singapore since just before the First World War (1910 – 1914).[18] As of 2006, there were 1,000 Jains in Singapore.[19]
Historically, Jain monks took Jain images to Thailand via Sri Lanka. A digambar Jain image is worshipped as an image of Buddha at Chiangmai.[20] However, due to a rigid emphasis on austerity, Jainism did not take root in Thailand.[20]
As of 2011, there are about 600 Jain families in Thailand, mainly in Bangkok.[21][22] The Jain community in Thailand in not united, unlike the Jain communities in Singapore, the United States, and some other countries. Separate Jain temples exist for the Digambara and the Svetmabara Jain communities.[23][unreliable source?] The Digambar Jain Foundation was established in 2007.[24]
The Jain community also sponsors local Thai PhD students to pursue higher studies in Jainism.[25] Some restaurants in Thailand serve Jain food.[26][27]
A majority of the diamond cutting and polishing business in Bangkok is handled by the Jain community.[28]
There is no presence of Jainism in Vietnam.
