Jain Bhawan: Its Aims and Objects

Summary

'Jain Bhawan: Its Aims and Objects' is an informative profile of the Jain Bhawan, a research and cultural centre established in 1945 in Kolkata’s Burrabazar area by eminent members of the Jain community. The article begins by situating the institution historically, noting that for over fifty‑eight years it has served as a steady stream for disseminating Jain philosophy and religion in eastern India. The objectives of the Jain Bhawan are enumerated: to establish the greatness of Jainism rationally, to spread its glory with new knowledge, to promote intellectual, moral and literary pursuits, to impart lessons on Jainism among the public, and to encourage research on Jain religion and philosophy. To achieve these goals, the Jain Bhawan runs various programmes across educational, cultural and scholarly fields. The article describes the Jain Shikshalaya, a school that offers education following the West Bengal Board syllabi and integrates moral education based on Jain teachings. With a student body of about 550 and 25 teachers, the school aims to cultivate ethical values alongside academic excellence. Recognising the need to equip students for contemporary society, the Bhawan also conducts vocational and physical classes in tailoring, stitching, embroidery, judo, karate and yoga, open to outsiders as well. Its library, considered a treasure trove, holds more than 10,000 books on Jainism, its literature, philosophy and about 3,000 rare manuscripts. Members can consult an extensive list of books and manuscripts, and the library subscribes to around 100 periodicals and journals from around the world to keep members informed of modern thinking in religious studies. The Bhawan’s publishing activities include books like the Bhagavati Sutra (edited with translation), Essence of Jainism and various titles in Hindi, Bengali and English. It also produces journals such as the English‑language Jain Journal and the Bengali magazine Sramana, both edited by Professor Satya Ranjan Banerjee. Seminars and symposia organised by the Bhawan bring together eminent scholars to discuss Jain philosophy and the Jain way of life. The institution grants scholarships to researchers and maintains a computer centre, established in February 1998, to encourage self‑reliance in education and to facilitate the propagation of Jainism via digital media. Finally, the Bhawan houses the Jainology and Prakrit Research Institute, providing a premier venue for scholars to conduct research. The article concludes with an appeal for continued support from the community to sustain the Bhawan’s noble endeavours.