#  Jainism in America  

 



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  [### V.R. Gandhi at the World’s Parliament of Religions

 ](/vr-gandhi-at-the-world%E2%80%99s-parliament-of-religions) Virchand Raghavji Gandhi became the first Jain to travel to the United States for the World’s Parliament of Religions, which took place in Chicago in 1893. Download (PDF) The entry hall of the new Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago contains a bronze... 

 

 

   ![V.R. Gandhi at the World's Parliament of Religions](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/vr_gandhi_at_the_worlds_parliament.jpg?itok=hrNzGS5A) 

 



 

 

   [### Jain Immigration

 ](/jain-immigration) Ethically prohibited from engaging in agriculture, over the years Jains have worked in business and professional trades. Jains have made new communities in the UK, in East Africa (especially Kenya), and in the United States and Canada. Download (PDF) Jain... 

 

 

   ![Jain Immigration](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/jain_immigration_copy.jpg?h=3e1188bc&itok=6Wca-VHs) 

 



 

 

   [###  Building Temples and Networks

 ](/building-temples-and-networks) The first Jain center in the United States opened in 1966 in New York City with twenty families. This center now serves over 400 members, and approximately 100 other Jain centers have been established throughout America. Download (PDF) Gradually, the Jain... 

 

 

   ![Building Temples and Networks](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/building_temples_and_networks.jpg?itok=tW9DEUNt) 

 



 

 

   [### Jain Teachers in the New World

 ](/jain-teachers-in-the-new-world) While most Jain monastics remained in India, two Jains with monastic experience made the journey to America. In 1971 Muni (a term used to refer to certain Jain monks) Chitrabhanu ceased his monastic life, became a lay teacher, and moved to America... 

 

 

   ![Jain Teachers in the New World](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/jain_teachers_in_the_new_world.jpg?itok=oYFV4NFP)