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BRAMPTON: Though they are not huge in numbers in the almost two-million-strong Indo-Canadian community, Jains – called the diamond people as they control India’s diamond industry – still are a very visible segment of the Indian-origin population in Canada.
“There are about 15,000 Jains in the GTA and not more than 50,000 across Canada. Our people started coming to Canada in the mid-sixties, mostly from Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP and Delhi,” says Dr Raj Patil, vice president of the Adinath Swamy Jain Temple in Brampton.
He counts Sach Jain, Gyan Chand Jain and Sudhirbhai Talsania among the most prominent members and successful businessmen from the Jain community in Canada.
“In fact, Gyan Chand Jain is the biggest financial supporter of this temple. He took the initiative to build this temple,” says Dr Patil.
Jainism – the most pacifist of the world’s religions – dates back more than seven thousand years, with stress on good karma, non-violence and vegetarianism.
“We have very old traditions and always want to maintain them. This is the purpose of our three Jain temples in the GTA, one each in Vancouver and Calgary and maybe some makeshift home temples in Ottawa and Montreal serve,” says Dr Raj.
Today, this Adinath Swami Jain Temple in Brampton not only serves as a community place for propagation of Jain traditions to the new generation in the diaspora but it also stands a major symbol of the presence of this enterprising community in the GTA.
Built over 15,000 square-feet on Mayfield Road, this architecturally beautiful three-storeyed temple complex comprises the sanctum sanctorum on the third floor where Jain deities are displayed and a ground-floor hall which serves as a community kitchen as well as a venue for cultural events.
“The third-floor main temple – or the sanctum sanctorum – has three main deities in a sitting posture on the altar. The 51-inch tall pratima (idol) of Bhagwan Shri Adinath Swami sits in the middle under a marble canopy. He was the first of the 24 Jain Jain lords (thirthankars/ masters). On his each side are the 41-inch tall idols of Shri Mahavira Swami and Shri Shantinath Swami. On each side of the altar are the idols of Munishri Bhahubali and Shri Bharat Bhagwan ji. This place can accommodate up to 300 people at a time,” explains Dr Patil.
All these idols were carved out of a single piece of white marble in Jaipur and shipped to Canada.
Interestingly, before they enter the main temple all devotees pray at a 52-foot-tall marble tower – called Mana Sthambh – which houses four idols at the top and four in the middle.
“This tower is called the `column of honour.” Devotees first shed their ego and false pride here before entering the main temple. Made of white marble from Sirohi in Rajasthan, it was donated by local Jain businessman Sudhirbhai Talsania,” explains Dr Patil.
Apart from meeting the spiritual needs of the Jain community, this temple also serves as a learning centre for Jain traditions.
The temple runs a school where over 100 children from the ages of five to 15 are taught about Jainism. It also invites experts on Jainism to lecture here.
“Though the Mahavir Jayanthi in April each year is the biggest celebration when special pujas are held and a procession taken out, this temple is a busy place every Sunday as people come for prayers and other events. Families also sponsor meals on Sundays,” according to Patil.
Interestingly, the priest at this Jain temple is a Brahmin from Delhi – Pandit Chanderbhan Mishra.
As Pandit Mishra explains, “My uncle served as a priest at a Jain temple in Delhi for 50 years. When he left, I took over from him in 2001 and served there till 2018 when I called to serve at this temple. My family is still in India and I visit them regularly.”
Pandit Mishra is the only full-time employee of this temple.
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