Schaumburg: The 23rd Biennial JAINA Convention, held from July 3 to 6 in Schaumburg, Illinois, drew over 5,000 attendees from 72 Jain centres across North America, marking the largest Jain gathering outside India in recent history.Organised by the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) and the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC), the event centered on the theme "Unity in Diversity: A Path to Peace," emphasising core Jain principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantvad (pluralism), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
The convention commenced with a spiritual Temple Dwar Ceremony, featuring a replica of the sacred Ashtapad mountain, followed by a vibrant Grand Cultural Procession outside the convention centre. Daily activities included Prekṣā meditation and yoga sessions, alongside breakout discussions covering diverse ṣ topics from veganism to spiritual intelligence.
Youth engagement was particularly strong, with approximately 900 young adults participating in various programmes, including the competitive Jain Academic Bowl. A dedicated Kids Club provided faith-based learning for over 200 children. Community impact was also evident, with a blood donation drive collecting enough units to potentially save 276 lives. Inspiring messages came from keynote speakers such as Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless pilot, who shared her experiences of overcoming challenges. Evening events included an address by Bollywood actor Sonu Sood on compassion and humanitarianism, complemented by a Broadway-style production bringing Jain stories to life through music and drama. The seamless execution of the four-day event was attributed to over 300 volunteers across 40 committees, highlighting the robust community effort behind this landmark gathering.
