"Jains and Sikhs : An Unique Bonding of Togetherness"

By Shobhna Jain | Posted on 16th Nov 2019 | English

Las Vegas/US, Nov15 (VNI/Dr. Harvinder Singh Sahota/Dr. Sulekh C. Jain) Jainism is one of the oldest religion and Sikhism is youngest religion of world, yet here is so much in common between Jainism and Sikhism. Since the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and inception of Sikhism, Jains and Sikhs have been working and walking together. This is a living and true example of Interfaith dialog, Inter-dependence, Co- existence, Respect, Cooperation, Sharing, Caring and Helping each other. All Jain Teeranthakars and all Sikh Gurus are apostle of Peace, harmony, coexistence and propogate respect between all religions and human beings. Incidentally it may be mentioned that on Nov, 9 th to celebrate the 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, India and Pakistan Governments inaugurated the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor connecting the two holiest Sikh Shrines in India and Pakistan,Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan.This has already enabled thousands of devotees from india and all over the world to go to this Holy places easily and hold on,what a pleasant co incident between two religions that on Nov 8 th jain devotees all over the world celebrated Nirvan Divas of Teeranthkar Mahavir Swami Ji.Here is one very unique inspiring example of working together. Five years ago, Jain and Sikh community in Los Angeles,US established the first joint Center for study and teaching of Jainism and Sikhism at Loyola Marymount University where studies of both religions are taught by a Sikh professor.

Dr. Niranjan Kaur Khalsa, a Sikh scholar with PhD in Sikhism from University of Michigan Khalsa taught standalone classes in Jainism and Sikkim with separate syllabi. She taught both the religions with equal love, sincerity, passion, dedication and high scholastic contents. Her classes were not only full but there many were students on waiting list. She took her students each semester to the Jain and Sikh temple in Los Angeles. Students liked her very much too. Her performance was beyond our expectation.By working together and learning from each other; these Centers are working to tear down even the symbolic walls that separate them.

We are sure; there are hundreds of such opportunities all around us waiting to be explored and waiting for start.We are sure; there are hundreds of such opportunities all around us waiting to be explored and waiting to start.We are sure; there are hundreds of such opportunities all around us waiting to be explored and waiting for start.

Lot of history of Jains and Sikhs are inter-twined. 2,600 years ago, Bhagwan Mahavir was born in Bihar and Jainism flourished in Bihar. Patna (Bihar) is where lot of Sikh history was made. Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Govind Singh Ji lived in Patna. Guru Govind Singh Ji was born in Patna (Bihar).

350 years ago. According to records, Mr. Salis Rai Johri, a prominent Jain in Patna; hosted Guru Teg Bahadur Ji (Sikh’s 9 th Guru) and his family on his way to Assam. Wife of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, Mata Gujri stayed with this Jain family for several years. In this Jain household Guru Govind Singh Ji (the 10th Guru of Sikh’s) was born and grew up to the age of 6.

According to records, later this Jain family donated a piece of land for the dharamshala and eventually the Sri Patna Sahib Takht (a Sikh Holy place and place of worship) was built there.This same Jain Johri also built a Jain Temple next door. The Jain temple and Sikh Gurudwara on the same land next to each other in the same campus just separated by a simple wall are a unique example of respect for each other and peaceful coexistence .

Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the core Principle of Jains. A Jain is known by the practice of Ahimsa in all his/her Professions and walks of life. Sikhs Practice Ahimsa by Seva (Service to others) to the needy and afflicted in distress and in natural and manmade calamities and their practice of free langars (since last 550 years) throughout the world is the hallmark of Sikhism.VNI