Mrs. Evelyn S. Kleinschmidt was an American figure in the early 20th century notable for her involvement with the study and teaching of Jainism, particularly through her establishment of the "School of the Jaina Doctrine" in Maywood, Illinois, USA. She corresponded with Indian Jain scholars and played a key role in spreading the knowledge of Jainism in America, teaching classes and expressing deep enthusiasm for the subject. Letters from and about her show that she was highly committed to understanding and promoting Jain philosophy, finding it spiritually fulfilling and describing key Jain texts as transformative in her personal writings. Jainism Advocacy • Evelyn S. Kleinschmidt founded the School of the Jaina Doctrine in Maywood, Illinois, to teach principles of Jainism to Americans. • Her correspondence with scholars, especially C. R. Jain, highlighted her commitment to spreading Jain Dharma and her satisfaction at having discovered its teachings. Personal Reflections • Kleinschmidt described texts like "Key of Knowledge" as "a veritable goldmine" for spiritual understanding and wrote that she found great peace and happiness in studying Jain philosophy. • She engaged in teaching, correspondence, and writing to further the awareness of Indian religious thought among Western audiences. Historical Context • Her activities are mentioned in Indian and diaspora publications from the 1930s, reflecting early efforts to introduce Eastern philosophies to the West in a structured way. • She is best remembered for her dedication to Jainism as a student, teacher, and ground breaker in religious education across cultures. Mrs. Evelyn S. Kleinschmidt was deeply involved in the dissemination of Jain philosophy in the United States during the early 1930s, particularly through her role as the founder of the School of the Jaina Doctrine in Maywood, Illinois. According to accounts from scholars like C. R. Jain, she began teaching classes on Jainism and showed remarkable enthusiasm and dedication, believing that Jain teachings profoundly contributed to spiritual well-being and peace of mind. Kleinschmidt described Jain texts such as the "Key of Knowledge" as transformative, frequently referencing how they provided answers to spiritual questions and brought her a sense of happiness and purpose. She not only taught but also actively engaged in correspondence with significant figures in Jain scholarship, facilitating the renown of Jain principles among her students by spreading knowledge through her network. Her letters reveal a personal commitment to continually deepening her understanding of Jain philosophy, using her experiences and studies to help others find similar fulfillment. C. R. Jain noted that she had already attracted several interested students even before officially starting her classes, and she was known for handing out informational cards and cultivating contacts to foster the study of Jain doctrine. Kleinschmidt’s activities are documented in periodicals and reports from the Indian diaspora, highlighting her as an early pioneer in cross-cultural religious education. Her work represented a notable bridge between Indian spiritual thought and Western audiences.
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The Jaina Gazette
Vol. 31 · No. 1
The Jaina Gazette
Vol. 31 · No. 1