Jain Bhawan: Its Aims and Objects

This section profiles Jain Bhawan, a cultural and educational institution founded in 1945 in Kolkata’s Burrabazar neighbourhood to promote Jainism. The article notes that the Bhawan’s mission is to rationally establish the greatness of Jainism, spread its glory through new knowledge and foster intellectual, moral and literary pursuits. It aims to teach Jain philosophy to the public and encourage research on Jain religion and philosophy. To realise these objectives, Jain Bhawan runs several programmes. It operates the Jain Shikshalaya school, which follows the West Bengal Board curriculum and integrates moral education; the school has about 550 students and 25 teachers. Recognising modern needs, the Bhawan offers vocational and physical classes—tailoring, embroidery, fine arts, judo, karate and yoga—to students and local residents; these classes are popular among women in Burrabazar. The institution maintains a large library with over 10,000 books on Jainism and about 3,000 rare manuscripts and subscribes to around 100 periodicals and journals to keep members abreast of contemporary religious thought. In its role as a research institution, the Bhawan publishes three journals: *Jain Journal* (English), *Titthayara* (Hindi) and *Śramana* (Bengali); these periodicals disseminate scholarly knowledge and have gained recognition. The article also mentions that Jain Bhawan organises seminars, conferences and cultural events, fostering dialogue among scholars and promoting the study of Jainism. By combining traditional values with modern education and vocational training, the institution helps students and community members develop moral character, practical skills and an appreciation of Jain heritage. The article concludes that Jain Bhawan has become a vital centre for preserving and propagating Jain philosophy in eastern India.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.