The history of Jainism in Australia is relatively short when compared to the history of Christianity on the same continent. There are four Jain centres in Australia.[2] The Jain population in Australia was counted in the 2016 census to be 4,047, of whom 38% lived in Greater Sydney, 31% in Greater Melbourne, and 15% in Greater Perth.[3] The states and territories with the highest proportion of Jains are Western Australia (0.025%) and Victoria (0.022%), whereas those with the lowest are Queensland (0.006%) and Tasmania (0.001%).[4] As per the latest census (2021), the Jain population in Australia is 5,851, which is a 44.5% increase between 2016-2021.[5]
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 5,851[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| English Indian Languages | |
| Religion | |
| Jainism |
History
editThe Jain community established itself in Australia through immigration.[6] A Jain society has been formed in Sydney.[7]
Exodus of Asians from Uganda in 1972 due to Idi Amin's policies, forced some Jains to migrate elsewhere, like Australia.[8][9]
Jain Centres
editJain centres and/or societies have been established in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Melbourne. Most of the centres practice Jain unity by making sure every Jain sect comes and prays together. The first two Jain Tirthankars in Australia were established in Hindu temples in Sydney and in Canberra.[10][11] First Jain association in Australia was formed in Sydney and named Sydney Jain Mandal.[12] Another Jain association in Sydney is known as Vitraag Jain Shwetambar Sangh [13] There is also a community-driven centre — AAJ (meaning 'Today' in Hindi) that serves Jain community in Australia. [14]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Dundas 2002, p. 271.
- ^ "Welcome to Jains in Australia!". Jains.australians.com. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ "Census Table Builder". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 8 July 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Census TableBuilder - Dataset: 2016 Census - Cultural Diversity". Australian Bureau of Statistics – Census 2016. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (4 July 2022). "Religious affiliation in Australia". www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Wiley, Kristi L. (2004). Historical Dictionary of Jainism - Kristi L. Wiley - Google Books. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810850514. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ Shah, Natubhai (2004). Jainism: The World of Conquerors - Natubhai Shah - Google Books. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. ISBN 9788120819382. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence - Google Books. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 9788120815346. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ "on www.jainsamaj.org ( Jainism, Ahimsa News, Religion, Non-Violence, Culture, Vegetarianism, Meditation, India. )". Jainsamaj.org. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ "Jains in Australia".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Jains in Australia".
- ^ "Jains in Australia".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "VJSS".
- ^ "AAJ".
Works cited
edit- Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992], The Jains (Second ed.), London and New York: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-26605-5