Federation of Jain Associations in North America

The Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) is a federation of 65 Jain organizations representing more than 100,000 Jains living in the USA and Canada without any distinction based on sect, language, or region. It was initiated at the first Jain Convention in 1981 in Los Angeles under the guidance of Shri Chitrabhanuji and the late Acharya Sushil Kumarji and formed at the second Jain Convention in New York in 1983.

Since that time JAINA has striven to foster brotherhood, friendship, and unity among various Jain communities and to preserve, protect, and promote Jain heritage. JAINA has also been very active in forging relationships with interfaith and multifaith organizations. JAINA headquarters are located in Getzville, New York but Jain Centers can be found in over half of the 50 states. JAINA functions through more than 300 Volunteers from all corners of North America.

Lately JAINA has been very active in developing and publishing educational materials for Jain children so that they are able to more fully understand their Jain heritage. The organization is also working to create liaisons with academic institutions in North America to expand the scope of Jain studies. They supported the formation of the Ahimsa Center at California State Polytechnic University and are in the process of looking at programs at Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania.

JAINA became a member of Religions for Peace-USA to help better fulfill its interfaith mission. This past May JAINA graciously hosted a meeting of the Executive Council of Religions for Peace-USA in the beautiful new Jain Center of America in Flushing, Queens. Nearly 30 persons in attendance were treated to a tour of the Temple and introduction to Jainism. JAINA has also been working closely with Religions for Peace International in preparation for the VIIIth World Assembly of Religions for Peace in Kyoto, Japan.