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Dr. Sulekh Chand Jain |
Dr. Jain has been active in many religious and social activities within the Jain and non-Jain communities in the U.S.A. and Canada. He is Founder /Co-Founder of several organization and institution in North America such as; Jain Center of Greater Boston (1973), Jain Society of Houston (1981), JAIN DIGEST Magazine (1985), Jinamanjari magazine (1985), JAINA Library (1988), Young Jains of America (1989), Jain Center of Central Ohio at Columbus (1991), Jain Academic Foundation of North America (1994), Mahavir Vision Inc.(1994), JAIN SPIRIT International Magazine (1999), World Council of Jain Academies (1999), JVB Preksha Meditation Center in Houston (1999) and International School for Jain Studies-ISJS (2004).
Dr. Jain is the past Secretary and President of Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) which he served for 8 years and past President of Jain Society of Houston, Jain Center of Cincinnati/Dayton and several other organizations. Currently he is the Chairman of Governing Council of International School for Jain Studies, a senior advisor to Center for Jain Studies at Claremont Lincoln University and a trustee of Mahatma Gandhi Library in Houston, Texas, USA.
He has traveled extensively in India, U.K, Europe, Australia and Asia, met many Jain Leaders world over and participated in many seminars. In 1990, he participated in the International Jain Delegation to Buckingham Palace in London for a meeting and to present Jain Declaration on Ecology and Environment to H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh. In 1993, he participated in the Parliament of World’s Religions Conference in Chicago and also presented a paper there. In November 1997, he presented a paper “Jainism; a Dynamic and Living Religion” and also represented Jainism at The Inter-Religious Federation for World Peace Conference held in Washington, D.C. In July 1998, Dr. Jain organized a World Conference on Jainism and Ecology at Harvard University, which was attended by many top Jain Scholars from USA, Canada, India and U.K including late Dr. L. M. Singhvi and late Dr. Nathmal Tatia. Prior to that, he had participated at two conferences at Harvard University on Multi Culturalism and Pluralism and at an International Seminar on Vedanta and Jainism held at Miami University, Ohio where he made presentations also. In 1999, he participated in the International Seminar on Swami Umaswati and His Works held in New Delhi, India. In addition, he has also participated at several meeting on Animal Rights including the June 1996 March for Animals in Washington, D.C.
He is passionate for introducing the study, teaching and research in Jainism at many universities and colleges in North America, Europe and other countries. Dr. Jain has taught credit hour courses in Jainism at the University of Dayton Ohio. Since 2004, he has been active in International School for Jain Studies (ISJS), an accelerated program on Jain philosophy, history and way of life for the North American University professors and students, which is integrated into academia. In ISJS program, India is the classroom. This is an experience-based program and along with the study of Jainism, the students also experience cultural immersion through home visitations, participations in festivals, rituals, and trips to historic sites in India. Many University students and professors have described the International Jain Summer School program as a unique and life-changing experience. In 2012, the program was expanded to include teachers from Schools in USA who too go to India to study Jainism and ahimsa. So far, nearly 500 teachers, students and professors from more than 25 universities of 15 countries have benefitted from these programs and as a result more than 10 scholars have already completed their PhDs in Jainism and many more are now studying to complete their PhDs. (see www.isjs.in)
Dr Jain has delivered many talks and seminars, authored several papers on Jainism and has provided help and guidance in the publications of at least 4 books on Jainism (Tattavartha Sutra by Dr. Nathmal Tatia, three books in the French language; Lord Mahavira, Aspects of Jainism, The Jains Today in the World by Pierre Amiel) and a set of eight pamphlets on various aspects of Jainism (published by Mahavir Vision, Inc.).
Sulekh Jain has received several academic, professional and cultural awards. In July 2009, he was awarded the JAINA RATNA award; the highest award given by the Federation of Jain Associations in North America for his lifelong services to Jain community. Prior to that in 2007, the International Jain Sangh of USA honored him with its Award of Excellence.
Sulekh Jain has been active in Jain community for the last 60 years. He writes papers and articles on Jain community issues and related topics and is frequently invited to give talks at many places in North America, Europe and in India.
During his entire life, even though he was born in a particular Jain tradition (sect), Dr. Jain has believed, practiced, preached, propagated and supported whole heartily the concept and creation of a one unified, non-sectarian, cohesive, dynamic, responsive, forward looking and visionary Jain Sangh in North America that is free from sectarianism and regionalism.
He has lived past 49 years of his life in UK and USA; more than 45 years in USA only. He is active and proactive to preach and practice ahimsa as a way of life and he himself follows a nearly vegan life style.
Professionally, Dr. Jain has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. He has taught at several Universities in India, U.K and USA (including at M.I.T) and retired in 1998 from GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has nine US and International technical patents and authored or co-authored more than 50 technical papers and technical books.
He and his wife Mrs. Ravi Jain of more than 53 years have been living in Houston, Texas, USA since 1998.
