Jainism Gains Traction In Japan, Thousands Travel To India To Transition From Zen To Jain

Inspired by the spiritual thought of Jainism, many people living in Japan are travelling all the way to India to convert from Zen to the Jain religion. 

According to a TOI report, many Japanese people are opting to live like astute Jains. From wrapping a white loincloth, chanting the Navkar Mantra, eating before sunset and drinking warm water, to meditating for hours at derasars in Japan (Jain temple), they are doing it all. 

The town of Naganoken, home to the seventh century Zenko-Ji temple with a hidden Buddha, sees hundreds of Japanese nationals travel to Palitana and Shankheswar in Gujarat, to embrace Jainism every year.  

TOI

Most of these people initially were followers of Zen. For those unaware, Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty, the are known as the Chan School, and later developed into various schools.

 After Naganoken, the popularity of Jainism is spreading in Osaka and Tokyo too. Not only have thousands of Japanese turned to Jainism, but many are taking up monkhood.

 Under normal practice, initiation into monkhood comes after immense training. The initiates live with monks in temples and the preparatory phase can last anywhere between six months and 10 years, says Babulal Jain-Ujwal, an expert in Jainism.  

Just a month ago, 2,500 Japanese travelled to Tharad in northern Gujarat and spent a week there with the disciples of Jayant Sensuriswarji Maharaj Saheb.

“There are a number of Japanese coming here in large numbers. They follow all our rules, pray with us, eat Satvik food before the sun sets, mediate and go back home to follow the same lifestyle we induct them into,” said Nityasen Suriswarji Maharaj Saheb.

“A new temple is being planned in Japan and now we are told there are more than 5,000 families are newly inducted into Jainism,” he added.

  Churushi, who has changed her name as Tulsi, wanted to take Deeksha (renunciation). “My guru entrusted me with a bigger task: To spread Jainism across Japan. Every month, since then I have been travelling to India four to five times a year with hundreds of Japanese who are ready to embrace Jainism,” Tulsi said. 

  Another group of Japanese nationals is expected to travel to Gujarat next week. The Japanese are also taking Hindi tutorials to understand the intricacies of the religious texts, said Jain-Ujwal.