A radiant odyssey of Jain dharma illuminates Chicago

By Hemant Shah

Chicago, IL: The 23rd Biennial JAINA Convention, held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, Illinois, unfolded this month as a magnificent tapestry of spiritual awakening, cultural splendor, and communal unity, drawing over 5,000 delegates from 72 Jain Centers across the United States and Canada, and attendees from 10 other countries including India, UK, Germany, Oman, Dubai, and Kenya.

The closing ceremony opened with blessings from Jain spiritual leaders whose words radiated wisdom and peace.

This was presumably the largest gathering of Jains outside India in recent history, and also the first time that a North American city had the distinction of holding the JAINA Convention for the fourth time.

From July 3-6, 2025, this transformative four-day celebration, hosted by the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) in collaboration with the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC), radiated the timeless principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantvad (multiple viewpoints), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) under the theme “Unity in Diversity: A Path to Peace".

The Temple Dwar Opening Ceremony captivated a large crowd with the breathtaking Ashtapad, a unique creation featuring 24 Tirthankaras.

The convention launched with a vibrant flourish on July 3, setting a divine tone for the journey ahead. Registration opened early, welcoming a global influx of attendees with seamless efficiency. The afternoon’s Temple Dwar Opening Ceremony captivated a large crowd with the breathtaking Ashtapad, a unique creation featuring 24 Tirthankaras, adorned with soulful chants and rituals that immersed participants in Jainism’s sacred ethos. The Exhibition Inauguration Ceremony followed, showcasing Jain art, literature, and artifacts, bridging generations and igniting curiosity about Jain heritage.

The event featured a vibrant array of cultural performances.

The South Parking area transformed into a vibrant spectacle with a Grand Cultural Procession, featuring intricately decorated cars, a Mahila Mandal welcome dance, and a youth dance performance, all under the banner of an airplane soaring overhead to herald the convention. This colorful parade embodied the Jain community’s unity and joy, captivating onlookers.

Acharya Dr Lokesh Muniji’s call for global Ahimsa inspired the audience.

The evening’s Opening Ceremony was a spiritual and artistic masterpiece, featuring a soulful welcome by Convener Atul Shah. Co-Conveners Vipul Shah and Jignesh Jain orchestrated the blessings from revered Jain leaders, including Pujya Acharya Dr Lokesh Muniji, Pujya Saman Shrutpragyaji, Pujya Dr Samani Pratibha Pragyaji, Pujya Sadhvi Shilapiji, and others. Acharya Lokesh Muniji’s keynote on Ahimsa’s global relevance inspired attendees to champion peace. The Sthulibhadra & Kosha – Nritya Natika, a Broadway-style JAINA and JSMC production, brought Jain narratives to life, weaving love, renunciation, and spiritual awakening into a mesmerizing performance.

A tapestry of wisdom and connection

The second day dawned with serene yoga and meditation sessions, led by Samani Dr Pratibha Pragyaji and Samani Punya Pragyaji, guiding attendees through Prekṣā meditation to foster inner peace. In parallel, Mayuri Bhandari’s invigorating yoga session blended physical vitality with spiritual harmony, energizing over 400 attendees. In the morning, registration ensured smooth access to a packed schedule.

The Main Stage came alive with welcomes from JAINA President Bindesh Shah and JSMC President Pragnesh Shah, followed by Pujya Dr Gyanvatsal Swamiji’s stirring keynote on spiritual resilience. Acharya Dr Lokesh Muniji’s call for global Ahimsa inspired the audience, while Manu Shah’s insights on compassion resonated deeply.

The Jains Got Talent (JGT) Semi-Final Rounds, where Jain youth and adults showcased electrifying performances in song and dance, orchestrated by luminaries like Sanjay Bhandari. A breakout session welcomed the International Alumni Association of Mahavir Jain Vidyalay (IAAMJV), strengthening educational ties. A blood drive, launched on this day and continuing daily, collected blood from donors, potentially impacting about 276 lives, embodied Jainism’s commitment to compassion.

The afternoon featured a vibrant array of sessions by Dr Tej Sahebji and Dr Faraz Harsini’s “The Most Urgent Act of True Ahimsa: What We Eat”, championing veganism. Dr Sonal Jain Jayaswal’s “Spiritual Intelligence” and Hemang Srikishan’s “Energy Healing for Jains” drew packed crowds. A panel on parenting with Jain principles, featuring Seema Jain and others, fostered deep bonds. Additional sessions by Swanubhuti Jain, Rikin Shah, and Acharya Manishji explored diverse themes, from spiritual liberation to Ayurveda.

In the afternoon, Samani Dr Pratibha Pragyaji and Sadhvi Shilapiji delivered transformative teachings on the Main Stage. NY Jain Sangh’s Parshwanath Bhagwan Samovasaran presentation captivated attendees with Jain cosmology. Further sessions included Dr Tushar Mehta on ecological crises, Surbhi Pandya on breathwork, and Girish Mehta on crisis care.

The Women Empowerment Forum, featuring Judge Neera Bahl and others, inspired with stories of resilience. Vimal Shah, CEO of Bidco Africa, presented his keynote and inspired many on entrepreneurship. In the evening entertainment, the “Om Hrim Aim Namaha” skit presented by JSMC Pathasala kids, and the “Festivals of World” program, presented by various Jain Centers, paired with sangeet by Ashish Mehta and Vaibhav Doshi, left the 5,000-strong audience in a frenzy of joy.

A spiritual and cultural supernova

Day three erupted with uncontainable energy, beginning with Prekṣā meditation and yoga. The Main Stage came alive with a morning program that was both inspiring and uplifting. The session opened with a welcome by the Mayor of Schaumburg, followed by a keynote address by Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless pilot, whose extraordinary journey of overcoming physical limitations to achieve greatness left the audience in awe.

The prestigious JAINA Awards honored individuals whose contributions strengthened the community.

Following her, Distinguished Religious Speaker Saman Shrut Pragyaji delivered a discourse that wove together spiritual wisdom and practical guidance, urging attendees to live with compassion and purpose. The morning continued with JAINA programs, showcasing the organization’s initiatives to promote Jain values, and culminated in the prestigious JAINA Awards, recognizing individuals whose contributions have strengthened the community.

The afternoon unfolded as a vibrant mosaic of sessions, each designed to explore the intersections of spirituality, innovation, and community action. A dynamic panel discussion on Unity & Diversity, Pinkesh Shah’s Digital Karma: How AI Shapes Our Choices and Our Souls challenged attendees to consider the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Pujya Samani Punya Pragyaji’s Live Like an Arhat offered a transformative perspective on living a life of purity and detachment, drawing from the lives of Jain Tirthankaras.

Concurrently, in other sessions, Surbhi Pandya presented Reverse Chronic Diseases and Aging – Without Medicines and Supplements, Pujya Acharya Dr Lokesh Muniji’s Strength in Unity underscored the power of collective action in strengthening the Jain community, Swanubhuti Jain’s Unfollow to Unlock – a Selective Fool Strategy, Shrenik Gala’s Shivmastu Sarv Jagatah: A Path to Global Peace explored how Jainism’s universal principles can inspire global harmony, while Jinay Shah’s Ekta ne Vikalp Nahi: Jain Unity in Diversity reinforced the importance of unity as a cornerstone of community strength.

Another session featured Dr Darshita Shah, MLA from Gujarat, who discussed Jainism & Rajdharma – Art of Balance. These sessions collectively ignited a spark of introspection and action among attendees. The Jain Centers Liaison Committee (JCLC) met, and further sessions by Dr Pritesh Mutha, Dr Bipin Doshi, and others explored stress, Jainism, and astronomy. Group meetings for various committees concluded in the afternoon.

The Sthulibhadra & Kosha – Nritya Natika, a Broadway style JAINA and JSMC production, brought Jain narratives to life.

Starting the evening on Day 3, the Convention co-convener and JSMC Chairman Vipul Shah addressed the convention with details of planning, organizing, and execution over a two-year period. Convention Co-Convener and JSMC Trustee Jignesh Jain fondly shared the rich history of Jains in North America and the key role that Chicago has played in these milestones. The evening’s cultural program was a supernova, with Bollywood icon Sonu Sood delivering a heart-stirring address on compassion and charitable causes. Stand-up comedian Sugandha Mishra anchored with infectious wit, weaving performances by superstar TV singers Rishi Singh, Atharva, Avirbhav, Khushi, and Anjana Padmnabham, alongside Rex D’Souza’s enthralling support.

A resplendent finale

The final half-day began with Pranayama and meditation by Pujya Saman Shrut Pragyaji, setting a serene tone. The Closing Ceremony on the Main Stage drew all attendees, opening with blessings from Jain spiritual leaders whose words radiated wisdom and peace. Sparsh Shah’s keynote, a blend of musical talent and resilience, ignited inspiration, urging attendees to live with purpose and compassion.

Kids Club Chair Dimple Shah and Co-Chair Radhika Jaina's thoughtful leadership and planning laid the foundation for an incredible week. With the support of a passionate team of volunteers, they created a space where fun met faith, and learning met joy for over 200 younger kids ages 6 to 13.

All the youth programs were organized at the Hyatt Regency location, including Young Jains of America (YJA) with 475 young adults, Young Jain Professionals (YJP) with over 200 professionals, and Jain Connect with about 200 adults, fostered leadership, bonding, professional development and companionship, under the leadership of Piyush Gandhi, JSMC Past President. The Jain Academic Bowl (JAB) – a jeopardy-style competition, showcased academic excellence with participation from close to 20 teams.

Every two years, JAINA recognizes an individual from North America for their outstanding contributions to the Jain community and humanity at large with the JAINA Ratna Award. This year's award was presented to Mahesh Wadher (2nd right) from California, USA. Mahesh Wadher, a visionary leader, has made significant contributions to JAINA and JCSC, impacting education, health, and social welfare through his philanthropy, passion, and humble service. Despite growing up without access to Jain temples, he embraced his heritage to become a beacon of service. As JAINA President, he created transformative initiatives like the Vaiyavach Committee and JAINA India Foundation, expanding the organization's reach in both the US and India.

[Contributing Editors: Dhiren Solanki, Jignesh Jain, Vipul Shah, Suresh Bodiwala]

(All photos courtesy: JAINA Convention 2025/X@Munilokesh)