Jain Culture Center of Antwerp

The Jain Culture Center of Antwerp, also known as the Jain Culture Center of Antwerpen was formed in 1992.
Though Jains have been living in Antwerp since the 1960's, this was a concentrated effort by 12 committee members and 52 founder members to establish a center in Antwerp where Jains can worship in a purpose build temple and meditation hall.
In 2001 land was purchased to build a temple and meditation hall, in the district of Wilrijk within the city of Antwerp.
By 2010 the temple was ready and the rites were carried out to start using it as a place of worship.
The Jain Culture Center of Antwerp, also known as JCCA is a member led not for profit organisation with a goal to preserve the Jain culture for current and future generations of Jains in Antwerp.
Temple Complex
The temple complex is a focal point of the community in Antwerp. It consists of many different areas with specialized functions.
Temple
The Jain Temple is the focal point, built according to principals of jainism. Entire temple was built in India, dismanteled, shipped to Antwerp, and rebuilt on location.
Upasara
A large meditation hall using for meditation as well as talks by cultural leaders
Library
A room for reading as well as for seminars where textbooks are available on Jainism. Books are available in Gujarati, Hindi, English, and Sanskrit.
Bhojanshaala
A venue with attached large kitchen used for the swami vatsalya's, and the varsi taps, aymbil oli as well as other events.
Meditation hall
A smaller meditation hall that is used for seminars for adults.
Future Generations
Paathshala
Sunday school for children of the community, run and organised by mothers of the community, where they learn about Jainism, memorize religius text's and understand the meaning behind the religpous activites they carry out.
Currently as on 2019 over 200 children regularly attend this Sunday school, it is targeted to children ages 6 and over.
Gurukula
Holiday camp carried out in November, April, and July where children learn key elements to understand the fundamentals of a balanced life, as well as spiritual and religious texts.
This is one of the few gurukulas of its kind available outside of India.
Non-Jain Events Hosted by JCCA.
To celebrate diversity and multi-culterism, the JCCA has also hosted non-jain speakers. What these speakers all have in common is that they share and discuss on the core values of Jainism, which are,
* ahimsa - non violence
* anekantavada - non singularity view point
* aparighra - non possessivness
Speakers that have had the privilage to talk at the main meditation hall of the JCCA include,
* Venkaiah Naidu - Vice President of Republic of India.
* Ravi Shankar - Founder of Art of Living Foundation.
* Shivani Verma - Leader from Brahma Kumaris Movement

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