Are there international initiatives by institutions that are promoting Jain knowledge in places where there is little or no Jain presence, such as South America and Brazil?
Yes. There are international efforts by Jain institutions to promote Jain knowledge and practice beyond India, including in regions with smaller or newer Jain presence.
- Siddhachalam Jain Tirth (New Jersey, USA) is a major Jain center abroad and serves as a hub for education, meditation, and cultural activities, helping spread Jain philosophy outside India. You can read more here
- Jain Vishva Bharati (New Jersey, USA) offers programs in Jain philosophy, Preksha meditation, and related education, contributing to international Jain learning. You can read more here
- Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh (Australia) has established a Jain temple and runs religious and educational activities for the local diaspora, promoting Jain teachings in a country with a growing Jain community. You can read more here
In other continents, there are similarly active centers that promote Jain learning and practice internationally (including centers in North America and Europe). You can read more about these types of centers here:
- JAIN Center for Northern California and other U.S. centers promoting Jain education and temple-based learning. You can read more here
- Melbourne and other diaspora centers expanding Jain knowledge in their regions. You can read more here
Regarding South America and Brazil specifically: there are no widely documented large Jain institutions with dedicated temples or universities promoting Jain knowledge there in the same way as Siddhachalam or Melbourne, based on current JainKnowledge listings. Local Jain activities tend to be smaller or connected to wider Jain diaspora networks, rather than standalone international institutes. If you’d like, I can keep an eye out for new developments and share any new entries as soon as they appear on JainKnowledge.