The World’s First VEGAN Jain Temple!

A Jain temple in Anaheim, California is the world’s first vegan and pure ahimsa temple! The Jain Centre Of Southern California in Buena Park is the only one in the world that doesn’t serve or use dairy and animal products.

The exteriors of the JCSC

_{image courtesy jainsamaj.org}

Ahimsa is a central tenet of the Jain religion, which is evident in their diets – but dairy is usually consumed.

The temple has been around since 1979 and has been associated with several firsts, including the first Jain convention of North America. The decision to serve only vegan food was put forth by JCSC temple president Jashwant Modi a while ago, and the centre encourages their devotees to consume vegan food at home as well.

Devotees at the temple

image courtesy OC Register

Activist Dolly-Vyas Ahuja, who was at the temple on a speaking engagement, uploaded a video on Facebook encouraging all temples to forego dairy products.

"This is my dream – that all Jain temples and all Hindu temples take the pledge of being a pure ahimsa temple and get rid of all dairy products. This temple is at the forefront of change."

Dolly Vyas Ahuja, Ahimsa Activist

It takes a bold move to induce change – and we’re sure the ripple effects of being a pure vegan, pure ahimsa temple will encourage more institutions, religious and otherwise, to follow suit.

*Featured image courtesy OC Register

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