Transcript INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR JAIN STUDIES

ISSJS
International Summer School for
Jain Studies
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INTERNATIONAL
SUMMER SCHOOL
FOR JAIN STUDIES
ISSJS
Sponsored by
MAHAVIR VISION, INC. (USA) &
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR
JAIN STUDIES (ISJS), India.
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Jainism as part of South Asian
Studies in North America
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Expansion of South Asian Studies
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Jainism currently has only a miniscule presence
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Increasing interest in pluralism and global affairs
Immigrants from Asia: Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh
Visible presence of India faculty in universities and professions like
medicine, finance etc.
Only 17 researchers among thousands of South Asian experts
Very few programs include instruction on Jainism
Jainism least known and most misunderstood
ISSJS to remedy this
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Wider impact than a Jain Chair
Train and motivate current and future researchers and faculty/teachers
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Motivation: Jainism in the Modern
World
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Jainism has survived and flourished in India in the past
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Jains, even in India, are no longer connected to physical Jain
Centers/Institutes
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Jain students have more exposure to other faiths, and less to Jainism
Traditional methods of passing the heritage may no longer be effective
Jainism overseas faces serious challenges
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Several Jain Centers of learning and practice
Institutions of Acharyas, Temples, Bhattarakas, Yatis, lay scholars
They are a minority within a minority
Difficulty of preserving Jain identity
Modern and creative approaches are needed
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Why Jains Must Use New
Approaches
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Other religions have reached the humanity.
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Hinduism is now known around the world, due to ISCON
etc. Gita is now widely quoted by non-Hindus.
Within 50 years, Christianity has become the most popular
faith in Korea, leaving Buddhism behind.
Jain principles like Ahimsa, Compassion, Vegetarianism,
tolerance have been hijacked by others.
Jains must use modern methods to reach people around
the world.
New generation of Jains must acknowledge their
identity proudly. They should be able to discuss Jains
with non-Jains.
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Building Temples is Not Enough
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Essential components for survival of Jainism
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Scriptures (Jin-Vani) for guidance, Temples for
worship, Monks for leadership, Devoted Shravakas
for support.
Extensive Temple building in recent years
Temples alone will not preserve Jainism
 It is essential to preserve Jain Learning and prepare
competent scholars who will teach Jainism.
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Objectives of ISSJS
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Comprehensive scholarly and experiential introduction
to Jainism
Applicable to academic studies in international
universities, North America in particular
Intensive one month and two month academic
program: philosophy, social aspects, rituals, pilgrimage
Interaction with scholars, monks, lay people and
practitioners
On return ISSJS, supports scholars to carry out further
research.
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ISSJS Approach: Scholarship &
Practical Introduction
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Chaired Professor approach:
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Prohibitive cost for a small community
Benefits localized
Takes very long to implement
Paucity of qualified scholars to fill the chaired position
ISSJS Approach:
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Scholars from multiple institutions
Trains potential teachers and researchers
Encourages graduate students to study Jainism
Student earns credit from the home university
ISSJS trained faculty to offer regular courses in Jainism
Fast track and cost effective
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How ISSJS Scholars will spread
Jainism
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Development of courses for Jains & non-Jains
Research and publications by scholars
Scholars will give lectures and seminars at
Jain institutions in North America and India
 International Conferences
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They will collaborate with Jain scholars in India
and in other countries.
Modernization of Jain Studies in India
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Benefits to Jainism in India
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Scholars in India will interact with international
scholars
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Quality of Jain institutions will improve
Jain scholars will be invited to visit overseas
institutions for talks, collaboration, even faculty
positions.
Jain youth will no longer see Jainism as an oldfashioned, impractical and isolated system.
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International Summer School for Jain
Studies (ISSJS)
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Voluntary, non-government non-profit project
Funded by a few philanthropists in USA, India and
Canada.
Past summer schools
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June - July 2005, 7 Scholars
June - July 2006 , 14 Scholars
June - July 2007 , 33 Scholars
Professors and scholars from the USA, Canada, Russia,
Singapore and Thailand.
Scholars came from about 15 international universities
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2005 Summer School Glimpses
It has been one of the most rewarding
studies that I have undertaken. HF
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2006 Program Glimpses
I am deeply committed to furthering Jain
studies. It is both a personal and academic
commitment AV
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ISSJS 2007 Glimpses
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ISSJS 2008
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Application deadline January 1, 2008
Selection of the scholars in progress
Program expanded to two track
One month, intro to Jainism for Undergrad students
 Two months , Advance study of Jainism for Grad
Students and faculty
 Total # of scholars will be between 30-35 in both tracks
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More Comments by Attendees
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The exposure that the professors and graduate students
have had to so many aspects of Jainism have been such
that our understanding and appreciation of Jain studies
has been deepened and broadened beyond what I
thought was possible. HF.
We all marvel at your skills in “managing” situations
and people. AV
The scholarship & traveling have been incredible. My
work is forever changed. AJ
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Recent Curriculum
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Lectures by Jain scholars and Monks
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Interactions
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History, culture, literature, arts and festivals. (12-14 lectures)
Ontology and metaphysics (10-12)
Karma theory (10-12)
Epistemology (10-12)
Ethics (10-12)
Mahāvīra, his time and contributions (4-6)
Special topics (15-20)
Lay Jains and Jain families, elites and ordinary
Monks. Nuns, scholars
Visits to major Jain pilgrimage sites
One week special project under the guidance of a Jain Scholar
Revisions and refinements in the program each year
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Teaching Methods
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Preparation of lectures in advance by teachers
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Interactive and modern teaching
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Comprehensive lecture notes available in advance to scholars.
students encouraged to ask perceptive questions
Technology: power-point, projector, computers etc.
Evaluations & feedback by both teachers and scholars Daily, weekly, monthly, end of course.
One week special project under supervision of a Jain
Scholar in India.
Visits to Jain temples, homes, Sadhus and Sadhvis
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Selection of Scholars
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Potential participants reached through:
Dept Chairs, Past alumnus, American Acad. of Religions
Convention, ISSJS Web-site, University of Ottawa , Indo Canadian Shastri Institute & personal contacts & network.
Candidates apply along with 2-3 references from their peers and
supervisors/professors.
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The Academic Council reviews the application
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match between ISSJS mission & Candidates career goals
references checked
interviews each candidate on the phone
The Chairman of the Academic Council makes the
final decision.
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Financial Outlay
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On each candidate, ISSJS ( USA & India combined) spends
about $8,000-9,000
Stipend: $1,000 for Grad Students & $1500-2,000 for Professors
Selected books (5+) and notes provided
Travel: Round trip airfare between North America & India
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Full meals & quality lodging in India for 2 months
Limited travel to Jain pilgrimage & historical places
High quality faculty hired and paid
Special Inauguration and Graduation/Valedictory functions.
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What happens after their return to
North America?
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ISSJS Office of Alumni Affairs shall maintain
contacts and follow their progress.
The students write report/research papers to
earn 6-9 credits from their respective university
University Professors
work to establish regular courses in Jainism
 Authoring books, research papers
 Arranging seminars and special lecture
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Significant Acheivements: Samples
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Prof Sarah Hadmack (taught Religious studies: Windward Comm
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Scholars from Singapore & Thailand in 2006. Russia, Cambodia
and Thailand in 2007.
College, University of Hawaii)
 MS Thesis Jain asceticism
 Writing article and chapter on Jain asceticism
 Marcel Parent (PhD scholar Concordia University Montreal)
 Started offering classes in Jainism
 Andrea Jain (Rice University, Houston)
 Teaching section on Jain Diaspora
 Univ.of Houston course: Indian Religion with emphasis on Jainism
 Dr Shugan Jain’s visits to University of Ottawa (host Prof Anne Valley),
Eastern Connecticut State Univ. (host Prof. Hope Fritz)
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Indian Institutions
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Participating institutions
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Bhogi Lal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi
Jain Vidhya Sansthan, Shri Mahavirji (Jaipur Branch), Raj
Jain Vishwa Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Raj
Kundkund Gyanpeeth, Indore, MP
Tulsi Global Meditation Centre, Gurgaon, Haryana
Jain Academic Educational & Research Centre, Mumbai University
National Institute of Prakrit Studies and Research, Shravanbelgola
Naval Veerayatan, Pune, Maharashtra
Manglayatan University, U.P
Lal Bahdur Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi
All India Digambar Jain Education Organization, New Delhi
Parshwanath Vidyapeeth Research Institute, Varanasi
Implementing Organization
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International School for Jain Studies, Delhi
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Supporting Institutes Overseas
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Jain Academic Foundation of North America
Academic Study of Jainism in North America
Federation of Jain Associations in North America
( JAINA)
University of Ottawa, Canada
Indo-Canadian Shastri Institute, Canada
World Council of Jain Academies, U.K
Digambar Jain Federation Bangkok Committee,
Thailand
ISJS, USA & Mahavir Vision Inc.
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Overseas Academic Council
Includes some of the best known overseas scholars
on Jainism
Prof. Cromwell Crawford, U of Hawaii, Director
 Prof. Padmanabh S. Jaini, U of California, Berkeley, Cal
 Prof. Jagmohan Humar, Carelton, U, Canada
 Prof. Christopher Key Chapple, Loyola Marymount U. Cal
 Prof. Hope Fitz, Eastern Connecticut State University, CT.
 Prof. John Cort, Dennison, U. Ohio
 Dr. Anne Vallely, University of Ottawa, Canada
 Dr. Natubhai Shah, London, U.K
 Sarah Hadmack, U of Hawaii
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India Academic Council
Includes distinguished scholars with expertise in various aspects of
Jain studies
Director: Dr. Shugan Chand Jain , Delhi
 Prof. Kamal Chand Sogani, Jaipur
 Prof. Sagar Mal Jain, Shajapur
 Prof. M.R. Galera, Jaipur
 Prof. Kusum Jain, Jaipur
 Dr N.P. Jain, Indore
 Prof. Anupam Jain, Indore
 Prof. M.L. Jain, Delhi
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Expansion of Activities
in Future
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Overseas Universities will start sending
students to study Jainism & culture as part
of their Study Abroad programs
Distance learning program on Jainism
Will take Jain learning to the whole world
 Will use web as a distance learning medium
 In cooperation with established
professors/programs
 Work on Mission and Code initiated
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Growth: Long term
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Creation of Jain Centers of Excellence or Jain Chair
at universities
Establishment of Jain Libraries at various universities
May lead to a special Institute for systematic, broad,
multi-dimensional, training of scholars and
monks/nuns.
A University dedicated to Jain Studies in USA
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Examples: Hindu Univ of America, Maharishi Univ of
Management, Southern Methodist Univ etc.
Will be an incremental long-term goal.
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How to Participate
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As a distinguished instructor or Jain
representative
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Past instructors:
As a participant
Professor in an academic/research institution
 Graduate student exploring Jainism
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Please visit the ISSJS web-site for
Further information
 Forms and deadlines
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http://jainstudies.com
http://jainstudies.org
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How you can support ISSJS
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Participate in the program
Help promote the program
We need to raise funds for the ISSJS mission
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Mahavir Vision Inc., is a tax-exempt non-profit organization
in US
ISJS is a Tax Exempt non-profit organization in India
Donations of $5,000, $1,000, $500 or any other amount will
help us achieve the aims of ISSJS
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Annual Retreat for Supporters
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Held annually after the ISSJS
In August or September
 Hawaii 2005, Sedona AZ 2006, Boston/Ottawa 2007
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All supporters and some faculty plus alumnus
are invited
Thorough review of the just completed ISSJS
 Suggestions and action items for improvements
 Implementation review
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Boston/Ottawa Retreat 2007
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Locations (Aug 22-28)
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Harvard Pluralism Project
Jain Center of Boston
Eastern Connecticut State U
Jain Sangh of Ottawa
India's High Commissioner to Canada
University of Ottawa
Review and feedback
of the program
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Contacts
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Web: http://www.jainstudies.com or http://jainstudies.org
Write to by email/mail or call
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Prof. Cromwell Crawford, Hawaii, [email protected]
 Phone (808) 395-2238 (home) and (808) 271-3387 (cell)
Dr. Sulekh C. Jain, Texas [email protected]
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(281) 494 7656 and (832) 594 8005 ( cell)
Dr. Tansukh J. Salgia, Ohio [email protected] (740) 965 2627
Dr. Shugan Jain, Delhi [email protected] ; [email protected]
 +91 (98) 1813 9000, +91 (11) 2649 1228.
Dr. Natubhai Shah, London, [email protected]
 +44 (20) 8455 5573
Dr. Yashwant Malaiya, [email protected] (970) 491 7031
Dr. Dilip Bobra, Phoenix, [email protected]
 (480) 839 2682 and (314) 910 9446
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ISSJS: For the Future of Jainism
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Creating the next generation of scholars and
young Jains
Global Prabhavana of Jainism: Taking the
message of Jainism to the whole world
Modern and thorough program
Your support and contributions critical to the
success of this project.
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