ISSJS

1. ISSJS International Summer School for Jain Studies

2. INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR JAIN STUDIESISSJS Sponsored by MAHAVIR VISION, INC. (USA) & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR JAIN STUDIES (ISJS), India.

3. Jainism as part of South Asian Studies in North America • Expansion of South Asian Studies • 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. • Jainism currently has only a miniscule presence • 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 • Wider impact than a Jain Chair • Train and motivate current and future researchers and faculty/teachers ISSJS

4. Motivation: Jainism in the Modern World • Jainism has survived and flourished in India in the past • Several Jain Centers of learning and practice • Institutions of Acharyas, Temples, Bhattarakas, Yatis, lay scholars • Jains, even in India, are no longer connected to physical Jain Centers/Institutes • 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 • They are a minority within a minority • Difficulty of preserving Jain identity • Modern and creative approaches are needed ISSJS

5. Why Jains Must Use New Approaches • Other religions have reached the humanity. • 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. ISSJS

6. Building Temples is Not Enough • Essential components for survival of Jainism • 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. ISSJS

7. Objectives of ISSJS • 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. ISSJS

8. ISSJS Approach: Scholarship & Practical Introduction • Chaired Professor approach: • Prohibitive cost for a small community • Benefits localized • Takes very long to implement • Paucity of qualified scholars to fill the chaired position • ISSJS Approach: • 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 ISSJS

9. How ISSJS Scholars will spread Jainism • 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 • They will collaborate with Jain scholars in India and in other countries. • Modernization of Jain Studies in India ISSJS

10. Benefits to Jainism in India • Scholars in India will interact with international scholars • 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 old-fashioned, impractical and isolated system. ISSJS

11. International Summer School for Jain Studies (ISSJS) • Voluntary, non-government non-profit project • Funded by a few philanthropists in USA, India and Canada. • Past summer schools • 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 ISSJS

12. 2005 Summer School Glimpses It has been one of the most rewarding studies that I have undertaken. HF ISSJS

13. 2006 Program Glimpses I am deeply committed to furthering Jain studies. It is both a personal and academic commitment AV ISSJS

14. ISSJS 2007 Glimpses ISSJS

15. ISSJS 2008 • 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 ISSJS

16. More Comments by Attendees • 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 ISSJS

17. Recent Curriculum • Lectures by Jain scholars and Monks • 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) • Interactions • 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 ISSJS

18. Teaching Methods • Preparation of lectures in advance by teachers • Comprehensive lecture notes available in advance to scholars. • Interactive and modern teaching • 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 ISSJS

19. Selection of Scholars • 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. • The Academic Council reviews the application • match between ISSJSmission & Candidates career goals • references checked • interviews each candidate on the phone • The Chairman of the Academic Council makes the final decision. ISSJS

20. Financial Outlay • 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 • 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. ISSJS

21. What happens after their return to North America? • 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 ISSJS

22. Significant Acheivements: Samples • Prof Sarah Hadmack (taughtReligious studies: Windward Comm 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) • Scholars from Singapore & Thailand in 2006. Russia, Cambodia and Thailand in 2007. ISSJS

23. Indian Institutions • Participating institutions • 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 • International School for Jain Studies, Delhi ISSJS

24. Supporting Institutes Overseas • 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. ISSJS

25. 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 ISSJS

26. 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 ISSJS

27. Expansion of Activitiesin Future • 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 ISSJS

28. Growth: Long term • 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 • Examples: Hindu Univ of America, Maharishi Univ of Management, Southern Methodist Univ etc. • Will be an incremental long-term goal. ISSJS

29. How to Participate • As a distinguished instructor or Jain representative • Past instructors: • As a participant • Professor in an academic/research institution • Graduate student exploring Jainism • Please visit the ISSJS web-site for • Further information • Forms and deadlines http://jainstudies.com http://jainstudies.org ISSJS

30. How you can support ISSJS • Participate in the program • Help promote the program • We need to raise funds for the ISSJS mission • 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 ISSJS

31. Annual Retreat for Supporters • Held annually after the ISSJS • In August or September • Hawaii 2005, Sedona AZ 2006, Boston/Ottawa 2007 • All supporters and some faculty plus alumnus are invited • Thorough review of the just completed ISSJS • Suggestions and action items for improvements • Implementation review ISSJS

32. Boston/Ottawa Retreat 2007 • Locations (Aug 22-28) • 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 ISSJS

33. Contacts • Web: http://www.jainstudies.com or http://jainstudies.org • Write to by email/mail or call • Prof. Cromwell Crawford, Hawaii, crmwllcrwf@aol.com • Phone (808) 395-2238 (home) and (808) 271-3387 (cell) • Dr. Sulekh C. Jain, Texas scjain@earthlink.net • (281) 494 7656 and (832) 594 8005 ( cell) • Dr. Tansukh J. Salgia, Ohio  jainunity@yahoo.com (740) 965 2627 • Dr. Shugan Jain, Delhi svana@vsnl.com ; shugan_jain@yahoo.com • +91 (98) 1813 9000, +91 (11) 2649 1228. • Dr. Natubhai Shah, London, natubhaishah@aol.com • +44 (20) 8455 5573 • Dr. Yashwant Malaiya, ymalaiya@yahoo.com (970) 491 7031 • Dr. Dilip Bobra, Phoenix, dkbobra@gmail.com • (480) 839 2682 and (314) 910 9446 ISSJS

34. ISSJS: For the Future of Jainism • 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. ISSJS