Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

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Parliament of World's Religions Chicago,93
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(iv) Comparative religions and Interfaith Dialogues
The Jainas did neither organise any such program nor they did participate in such programs. In the days of comparative philosophy and religions, such programs lead to promote the system in wider arena.
(v) Dis-interest in Other Programs
It is observed that there were some 101 programs in which Jainas should have taken active part. These include seminars on 'Religion and Violence', Conflict resolution and Globalisation', 'Ethics in Workplaces', and 'Science and Religion' and the like. These are the topics which the Jainas feel as their own special field. These topics are related with our current life problems. By not participating in such programs, the Jainas have substantiated the charge that they are more past-oriented and they do not bother about present or future. This charge must be removed so that the Jainas may be called liberal.
(vi) Parliament of People
The Jainas, in general, did not participate in this activity (except one person from India). The views expressed in this program influence the policies and performances of PWR. Of course, it is a secondary program but its importance is heavy.
It is hoped that active participation in such interfaith and comparative religious programs will become most important point for future occasions.
2. Complexity in programming Jaina Lectures
The Program Bulletin shows the complexity of setting different lectures, presentations and other activities in such a way that the participants may attend maximum of them. However, this might not be possible. Many programs of the same section/group have to be kept at the same time. Many programs are running parallelly. This create restraints on the audiences. This also reduces the number of audience in programs. Some lectures are taken as read. To minimise this complexity, one speake or should be given only one chance to speak. Seven of the Jaina speakers had two lectures. If this system is accepted, this will reduce the complexity by about 10%. This point should be taken care of when selection of papers etc. are done.