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Speakers
Dr. Philip Clayton is a leading theologian and serves as the Dean of Claremont School of Theology and Provost of Claremont Lincoln University. He also holds the Ingraham Chair at CST. Clayton earned a joint doctorate in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Yale University and has held visiting appointments at Har vard University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Munich. He has published over 20 books and hundreds of academic and popular articles. He reached out to the Jain community in 2011 and has partnered with International School for Jain Studies to launch an important center for research and learning of Jainism in an academic setting. In 2012, CLU organized and hosted the first International Jain Conference on bioethics. Professor Clayton is presently pursuing an award with the Government of India for the Virchand Raghavji Gandhi Endowed Chair Professorship in Jain Studies.
Roop Chandraji Maharaj took diksha at the age of 13, under Acharya Tulsi, who is the founder of Nav Tairah Panth and Manav Mandir Mission. He has authored more than 15 books and translated several Indian scriptures into many Indian languages. He is a poet, writer, philosopher and extremely knowledgeable about Jain scriptures. He also has done a deep study of the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagvad Gita, Buddhist literature and the Bible. His lecture series and seminars include Jain religion and philosophy, vegetarianism, non-violence and yoga camps in India and abroad. In 2004, he was conferred Man of the Year by the American Biographical Institute, and was also honored by Amity Humanity Foundation and National AIDS Control Organization for his involvement in the cause of total health care, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
Pramodaben Chitrabhanu is a Director of Jain Meditation International Center in New York City and former Chairperson of JAINA's Jivdaya (Animal Welfare) Committee. She has a B.A. from Bombay University, and became a disciple of Gurudev Chitrabhanu in the 1970s. She has sponsored projects in educating and rehabilitating the poor and the underprivileged. She works for Reverence for Life Society and Beauty Without Cruelty and PETA, to promote animal welfare and a vegan life-style. She has authored many books including The Book of Compassion. She regularly delivers lectures at many centers around the world, and is an adviser to Lighthouse Center Inc. Whitmore Lake, MI, a unique spiritual interfaith organization.
Jainism: The Global Impact
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