Jain Digest 2007 11 2

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 26

NEWS & EVENTS
Jain Digest Winter 2007
PROGRESS REPORT OF THE ISSJS PROGRAM (International Summer School for Jain Academic Studies) ISSJS and the Needs
Till three years ago, the interest and course offerings in Jain studies at North American Universities were very miniscule. Fortunately, that situation is changing now.
Since the 18th century the teaching and research in Indian studies has been conducted in the most prestigious universities of the USA, Canada, and UK. However, Jain studies have not prospered as much as its Hindu and Buddhist counterparts, due to insufficient courses, or professors qualified to teach the courses, or sufficient numbers of students enrolling in the courses. This situation necessitated a new balance. Many felt the need to rectify this, through the creation a program "The International Summer School for Jain Studies, ISSJS". The salient features of this program are;
1. The project is non-sectarian
2. It is a two-track system, for professors and for students. 3. It is fully integrated into academia. Students receive credits applicable to their graduate studies. It is not intellectual tourism. Student earns credits in his/her home university for the program. The curriculum is a balance between studies in history/ philosophy (taught by Indian scholars), and cultural immersion art/ architecture/theatre and dance, guided participation in festivals, pujas, ceremonies, home visitation, trips to selective places of historic significance.
4. It is an East-West venture, involving partnership between
Indian and Western institutions.
5. It gives cultural and philosophic definition to the historic position of contemporary India, poised as it is as an emerging player on the world stage (with China). Jainism is a microcosm of Indian values encapsulated in non-violence or ahimsa), which defines Indian civilization as having to do with more than computer skills, and atomic prowess.
6. Given its modern elements, Jainism is a religion waiting to be born, and ISSJS is its MIDWIFE in the current context, to facilitate the rebirth of this ancient tradition. You are invited to become a part of this history, by joining ISSJS. IF INDIA WILL RISE AGAIN. CAN JAINISM BE FAR BEHIND?— PROGRESS IN LAST THREE YEARS
1. The ISSJS Program started with just 7 scholars in 2005 and grew to 14 in 2006 and 33 in 2007. They came from USA, Canada, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia (more than 85% from North America) and represented about 20 universities from six countries.
2. As a result of the ISSJS programs, there is now more awareness of the need for Jain academic Studies at University Campuses. Several scholars have or are planning to enroll in Ph.D programs with emphasis on Jainism.
3. Atleast 5 Alumni of ISSJS have already started offering regular classes in Jainism at their school/university. Last year, nearly 500 hundred students were exposed to Jainism and its philosophy.
ducation International
4. About 3-4 College Level Text books or chapters on Jainism by a few scholars are already in preparation.
5. For the first time, three stand alone sessions with about 12 papers on Jainism will be presented at the prestigious American Academy of Religions Conference in San Diego in November, 2007.
6. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, University of Bombay, Rajasthan University, Maglayatan University (in Aligarh, U.P), Lal Bahadur Shastri Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in New Delhi and Jain Vishwa Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Rajasthan are providing Academic support to ISSJS program. In addition, 7 institutes/ organizations in India, 4 in U.S.A, 1 in U.K and 1 in Thailand are affiliated with and supporting this program.
7. The Supporters and organizers have had three annual retreats (at University of Hawaii in 2005, Sedona, AZ in 2006 and University of Ottawa, Canada in 2007) to review the performance and growth of the program and to plan for future years.
8. In August 2007, some of the organizers, visited Harvard University in Cambridge, MASS, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic CT, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada and India's High Commissioner to Canada in Ottawa. Every where, they were received by the top faculty, President of the Eastern Connecticut State University, the Deans, Associate Dean and other high officials. At all these places, they had productive meetings and a chance to discuss details of the ISSJS
program.
9. All the Universities visited showed strong interest in participating (if they are not already doing so) in the next ISSJS. Harvard University will try to have 1-3 faculty/Graduate Students participate in ISSJS 2008.
10. Couple of alumni of ISSJS programs are already in the process of putting together extensive proposals for deeper and extensive research in various philosophy of Jainism such as prevalent practices of Ahimsa within the Jain community in India and other places. The goal is to secure sizeable funding (from many Charitable Foundations in North America) to
conduct these research.
11. As a result of visit to Harvard University in August 2007, we have engaged two highly motivated and qualified Graduate Students from Harvard Divinity School under the WORKSTUDY program to help us in publicizing ISSJS program at University campuses throughout the world. The aim is to draw the best qualified students and faculty from a larger pool to participate in future ISSJS programs. This program is jointly funded by JAINA, ISJS and the Harvard University Work-study Grants.
12. The three ISSJS Scholars from Thailand and the Bangkok Digambar Jain Sangh are organizing a seminar on Jainism at Rajamangala University in Thailand on November 29, 2007. This is a first..
WHERE TO FIND MORE DETAILS
For details of this program, please visit the web site; www.jainstudies.com
wwwww.feinelibrary.org