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Jain Digest. Winter 2007
DANAM en of North America
web.org
NEW & EVENTS
Naeth nutra
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GROWTH & PLANS for 2008
ISSJS-Jainism panel, in San Diego
JAINISM AT AAR MEETING IN SAN 13. Starting with just one offering of two months duration during each summer, in 2008, we plan to offer a TWO TIERDIEGO, NOV, 2007 (two Streams) Programs; one month program for Undergraduate For the first time, in the history of AAR and DANAM. students and a regular two months program for graduate several papers were presented on lainism. The lain sessions students and the faculty. Both the programs will start on June 1st in New Delhi and are for students and faculty who are affiliated
were well attended and extremely well-received. Although with Universities. The total capacity has been expanded to about
I have not received final confirmation, Prof Rita Sherma of 40 students/scholars combined for both the courses and we are
DANAM spoke with me after the panel and suggested that expecting a full house.
we establish a permanent Jainism panel as part of DANAM
cach year. This gives you an idea of how well the 8 student The two tier ISSJS program in 2008 will meet the scholarly
papers went! A few have been invited to publish the papers needs of all applicants.
in a forthcoming volume on Dharma. The goal of the first level is THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNDAMENTALS OF JAINISM in the areas of Religion,
The only Jainism session that I organized was part of the Philosophy, History, and Culture, The Second level builds on AAR proper, and it included Jim Hastings, Whitney Keltthe first in terms of scope, depth, and intensity, and aims at a ing, Sherry Fohr, Stephen Quinlan, Chris Chapple and proficiency of knowledge that qualifies the student to study myself. Paul Dundas came to that session all the way from at the M.A. level in university. It is expected that first level Edinburgh!). It went swimmingly and I am now looking for students will, in the development of studies, become sufficiently a journal to publish the papers as a special edition. competent to enter the second tier of studies. The instructional approach followed in all courses is the historico-critical method. Talso gave a paper on Jainism ac a session on Sacred Space. Students are not obliged to become true believers, nor are they Prof. Diane Eck (From Harvard) came out for it and we had urged to adopt behaviors in conformity with rituals, religion and a nice conversation about my paper and about the summer habits of any Jain sect., though they are expected to demonstrate school. She handed out flyers at that session and the Jainrespect in these matters to members of the community in which ism panel session. they live and study. Similar social sensitivity is encouraged for the larger Indian community in which they move. A unique Anne Valley, PhD Assistant Professor asset of this program is its emphasis on cultural immersion and Department of Classics and Religious Studies, University sightseeing. It is important that every effort be made to integrate of Ottawa the theoretical and experiential spheres of knowledge. As an example. Prior to the visitation of a site, or witness of a festival, Dr. Shugan Jain, the ISSJS India Director will first explain the historical, cultural, political/economic, and other elements that provide meaning and perspective to what is being viewed (experts in art, architecture, song/dance/drama, may serve as resource persons) The purpose of this component is to present Jainism as a living religion, and not a relic of a forgotten past. Following the outing, students will write short essays on the event. In addition opportunities are made for students to talk one-on-one with monks, nuns, and with practicing Jains in secular positions, such as military, Police, Law, Diamond, gold and silver merchants. There is a major focus on the family, highlighting the role and status of women, accompanied by home visitations. Students are asked to maintain up-to-date scrapbooks (photos, postcards, memorabilia, mementos etc.
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