Jain Journal 1998 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 39

INDIAN RELIGIONS JOIN HANDS
35 is reflected in the way they build temples and shrines and mosques and Sikh gurdwara and Christian churches."
Or , in the words of SamanShrutpragya, a Jain monk visiting from India: "Every religion has different philosophies and different ideas, but we try to make harmony. How can we make harmony? If you like to worship Mahāvīra, you can worship Mahāvīra. If you want to worship (Hindu deity) Krishna, you can worship Krishna."
From The Cincinnati Enquirer, Metro/Butlei, May 15, 1998. Conference on ‘Jainism and Ecology' at Harvard
An international seminar titled “Jainism and Ecology" was held at Harvard University's Center for the Study of World Religions on July 10-12,1998.
Dr. Sulekh Jain, president of the Jain Academic Foundation of North America (JAFNA) told India Abroad recently that the conference was being sponsored by the foundation jointly with the Jain Academy of the United Kingdom.
"The topic of Jainism and ecology presents many interesting challenges to scholars and leaders of the Jaina tradition," says the conference convener, Dr. Christopher Key Chapple, Professor of Theological Studies at the Harvard University's Center for the Study of World Religions.
Participants were to include Cromwell Crawford of the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Kim R: Skoog of the University of Guam, John Koller of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, John Cort of Denison University, Padmanabh Jaini and Kristi L. Weley, both of the University of California at Berkeley, and Paul Dundas of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
A large number of Jain scholars from India have also been invited to participate in the conference, Sulekh Jain said.
The topics put down for discussion include “Jain Cosmology and Ethics for the Eco-Crisis,” “Jain Biocosmology and environmental Thought," "Ahimsa as a Categorical Imperative for Environmental Care." "Jain Principle of Ahimsa and Ecology. “Ecology and Spirituality in Jain Tradition, "The Nature of Nature Jain Perspectives on the Natural World." and "Digging Ahimsa. The Limits of a Jain Environmental Ethic."
The proceedings of the conference will be published in a book form by Harvard University. (From India Abroad, July 10,1998.Sulekh Jain.)