Science And Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Raksha J Shah, Abhijit Muni, Pooja Banthia
Publisher: International Conference on Science and Jain Philosophy

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International Conference on Science and Jain Philosophy 2016
VISION AND MISSION OF BMIRC
The main aim of this International Conference on Science and Jain philosophy 2016 is to a have long-term planning for happy blending of science and spirituality. In its postconference action plan BMIRC at JVBI will focus on following three areas:
Research Problems and Academic Curriculum in Science and Jain Philosophy The scientific ideas in Jain philosophy extend to the whole range of human knowledge from metaphysics to cosmology, micro and macro, epistemology, physical and biological sciences, ecology and environment, psychology and meditation, and other spiritual practices. Also mathematics in Jain philosophy is of great significance not only for the historian of mathematics, but for comprehensive view of Jainism. Besides Jain philosophy modern science has also made great advancements in many ofthese fields. A study of these two streams of knowledge shows that though they have been developed in different ways and have many specialties peculiar to them they also have many ideas in common. Further, there is a great scope for ideas of one stream being useful to understand the view points of the other. It is also found that the ideas expressed in Jain philosophy are more comprehensive and refer to much wider domain as compared to modern science in some respect. So, a comparative study can lead to many research areas where a study would be very useful for development of science on one hand and bringing full understanding of the universe and its components on the other.
One problem in studying scientific ideas in Jain philosophy is that the traditional Jain scholars generally are not familiar with science and the scientists have no background of Jain philosophy. The best way to overcome this problem is to teach the basic principles of Jainism to scientists and arranging interaction between Jain scholars and scientists so that the scientists can express the Jain ideas in a scientific way. This would require induction of scientists in a different field of study but this is not difficult as many of the scientists have an open mind and are willing, or rather eager, to learn the ancient traditions.
In order that we have a fruitful activity in the field of study and research in science and Jain philosophy the following agenda would be useful: 1. To facilitate the scientists to study the basic principles of Jainism and their scientific significance. 2. To develop P.G. courses in Jain philosophy and science together with academic curriculum for the same. 3. Identification of areas of scientific research in Jain philosophy. 4. Developing online courses for the benefit of Indian and International students interested in the basic principles of Jainism and their scientific interpretation. It is also proposed that the Institution such as BMIRC at JVBI, be made the nodal center for organizing activities on above areas and other interested Institutions may collaborate and coordinate with BMIRC so that the work is accomplished fast.
Developing Scientific cum - spiritual techniques for inculcation of Moral Values and Development of EQ in Global Education Curriculum Moral values help in making the life of an individual, family and the community happy, healthy (holistically), peaceful, and pleasurable. It also cleanses the society of evils like corruption,
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