The Jain 1992 04 Special Issue

Author(s): Natubhai Shah, Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: UK Jain Samaj Europe

Page 40

THE JAIN ACADEMY
science of living, languages) into the School of Arts modular degree course. A joint working party has been established to plan the structure of the modules. It is cnvisaged that modules will be introduced into the Combined Honours Degree Course over the next three years; after six years, the course should have built up sufficiently to offer an Honours Degree in Jain Studies. We are exploring the possibility of making these modules available in other parts of the University, outside the School of Arts.
We reproduce below proposals for the syllabus in Jain Studies being considered by this working party. Any suggestions from readers would be most welcome.
I THE AIMS OF THE JAIN ACADEMY
To institute and develop an academy for the study of Jainism and the promotion and dissemination of Jain values.
II PARTICIPATION AND BENEFIT
The promotion of Jainism will be recognised as a worthy aim. This is important both to strengthen Jains, and perhaps especially young Jains, in their knowledge of, and commitment to the Jain religion and Jain values, and also to promote understanding of Jainism and respect for Jain principles among nonJains. With these aims in view the Jain Academy has been formed. A Council for the Jain Academy has also been formally established. The Council will be responsible for the supervision of the Academy's activities, finances, staff and resources. Members include Jains and academics; they will fulfil the following roles: Honorary Academic Chair - Prof. Richard Gombrich; Chairman - Dr Natubhai Shah; Vice-Chairman - Prof. Kantibhai Mardia; Treasurer - Mr Navinbhai Shah; Director - Dr Paul Marett, supported by Dr Ken Oldfield, Dr Rameshbhai Mehta and Mr Vinodbhai Kapashi (relations with the community), and Mr Rajnibhai J Mehta (PRO in UK and overseas). A Praesidium, which will include influential people with an interest in the Academy's activities, is being established, under the leadership of HE Dr L M Singhvi, High Commissioner for India. Navinbhai Shah is working on the formation of a charitable trust which will serve as a financial base for the Academy and receive donations. Nemu Chandaria and Bipin Mehta of the Institute of Jainology have been informed of progress in setting up the Academy, and invited to organise a joint meeting for cooperation in this worthy cause. Arrangements have been made with the Department of Jainology at Madras University for MA Research Scholars to come on l-year placements to Leicester. Working for the Jain community under the auspices of, and supported by, Jain Samaj Europe, these will be invaluable in the development of the Academy. Job specifications have been agreed for these posts, and the first Research Scholar, Miss Punam Mehta, will be coming to Leicester in the late spring or summer of 1992. Contact has also been established with Jain Vishva Bharti and with other institutions and individuals in India; it is envisaged that these links too will be important for human, material, and academic resources.
Four groups in particular can be identified as likely to benefit from and participate in the activities of the Academy: 1 Jains in the UK, especially young Jains; 2 School children and their teachers, 3 University and college lecturers and their students (including trainee teachers, students of religious studies and theology, students of art and architecture),
4 Scholars and research students from the UK and abroad.
The functions of the Jain Academy are set out in III to VIII below : III SCHOOLS AND YOUNG PEOPLE
1 To produce publications and audio-visual material in clear English for children -young Jains and othersdealing with the essentials of Jainism in a scholarly but appealing way. For example, there will probably be booklets on the origins and development of Jainism, on what Jains believe, on the lives and teachings of famous Jains, both ascetics and lay people, all with emphasis on the central principle of non-violence and the shaping role it plays in the lives of Jains and those influenced by them.
A close working relationship has been set up with the School of Arts at De Montfort University (formerly Leicester Polytechnic). Regular meetings are being held with Professor Michael Scott and other members of staff. These have focussed upon ways of integrating Jain studies (culture, philosophy and theology,
2 To arrange talks in schools on Jainism and to prepare information and education packs for young people and for teachers. IV HIGHER EDUCATION
1 To deliver lectures on aspects of Jainism in university and college departments of religious studies, and to other interested organisations.
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