ISSJS

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ISSJS

• International Summer School for
• Jain Studies

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INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR JAIN
STUDIESISSJS

• Sponsored by
• MAHAVIR VISION, INC. (USA)
• INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR JAIN STUDIES (ISJS),
  India.

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Jainism as part of South Asian Studies in North
America

• Expansion of South Asian Studies
• Increasing interest in pluralism and global
  affairs
• Immigrants from Asia Hindu, Jain, Muslim,
  Buddhist, Sikh
• Visible presence of India faculty in universities
  and professions like medicine, finance etc.
• Jainism currently has only a miniscule presence
• Only 17 researchers among thousands of South
  Asian experts
• Very few programs include instruction on Jainism
• Jainism least known and most misunderstood
• ISSJS to remedy this
• Wider impact than a Jain Chair
• Train and motivate current and future
  researchers and faculty/teachers

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Motivation Jainism in the Modern World

• Jainism has survived and flourished in India in
  the past
• Several Jain Centers of learning and practice
• Institutions of Acharyas, Temples, Bhattarakas,
  Yatis, lay scholars
• Jains, even in India, are no longer connected to
  physical Jain Centers/Institutes
• Jain students have more exposure to other faiths,
  and less to Jainism
• Traditional methods of passing the heritage may
  no longer be effective
• Jainism overseas faces serious challenges
• They are a minority within a minority
• Difficulty of preserving Jain identity
• Modern and creative approaches are needed

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Why Jains Must Use New Approaches

• Other religions have reached the humanity.
• Hinduism is now known around the world, due to
  ISCON etc. Gita is now widely quoted by
  non-Hindus.
• Within 50 years, Christianity has become the most
  popular faith in Korea, leaving Buddhism behind.
• Jain principles like Ahimsa, Compassion,
  Vegetarianism, tolerance have been hijacked by
  others.
• Jains must use modern methods to reach people
  around the world.
• New generation of Jains must acknowledge their
  identity proudly. They should be able to discuss
  Jains with non-Jains.

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Building Temples is Not Enough

• Essential components for survival of Jainism
• Scriptures (Jin-Vani) for guidance, Temples for
  worship, Monks for leadership, Devoted Shravakas
  for support.
• Extensive Temple building in recent years
• Temples alone will not preserve Jainism
• It is essential to preserve Jain Learning and
  prepare competent scholars who will teach
  Jainism.

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Objectives of ISSJS

• Comprehensive scholarly and experiential
  introduction to Jainism
• Applicable to academic studies in international
  universities, North America in particular
• Intensive one month and two month academic
  program philosophy, social aspects, rituals,
  pilgrimage
• Interaction with scholars, monks, lay people and
  practitioners
• On return ISSJS, supports scholars to carry out
  further research.

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ISSJS Approach Scholarship Practical
Introduction

• Chaired Professor approach
• Prohibitive cost for a small community
• Benefits localized
• Takes very long to implement
• Paucity of qualified scholars to fill the chaired
  position
• ISSJS Approach
• Scholars from multiple institutions
• Trains potential teachers and researchers
• Encourages graduate students to study Jainism
• Student earns credit from the home university
• ISSJS trained faculty to offer regular courses in
  Jainism
• Fast track and cost effective

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How ISSJS Scholars will spread Jainism

• Development of courses for Jains non-Jains
• Research and publications by scholars
• Scholars will give lectures and seminars at
• Jain institutions in North America and India
• International Conferences
• They will collaborate with Jain scholars in India
  and in other countries.
• Modernization of Jain Studies in India

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Benefits to Jainism in India

• Scholars in India will interact with
  international scholars
• Quality of Jain institutions will improve
• Jain scholars will be invited to visit overseas
  institutions for talks, collaboration, even
  faculty positions.
• Jain youth will no longer see Jainism as an
  old-fashioned, impractical and isolated system.

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International Summer School for Jain Studies
(ISSJS)

• Voluntary, non-government non-profit project
• Funded by a few philanthropists in USA, India and
  Canada.
• Past summer schools
• June - July 2005, 7 Scholars
• June - July 2006 , 14 Scholars
• June - July 2007 , 33 Scholars
• Professors and scholars from the USA, Canada,
  Russia, Singapore and Thailand.
• Scholars came from about 15 international
  universities

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2005 Summer School Glimpses
It has been one of the most rewarding studies
that I have undertaken. HF
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2006 Program Glimpses
I am deeply committed to furthering Jain studies.
It is both a personal and academic commitment
AV
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ISSJS 2007 Glimpses
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ISSJS 2008

• Application deadline January 1, 2008
• Selection of the scholars in progress
• Program expanded to two track
• One month, intro to Jainism for Undergrad
  students
• Two months , Advance study of Jainism for Grad
  Students and faculty
• Total of scholars will be between 30-35 in both
  tracks

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Comments by Attendees

• The exposure that the professors and graduate
  students have had to so many aspects of Jainism
  have been such that our understanding and
  appreciation of Jain studies has been deepened
  and broadened beyond what I thought was possible.
  Prof. Hope Fitz ( Class of 2006)
• We all marvel at your skills in managing
  situations and people. Prof. Anne Vallely ( Class
  of 2006)
• The scholarship traveling have been incredible.
  My work is forever changed. Adrea Jain, Rice
  University

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Comments by Attendees, Contd.

• Everyday I grow more and more thankful for my
  experiences with ISJS. I am so grateful to all
  who helped in opening doors to the Jain values
  for me as I increasingly find that they are not
  only Jain values, but also my own. I feel that I
  am a Jain at heart in many ways. This realization
  may not have been nurtured if it had not been for
  the ISJS and all of the beautiful jivas, such as
  many of you whose hard work created this program.
  I am excited to send students to ISJS, trusting
  that their experiences will also be positive and
  that they will become beacon for both Jain
  awareness and Jain research upon return.
• Sarah Hadmack , University of Hawaii and
  Class of 2005
• 2007

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Recent Curriculum

• Lectures by Jain scholars and Monks
• History, culture, literature, arts and festivals.
  (12-14 lectures)
• Ontology and metaphysics (10-12)
• Karma theory (10-12)
• Epistemology (10-12)
• Ethics (10-12)
• Mahavira, his time and contributions (4-6)
• Special  topics  (15-20)
• Interactions
• Lay Jains and Jain families, elites and ordinary
• Monks. Nuns, scholars
• Visits to major Jain pilgrimage sites
• One week special project under the guidance of a
  Jain Scholar
• Revisions and refinements in the program each year

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Teaching Methods

• Preparation of lectures in advance by teachers
• Comprehensive lecture notes available in advance
  to scholars.
• Interactive and modern teaching
• students encouraged to ask perceptive questions
• Technology power-point, projector, computers
  etc.
• Evaluations feedback by both teachers and
  scholars -Daily, weekly, monthly, end of course.
• One week special project under supervision of a
  Jain Scholar in India.
• Visits to Jain temples, homes, Sadhus and Sadhvis

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Selection of Scholars

• Potential participants reached through
• Dept Chairs, Past alumnus, American Acad. of
  Religions Convention, ISSJS Web-site, University
  of Ottawa , Indo -Canadian Shastri Institute
  personal contacts network.
• Candidates apply along with 2-3 references from
  their peers and supervisors/professors.
• The Academic Council reviews the application
• match between ISSJS mission Candidates career
  goals
• references checked
• interviews each candidate on the phone
• The Chairman of the Academic Council makes the
  final decision.

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Financial Outlay

• On each candidate, ISSJS ( USA India combined)
  spends about 8,000-9,000
• Stipend 1,000 for Grad Students 1500-2,000
  for Professors
• Selected books (5) and notes provided
• Travel Round trip airfare between North America
  India
• Full meals quality lodging in India for 2
  months
• Limited travel to Jain pilgrimage historical
  places
• High quality faculty hired and paid
• Special Inauguration and Graduation/Valedictory
  functions.

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What happens after their return to North America?

• ISSJS Office of Alumni Affairs shall maintain
  contacts and follow their progress.
• The students write report/research papers to earn
  6-9 credits from their respective university
• University Professors
• work to establish regular courses in Jainism
• Authoring books, research papers
• Arranging seminars and special lecture

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Significant Acheivements Samples

• Prof Sarah Hadmack (taught Religious studies
  Windward Comm College, University of Hawaii)
• MS Thesis Jain asceticism
• Writing article and chapter on Jain asceticism
• Marcel Parent (PhD scholar Concordia University
  Montreal)
• Started offering classes in Jainism
• Andrea Jain (Rice University, Houston)
• Teaching section on Jain Diaspora
• Univ.of Houston course Indian Religion with
  emphasis on Jainism
• Dr Shugan Jains visits to University of Ottawa
  (host Prof Anne Valley), Eastern Connecticut
  State Univ. (host Prof. Hope Fritz)
• Scholars from Singapore Thailand in 2006.
  Russia, Cambodia and Thailand in 2007.

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Significant achievements

• Good awareness now of the need for Jain academic
  Studies at university campuses
• Nearly 50 Scholars have graduated from this
  program so far.
• Several ISSJS Alumnus have and are planning to
  enroll in PhD programs in Jainism
• Before ISSJS , hardly any university had a
  regular course offerings in Jainism. Now, several
  universities have started offerings
• At least 6 Alumni of ISSJS have started teaching
  courses in Jainism
• More than 5oo students are being exposed to
  Jainism regularly now

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Significant Achievements, contd.

• About 3-4 college level text books and Chapters
  on Jainism are in preparation
• First time in the history of AAR and DANAM,
  Several papers were presented in Jainism in 3
  stand alone sessions.
• Jainism presence at AAR and DANAM conferences
  will be an annual event.
• A permanent Jainism panel will be established at
  future DANAM conferences.
• ISSJS affiliated with Harvard Universitys
  Pluralism project
• ISSJS Scholars from Thailand organized seminars
  in Jainism at a university in Bangkok. This was
  a first

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Indian Institutions

• Participating institutions
• Bhogi Lal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi
• Jain Vidhya Sansthan, Shri Mahavirji (Jaipur
  Branch), Raj
• Jain Vishwa Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Raj
• Kundkund Gyanpeeth, Indore, MP
• Tulsi Global Meditation Centre, Gurgaon, Haryana
• Jain Academic Educational Research Centre,
  Mumbai University
• National Institute of Prakrit Studies and
  Research, Shravanbelgola
• Naval Veerayatan, Pune, Maharashtra
• Manglayatan University, U.P
• Lal Bahdur Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi
• All India Digambar Jain Education Organization,
  New Delhi
• Parshwanath Vidyapeeth Research Institute,
  Varanasi
• Implementing Organization
• International School for Jain Studies, Delhi

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Supporting Institutes Overseas

• Jain Academic Foundation of North America
• Academic Study of Jainism in North America
• Federation of Jain Associations in North America
• ( JAINA)
• University of Ottawa, Canada
• Indo-Canadian Shastri Institute, Canada
• World Council of Jain Academies, U.K
• Digambar Jain Federation Bangkok Committee,
  Thailand
• ISJS, USA Mahavir Vision Inc.

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Overseas Academic Council

• Includes some of the best known overseas scholars
  on Jainism
• Prof. Cromwell Crawford, U of Hawaii, Director
• Prof. Padmanabh S. Jaini, U of California,
  Berkeley, Cal
• Prof. Jagmohan Humar, Carelton, U, Canada
• Prof. Christopher Key Chapple, Loyola Marymount
  U. Cal
• Prof. Hope Fitz, Eastern Connecticut State
  University, CT.
• Prof. John Cort, Dennison, U. Ohio
• Dr. Anne Vallely, University of Ottawa, Canada
• Dr. Natubhai Shah, London, U.K
• Sarah Hadmack, U of Hawaii

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India Academic Council

• Includes distinguished scholars with expertise in
  various aspects of Jain studies
• Director Dr. Shugan Chand Jain , Delhi
• Prof. Kamal Chand Sogani, Jaipur
• Prof. Sagar Mal Jain, Shajapur
• Prof. M.R. Galera, Jaipur
• Prof. Kusum Jain, Jaipur
• Dr N.P. Jain, Indore
• Prof. Anupam Jain, Indore
• Prof. M.L. Jain, Delhi

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Expansion of Activitiesin Future

• Overseas Universities will start sending students
  to study Jainism culture as part of their Study
  Abroad programs
• Distance learning program on Jainism
• Will take Jain learning to the whole world
• Will use web as a distance learning medium
• In cooperation with established
  professors/programs
• Work on Mission and Code initiated

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Growth Long term

• Creation of Jain Centers of Excellence or Jain
  Chair at universities
• Establishment of Jain Libraries at various
  universities
• May lead to a special Institute for systematic,
  broad, multi-dimensional, training of scholars
  and monks/nuns.
• A University dedicated to Jain Studies in USA
• Examples Hindu Univ of America, Maharishi Univ
  of Management, Southern Methodist Univ etc.
• Will be an incremental long-term goal.

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How to Participate

• As a distinguished instructor or Jain
  representative
• Past instructors
• As a participant
• Professor in an academic/research institution
• Graduate student exploring Jainism
• Please visit the ISSJS web-site for
• Further information
• Forms and deadlines

http//jainstudies.com http//jainstudies.org
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How you can support ISSJS

• Participate in the program
• Help promote the program
• We need to raise funds for the ISSJS mission
• Mahavir Vision Inc., is a tax-exempt non-profit
  organization in US
• ISJS is a Tax Exempt non-profit organization in
  India
• Donations of 5,000, 1,000, 500 or any other
  amount will help us achieve the aims of ISSJS

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Annual Retreat for Supporters

• Held annually after the ISSJS
• In August or September
• Hawaii 2005, Sedona AZ 2006, Boston/Ottawa 2007
• All supporters and some faculty plus alumnus are
  invited
• Thorough review of the just completed ISSJS
• Suggestions and action items for improvements
• Implementation review

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Boston/Ottawa Retreat 2007

• Locations (Aug 22-28)
• Harvard Pluralism Project
• Jain Center of Boston
• Eastern Connecticut State U
• Jain Sangh of Ottawa
• India's High Commissioner to Canada
• University of Ottawa
• Review and feedback
• of the program

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Contacts

• Web http//www.jainstudies.com or
  http//jainstudies.org
• Write to by email/mail or call
• Prof. Cromwell Crawford, Hawaii,
  crmwllcrwf_at_aol.com
• Phone [phone] (home) and [phone]
  (cell)
• Dr. Sulekh C. Jain, Texas scjain_at_earthlink.net
• [phone] and [phone] ( cell)
• Dr. Tansukh J. Salgia, Ohio  jainunity_at_yahoo.com
  [phone]
• Dr. Shugan Jain, Delhi svana_at_vsnl.com
  shugan_jain_at_yahoo.com
• 91 (98) 1813 9000, 91 (11) 2649 1228.
• Dr. Natubhai Shah, London, natubhaishah_at_aol.com 
• 44 (20) 8455 5573
• Dr. Yashwant Malaiya, ymalaiya_at_yahoo.com (970)
  491 7031
• Dr. Dilip Bobra, Phoenix, dkbobra_at_gmail.com
• [phone] and [phone]

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ISSJS For the Future of Jainism

• Creating the next generation of scholars and
  young Jains
• Global Prabhavana of Jainism Taking the message
  of Jainism to the whole world
• Modern and thorough program
• Your support and contributions critical to the
  success of this project.