International School for Jain Studies

International School for Jain Studies

Jai Jinendra

Objectives of ISJS

Comprehensive scholarly and experiential introduction to Jainism.

Applicable to academic studies in universities globally, North America in particular.

Intensive three weeks, four weeks and six weeks academic comprehensive programs.

Interaction with scholars, monks, lay people and practitioners.

On return ISJS, supports scholars for further research.

ISSJS Approach: Scholarship & Practical Introduction

ISSJS is a project of ISJS 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. History, philosophy, art and culture, rituals and way of

life introduced to scholars to make it a comprehensive program.

010203040506070

International Summer School for Jain Studies

Voluntary, non-government non-profit project of ISJS. Funded by a few philanthropists in USA, India and Canada. Past summer schools (scholars trained)

June-July 2005, 7

June-July 2006, 14

June-July 2007, 28

June-July 2008, 38

May-July 2009, 47

May-July 2010, 65

May-July 2011, 65

Professors and scholars from the USA, Canada, Western Europe Russia, Cuba, Singapore and Thailand etc i.e. from 20 international universities from fifteen countries

ISSJS 2012

Three schools during summer of 2012Program Duration Entry level

ISSJS2012-3W May 26th–June 16th UGs ISSJS2012-4W June 2nd–July 1st Senior UGs and Gs ISSJS2012-6W June2nd–July 14th Senior Gs, PhDs/

Faculty Facilities to earn transferable credit hours

4 credit hours thru ISSJS2012.3W 6 credit hours thru ISSJS2012.4W

Teaching Methods

Preparation of lectures in advance by teachers: Comprehensive lecture notes made available in

advance. Highly interactive and modern teaching using ICT

technologies: 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.

Selection of Scholars

On line applications submitted and processed. Dept Chairs, Past alumni, AIIS, SICI, ISSJS Web-site,

newsletter, & personal contacts & network. Candidates apply along with 2-3 references. The Academic Council reviews the application

Match between ISSJS mission & Candidate’s career goals. References checked. Telephone interviews

The Chairman of the Academic Council makes the final decision.

Significant Achievements: Samples

ISJS centres are now functioning at CLU California and VCU Virginia USA.

Sarah Hadmack, Prof. Anne Vallely, Prof. Hope Fitz, Dr. Pankaj Jain & Ms. Andrea Jain; all ISJS alumni teaching Jainism at their universities.

ISJS alumni bring large groups from their universities to India for learning Jainism.

Eminent Jain scholars from North America and Europe now collaborate with ISJS. (Prof. P.S.Jaini, Prof. C. Chapple, Prof. Vallely, Prof Long, Prof. Francione and others)

Significant achievements

Onshore schools organized at Mahidol and Chulalongkorn Univ. Bangkok.

Good awareness now of the need for Jain academic Studies at university campuses. Now many universities have started offerings.

Nearly 270 Scholars have graduated from this program. Several ISSJS Alumnus have earned and some are in the

process of earning PhD in Jainism. 500+ students are being exposed to Jainism regularly in

overseas universities.

Significant Achievements, contd.

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. An annual event with a permanent Jainism panel. Almost all conferences have majority Jain papers presented.

Several national and international seminars, books and workshops organized and released .

Dr. Shugan Jain visited for lecturing at University of Harvard, Yale, Virginia Commonwealth, Ottawa, Eastern Connecticut State in N.America, Mahidol, Chulalongkorn in Bangkok and more Universities and schools.

New Initiatives of ISJS

Established partnerships in India with :

Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, set up ISJS- PV Global Centre for Ahinsa & Indological Research Varanasi.

Shri Digambar Jain Trilok Research Sansthan Hastinapur.

Rajasthan University. Centre for Advanced Studies.

Somaiya Vidhya Vihar & Mumbai Univ., Mumbai

Madras University, Chennai.

Shri Digambar Jain Shrut Samvardhini Mahasabha, Delhi.

Jain University, Bangalore

Teerthankar Mahavira University, Moradabad.

ISJS COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS, India

Jain Vidhya Sansthan, Jaipur Parshwanath Vidhyapeeth , Varanasi CAPS Univ. of Rajasthan, Jaipur Madras University Jain University, Bangalore Teerthankar Mahavir University, Moradabad Kund Kund Gyanpeeth, Indore Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi Shri Dig Jain Trilok Shodh Sansthan, Hastinapur SBD Shrut Sanvardhini Mahasabha, Delhi American Institute of Indian studies, New Delhi JAERC Mumbai University, Mumbai Somaiya Vidhya Vihar, Mumbai

Come & Join the movement

Thanks & Jai Jinendra

Mahavir Vision Inc., is a tax-exempt non-profit organization in US.

ISJS is a Tax Exempt non-profit organization in India