International School for Jain Studies
(A Division of Amar Prerana Trust)
Fortnightly Newsletter
Vol#05 | Issue#07 | No.01 | July 2022
Samavasarana
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Dear Readers,
Jai Jinendra!!
The cover page depicts “Samavasarana”. According to Jainism, Samavasarana or
Samosharana (Refuge to All) is the Tirthankara's heavenly teaching hall, which is said
to contain over 20,000 steps. The term “Samavasarana” is derived from two words:
Sama, which means general, and Avasara, which means opportunity. It is an essential
aspect of Jain art. The Samavasarana seems to have taken the place of the original
Jain stupa as a site of devotion.
All summer programs hosted and conducted by ISJS, are progressing very well as per
the planned schedule. ISJS team is putting their best efforts to deliver the best learning
experiences for all our participants.
To understand the meaning of happiness and learn practices to help navigate life
‘Rhythm of Life’, a holistic experiential retreat is planned from November 11 to 13,
2022. details of registration within.
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ISJS is happy to announce that the 1 Issue of Transactions Journal for 2022 is
published, for more details and a link look inside.
Worldwide historians have been discussing Mahavira’s Nirvana year over a century.
Based on this unique theme the International School for Jain Studies co-organized an
international symposium on “Dating of Mahavira’s Nirvana” detailed summary of the
symposium is inside.
In the speak-up article this time, we have an article from Mr. Rajas Vaishampayan in
which he gives an idea of how ignorance is comprehended as per Jain beliefs.
ISJS extends our deepest condolences for the loss of Dr. Sneh Rani Jain who was an
erudite scholar and practitioner of Jainism and a Brahmacharini.
The Jain Center of Central Ohio is in the process of installing 24 Jain Pratima ji,
Simandhar Swami. Details inside.
The Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago celebrated their temple's 29th anniversary with
a great celebration that included many spiritual activities such as Ratri Bhavna,
Sattarbhedi Puja, Dhwaja Puja and Various other Puja. Details within.
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CURRENT PROGRAMS
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17 Annual Residential Summer Program in Progress
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17 Annual 5-week residential program on Jainism started on June
16, 2022 at Delhi. Has now completed 4 weeks all 6 participants from
the USA, Brazil, and India had a great experience and learning so far.
As a part of their academic schedule. Participants visited Gajpanth
Digambar Jain Siddha Kshetra, also known as Chamar Leni. Gajpanth
is called Siddha Kshetra (land of attained ones) because seven
Balabhadra (out of 63 illustrious men) Vijaya, Achala, Sudharma,
Suprabha, Nandi, Nandimitra and Sudarshana attained nirvana from
this hill in different time span. It is believed about 800 crores (80
million) monks also attained nirvana from here. Apart, from Gajpanth
participants also visited Deolali, which is a hub of Jain culture and
activities, as it houses many Jain temples of different sects.
UTTI Group
The Jain Yoga and UTTI program started on July 7 in Delhi while the
Teaching for Peace (TFP) has just begun on July 11 in Pune. In total
there are 48 participants in these groups.
ISJS is elated to host all these programs and will try to make all these
programs a memorable experience for all its participants in different
groups.
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UPCOMING SEMINAR OR PROJECT
Rhythm of Life Retreat ‘Everything in the universe has a rhythm.
Find yours!
We are pleased to announce that Rhythm of Life, a holistic
experiential retreat to understand the meaning of happiness and
learn practices to help navigate life situations are planned for
November 11-13, 2022 at Navalveerayatan, Pune.
For brochure click here and for registration click here. Limited
seats are available, apply now.
For more details, contact Dr. Shugan Jain at [email protected]
RECENT PROGRAM COMPLETED
International Symposium on Dating of Mahavir Nirvana concluded
The international symposium on Dating of Mahavir Nirvana organized
by ISJS, JAINA-ALC and International Centre of Jainism and Science
was successfully conducted on July 9 & 10, 2022 at Navalveerayatan,
Pune. About 40 scholars from India and abroad were present for the
symposium. The papers varied from the perspectives of history to
archaeology, astronomy, scriptural references and contemporary
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research. The ISJS team is proud to make the event a successful
affair with their tireless efforts.
Prof. Arvind Jamkhedkar, Prof. Maruti Nandan Pd. Tiwari, Prof.
Vasant Shinde, Prof. Bimalendra Kumar, Shri Bhadrabahu Vijay, and
Mr. Dharmaraj Khot chaired the technical sessions respectively and
appreciated the papers.
For scholars who could not attend in person, the sessions were also
conducted online at Zoom.
Mr. Pankaj Shah, co-convener of the event, voted his thanks to all
the scholars, speakers and participants. He also announced that he
intends to publish the proceedings of the symposium soon.
Click here for detailed report.
SPEAK UP
In this section, ISJS invites original articles, and write-ups from Jain
professionals, teachers, and practitioners you can send your articles /
write-ups / opinions to us at [email protected].
In this issue, we have an article title “Ignorance as Per
Jainism” by Mr. Rajas Vaishampayan.
Ajnana (ignorance) is not a self-contained characteristic like jnana.
Ignorance may be understood in four ways.
Click here to read the full article.
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RESEARCH & PUBLICATION
ISJS-Transactions: January – March 2022 Issue released
The January – March, 2022 issue of “ISJS-Transactions” is now
available for the readers. Click here to read issue.
This issue contacts four articles and one book review:
• Images and Inscriptions of Śvetāmbara Jain Temple, Morar
(Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh) by Dr. Navneet Kumar Jain & Mr. Ajit
Jain Shastri
• Santhārā/Sallekhanā and the Indian Law: A Critique of the
Essential Religious Practice Test by Ms. Sanskriti Prakash
• Towards a Humanistic Economics: The Role and Relevance of Jain
Principles by Mr. Kamal Kumar Naulakha
• Ekendriya Jeevon Ka Swaroop-Vivechana by Mr. Ashish Kumar
Jain
• Book Review - Jainism Before 650 BCE by Dr. Navin Srivastav
ISJS invites research papers for its upcoming issues. The journal is
open for scholars/researchers/faculty members for their research
papers on various aspects of Jainology, viz. philosophy, philology,
culture, religion, history, archaeology, art & architecture, science, and
many more. Research papers can be sent to [email protected] or
[email protected].
Find guidelines before sending the abstract and research paper
across. Flick through the previous issues.
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NEWS FROM INDIA
Homage
We are profoundly grieved to learn that Jain
scholar Dr. Sneh Rani Jain, who was in ICU the
day before, died on June 21, 2022, at Chaitanya
hospital in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. She was the
first female Indian pharmacist and was well-
known for her studies on Jainism and the Indus
Valley Civilization. ISJS wishes her soul sadgati
and expresses condolences to her family and
the Jain community.
NEWS FROM ABROAD
24 Jain Pratimaji- Simandhar Swami
The Jain Center of Central Ohio is in the process of installing 24 Jain
Pratima ji, Simandhar Swami. The institution is also commemorating
the tenth anniversary of the construction of its temple. Columbus Jain
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Center welcomes you to join in Chovisi Pratishtha and 10 Anniversary
from July 21 - 25, 2022, to commemorate both milestones. The
Pratishtha will be directed by Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and a group
from India.
Click here to subscribe & previous issues
International School for Jain Studies
(A Division of Amar Prerana Trust)
C/o Firodia Hostel, 844, BCC Road
Shivaji Nagar, Pune — 411004 (MH)
E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.isjs.in