Introduction to Jainism

By Prof. Pankaj Jain | FLAME University, Pune

Learners enrolled: 207

Jainism is one of India's ancient philosophical traditions. Historically, it is traced back to Mahavira, a sixth-century BCE teacher, and a contemporary Buddha. Like the Buddha, Mahavira’s doctrines were formulated to respond to Brahmanism, a tradition based on the Vedic texts. Because of this, both Jainism and Buddhism are regarded as unorthodox philosophies, darsanas. The most renowned nonviolent figure of our times, Mahatma Gandhi, was inspired by nonviolence and other Jain practices. Mahatma Gandhi, in turn, inspired Dr. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, and several other nonviolent movements globally. Today, Jains have a global presence with hundreds of temples and centers in the USA, Canada, UK, Belgium, Australia, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and Japan.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Not Applicable
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	Self Paced
Category :	Philosophy
Level :	Undergraduate

Page Visits

Course layout

Week Number	Title
	Introduction to Jainism
	Origin and Schism, Scriptures and Doctrines
	Aspects of Karma Theory, Ethnographic Survey of Jains from Early Times to Recent Developments
	The Ascetic and the Lay: Compared and Contrasted
	Jains and “non-Jains”: Ahimsā and Anekāntavāda. Gandhi
	Ecology: The Jain Way Animals and Food

Books and references

1- Jainism: An Introduction - Jeffery D. Long (I. B. Tauris)

2 - The Jains - Paul Dundas (Routledge)

3 - Collected Papers on Jaina Studies - Padmanabh S Jaini (MLBD)

4 - The Jaina Path of Purification - Padmanabh S Jaini (MLBD)

Instructor bio

Prof. Pankaj Jain

FLAME University, Pune

Professor Pankaj Jain is a prominent scholar in Sustainability, Jain Studies, Film Studies, and Diaspora Studies, with nearly 30 years of experience in academia and the corporate sector. He is the HoD of Humanities & Languages and Director of The India Centre at FLAME University. Previously, he was the founding co-chair of the India Initiatives Group and an Associate Professor at the University of North Texas. Dr. Jain holds a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, an M.A. from Columbia University, and a B.E. from Karnatak University. He is the author of several monographs, including Modern Jainism, Dharma in America, Science and Socio-Religious Revolution in India, and Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Morgan Freeman's The Story of God series.

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