At the 15th biennial convention, held during July 2-5 in Los Angeles, California, JAINA honoured Dr. Sulekh C. Jain with its highest award, the JAINA RATNA. The award is presented for exceptional dedication and contribution towards promotion of Jainism in North America.
By profession, Dr. Sulekh Jain is a Mechanical Engineer. He taught mechanical engineering at several universities in India and USA, published more than 50 papers and has nine US and international patents. Eleven years ago, he retired from General Electric (GE) Aircraft Engine Division in Cincinnati, Ohio and now devotes all his energies to the promotion of Jain and Ahimsa related causes and projects.
Dr. Sulekh C. Jain has been instrumental in the establishment of a large number of Jain centers, institutions and programs in North America, Europe and India. For nearly 50 years, he has served the community with vision, commitment, dedication and unflagging energy. He served JAINA for eight years, first as Secretary then subsequently as President for two terms. No other has served as long. He has been the president of two Jain Centers (Cincinnati–Dayton, Ohio and Houston, Texas) as well as several other organizations. Currently, Dr. Jain is the Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council of International School for Jain Studies USA (www.jainstudies.org) and Secretary of Mahavir Vision Inc. USA.
ISJS salutes Dr Sulekh Jain and prays for his long, active life and leadership.
Admissions for ISSJS2010 now open.
The ISSJS program is intended to provide an opportunity to pursue experiential and academic Jain studies in India from May 26th to July 8th 2010 to scholars in philosophy, religion, anthropology, theology and South Asian studies associated with the recognized university systems. During this period the participants will study in the cities of Mumbai, Jaipur, Varanasi and Delhi (including Hastinapur) and also undertake a few one day pilgrimages to holy Jain centers.
The course of study follows a daily schedule of academic lectures by notable Jain scholars covering a range of topics from Jain history, philosophy, rituals, ethics and contemporary Jain life. An important part of this program is the opportunity to contextualize what is learned in the class room by visiting academic, historical places of interests, interacting with Jain communities and participating in cultural activities.
In addition, ISSJS also provides opportunities to learn languages like Prakrat and Sanskrit, study Jain holy texts like Acaranga, Uttradhyana, Rattankarand Shravakachar, Samayasara for short periods. These specialized programs will be in the afternoons and require a minimum participation of three students.
ISSJSs offered in 2010:
| Program | Class size | Duration | Objective |
| ISSJS2010-3W | 12-14 | June 1st – June 21st 2010 | Introductory program |
| ISSJS2010-6W | 12-14 | May 26th – July 6th 2010 | Advanced program |
| ISSJS2010-O | 12-14 | May 26th – June 16th 2010 | Specialized program |
| ISSJS2010-M | 15-20 | April 18th – May 8th 2010* | For Southeast Asian participants. |
For details and online application for admissions, please visit www.jainstudies.org
Eligibility:
This program is open to all scholars in related areas of study engaged in teaching /research or pursuing higher studies in any accredited university worldwide only. All participants are expected to be fluent in English since this program is offered using English as the medium of instruction.
Specialization in Jainism is not required. However, successful program applicants will have prior experience in the academic studies of South Asia /its religions or Hindi/Sanskrit/Prakrat and having the long term objective of including study of Jainism and/ or these fields.
While this is a non sectarian program, yet due to the fact that participants are intimately engaged with jain community, applicants must be willing to respectfully adhere to certain Jain principles while in India for the program.
You can download the application form and email or mail the complete application form to ISJS. You can also apply online from our website. ISJS accepts applications throughout the year but the deadline to apply for ISSJS2010 is February 14th 2010. If you have questions about the application process, please contact ISJS at info@jainstudies.org.
Program Costs and our generous financial package:
ISSJS provides complete hospitality (tuition, board, lodge, travel) to all participants in India. Almost all participants accepted for ISSJS2010-6W will also be eligible for a generous financial assistance program from ISJS.
The only charge in India from each participants is US$400 or US$500 per participant depending on the program applied for to partially cover expenses in India. For overseas ISSJSs, these charges vary from place to place and are minimal or nil.
About ISSJS
The International Summer School for Jain Studies provides an important link between the Jain community and the academic world. The Jain community despite its small number has, and continues to have, a large impact on Indian religious, social and cultural life. The academic study off Jainism is still an underdeveloped area of research. The spirit of the ISSJS is to work towards rectifying this omission in scholarly inquiry by fostering an interest in Jainism in universities around the world.
ISSJS programs are run by International School for Jain Studies, a project of Mahavir Vision Inc, a non- profit tax exempt, 501 C-3 organization. ISJS works in collaboration with Academic Studies of Jainism in North America (ASJNA), World Council of Jain Academies (WCJA) and Jain Academic Foundation of North America (JAFNA), University of Ottawa, American Institute of Indian Studies and Shastri Indo Canadian Institute (SICI).
The entire program in India and overseas of ISSJS is run and administered by an independent India registered Indian organization which is non profit, tax exempt, section 80G organization, called International School for Jain Studies New Delhi India.
ISSJS programs were started in 2005. Since then 123 participants have benefitted by attending these programs in five annual summer programs. Last year ISSJS was also organized at Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand. The participants came from eighteen universities and eight countries of the world.
Contact information and mailing address:
Director Admissions
International School for Jain studies
D28 Panchsheel Enclave
New Delhi110017 India
Email: admission@jainstudies.org or info@jainstudies.org
www.jainstudies.org
USA: scjain@ earthlink.net; Canada: annevalley@gmail.com; Thailand: jain_pm@hotmail.com
ISJS 2009 retreat in Karnataka and Kerala India
The governing council members from USA and their spouses are meeting in the holy Jain town of Shravanbelogola Karnataka India from Nov 23rd to 27th 2009. This annual retreat is to review the activities, performance of ISJS in 2009 and finalize plans for 2010. These annual retreats have been a regular feature of ISSJS program and it is the first time that it is being held in India. The retreat is followed by a week long tourism expedition to God’s own country Kerala.
Seminars on Social Consciousness and approaches in Jain religion
ISJS, in association with leading universities of India and Canada, is pleased to announce organizing a series of regional seminars ( 5 to 7 in major cities /Jain centres), one national seminar (Delhi) and an international seminar (Canada) on ‘Social consciousness and approaches in Jain religion. These seminars will be held in the month of March-April 2010 in India followed by an international seminar in Canada in August 2010.
Subjects associated with the seminar on which papers are invited from distinguished experts.
A. Social topics with primary reference to their applications as per Jain religion only.
B. Jain texts and doctrines describing social engagements for Jains.
C. Case studies
D. Statistical reports /presentation
Regional, national and international seminars:
Each region may focus on one or more than one area as primary and others as secondary if possible. Each region will invite at least six papers selected for presentation. Other papers which are considered reasonably well shall be compiled also separately and the writers invited for informal presentations /group discussions. All papers will be sent to National seminar for compilation and record.
Out of the papers presented, each region will nominate one speaker for the national seminar. The national seminar will have two to three additional speakers to present their papers. National seminar will select two papers for sending to the international seminar. Authors of these papers shall get some financial support to travel and present their papers.
Acceptance of papers at regional seminars will be done by the regional academic council. However the regional council will send the papers to national council to avoid repetition of subjects at other regional seminars and approval.
Regional Coordinators &contact addresses
| Place | University* | Coordinators |
| Atul | Dr. Mrs. Vimla Lalbhai, to-taral@gmail.com | |
| Chennai: | Madras | Dr. Priya Jain University of Madras, priyadarshanajain@yahoo.in |
| Delhi: | JNU /SLBSSV | Prof. P.C.Jain , Dr Shugan Jain, svana@vsnl.com |
| Jaipur: | Rajasthan | Prof. Kusum Jain, Mrs Shivani Bothra, shivanibothra@gmail.com |
| Hastinapur: | Prof. Anupam Jain, anupamjain@yahoo.co.in | |
| Mumbai: | Mumbai | Prof. Meenal Katarnikar, mili21mili@yahoo.co.uk |
| Mr. Manish Mody, manishymody@gmail.com | ||
| Varanasi: | Dr. S.P.Pandey, pvri@sify.com | |
| Vijayavada: | Nagarajuna | Prof. Murli Mohan, murli_sriram@yahoo.co. |
*likely and approvals of some of them awaited