Nearly 40 students from over a dozen countries are participating in a three-week immersive program at Jain Vishwa Bharati in Rajasthan, supported by Dr. Jasvant Modi and Florida International University.
The Vishwa Bharati Institute, located in the Rajasthani city of Ladnun, is hosting a significant three-week immersive program in collaboration with Florida International University (FIU). This initiative brings together nearly 40 students, scholars, and professors from more than 12 countries to explore the “Jain Way of Life,” as detailed in a recent press release.
Designed as a think tank inspired by the United Nations, the program aims to promote “Ahimsa to bring peace” by encouraging participants to learn and adopt a lifestyle with the world’s lowest carbon footprint.
Participants are deeply engaging in the study and practice of Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, which emphasizes core values such as Anekantvad (the multiplicity of viewpoints) and Aparigraha (non-possession).
This initiative has been made possible through the collaborative funding efforts of Florida International University, various donors, and the Jain Vishwa Bharati Institute. The Jain Education and Research Foundation (JERF) is co-sponsoring the program, with Dr. Jasvant Modi of the Vardhamana Charitable Foundation serving as the Grand Sponsor.
Founded by Dr. Modi, the Vardhamana Charitable Foundation is committed to promoting peace through the educational values of Jainism.
The program is hosted on the expansive 125-acre campus of Jain Vishwa Bharati, which is home to 500 sadhus and sadhvis, over 200 saman and samanijis, and several mumukshus, or seekers of liberation.
This vision was brought to fruition by Prof. Samni Dr. Pratibha Pragyaji, with the blessings and inspiration of Acharya Mahashramanji. The academic planning was executed through the dedicated efforts of Dr. Sasha Restifo from FIU and Dr. Shivani Bothra from California State University, Long Beach.
Dr. Nirmal Baid, co-chair of the Jain Education and Research Foundation and Program Director of the Immersive Jain Summer School, highlighted the program’s unique approach. “What makes this program distinctive is that it refuses to separate the classroom from the community,” he noted. “A scholar can study the Prakrit grammar of a text in the morning and sit in the presence of hundreds of monastics by evening. That combination is very hard to find anywhere else, and it changes how people understand what they are studying.”
This immersive experience not only enriches the participants’ academic pursuits but also fosters a deeper understanding of Jain philosophy and its application in modern life.
The program exemplifies a growing trend in educational initiatives that seek to blend academic learning with real-world experiences, particularly in the context of cultural and philosophical studies.
As the program unfolds, participants are expected to gain invaluable insights into the principles of Jainism, which emphasize non-violence, truth, and respect for all living beings.
According to Source Name, the initiative is set to leave a lasting impact on the students, equipping them with knowledge and experiences that transcend traditional classroom boundaries.