ISSJS.2017-Report

INTERNATIONA L SCHOOL FORJAIN STUDIES SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITYINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR JAIN STUDIES REPORT 13th year of Residential Summer Schools (10th June -28th July 2017) 6W, Yoga and TFP groups with Hon'ble Minister Smt. Maneka Gandhi at Acharya Sushilmuni Ashram International School for Jain Studies D-28, Panchsheel Enclave, New Delhi - 110 017 web: www.isjs.in; Email: [email protected] Phone# +91-11-4079 3387

Report - 13th year of Residential Summer Schools (10th June - 28th July, 2017)The thirteenth summer schools were successfully completed. This year we wereconstrained to limit the number of participants and compact the duration due toconstraints of facilities availability in Delhi. Table shows the number of participantswho attended the five programs during the summer school.Program Target Participants Duration # of Participants 4W UG and PG in religious studies 4weeks 15 6W 6weeks 05 Yoga Faculty and Researchers 3weeks 14 TFP MA(Yoga) Students 3weeks 19 High School teachers forAhimsaHighlights of this year’s summer schools are:1. Lecture by Hon’ble Minister Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Minster for Women and Child Development, Government of India on July 12thAcharya Sushilmuni Ashram, Defence Colony, New Delhi. She talked about Non- Violence and economy and gave a very detailed analysis of the same to show strong correlation between growth in practice of nonviolence and economy. She also talked about child abuse and non violence. The lecture was attended by all thirty eight overseas participants except the 4W participants who had already completed their studies and left the school.2. The 6W participants though small in number but consisted of three full time professors and two PhD students that resulted in extended academic discussions after the lectures.3. The TFP program was particularly enriched this year with an additional team of four experts deliberating on conflict resolution, rational thinking, and developing a sense of belonging to the country amongst teachers and students. These lectures were held at Naval Veerayatan, the picturesque hilltop meditation retreat of Shri Firodia Trust near Pune.Monthly Lecture SeriesSince 2015, we have started sharing our knowledge with Jains also by conducting amonthly lecture series at Acharya Sushil Muni Ashram, Defence Colony. Already 26lectures have been delivered and are well received by fellow Jains.Research Activities During the current year we have initiated a major field study based research project on Sociology of Jain community in India. The project is likely to be completed by end December 2018. Also we organized a Two days long seminar on Antiquity of Jainism sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research at India International Centre, New Delhi. Over fifteen leading scholars deliberated in the seminar.

Comments from participants:It is difficult to articulate all the ways that this trip has changed me (as a person, sister,daughter, student, teacher and advocate). The lectures in the program introduced meto 3 Jain Values (Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekant) that I will strive to live as I startmy career. I could not ask for a better time to have been surrounded by Jaincommunity who modelled these values via their works in schools, hospitals, farms,museums, businesses and animal sanctuaries. Indeed they embody the soul force andthe incredible power of nonviolence which Mahatma Gandhi described and lived by.I hope to stay in touch to continue learning from you. ~Ms. Madison Vorva , ISSJS.2017-TFPThank you for your valuable lectures, your unending kindness and your constantpatience and positivity. I feel grateful to have attended this program and learned fromthe same. I appreciate and will try to heed all the learning. Thank you for helping meto minimize my anxiety and focus onAhimsa, the good. ~Ms. Maggie Phenice, ISSJS.2017-TFP Pictures ISSJS.2017-4W & 6W Class at Vallabh Smarak, Delhi ISSJS.2017-Yoga Group at Green Park Jain Temple, Delhi

ISSJS.2017-TFP Group at Navalveerayatan, PuneISSJS.2017-TFP Group having interaction with students and teachers at Jalgaon Seminar on Antiquity of Jainism at IIC, Delhi