Dear Reader,
Jai Jinendra!🙏
India celebrates its 80th Independence Day by moving towards greater self-reliance and creating opportunities for its citizens to lead fulfilling lives through quality education, skills, and a strong sense of belonging. Our younger generation has more choices, information, and possibilities than any generation before it. Yet, this abundance can also be overwhelming. It therefore needs to be complemented by inner development – enabling young people to use these opportunities wisely, enhance their own well-being, and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of their society and country.
The International School for Jain Studies (ISJS) draws its approach to value education from the vast Indian knowledge, with a particular emphasis on Jainism. By working with teachers who influence young minds, ISJS seeks to help the younger generation understand the challenges of our times and bring values into the way they think, learn, and act – enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to their own and others’ well-being.
A unique opportunity to build expertise in Prakrit and Jain studies awaits aspiring scholars. Applications for the 7th Bhagwan Mahavira Prakrit Fellowship are open until August 20, 2026. Hosted at Abhay Prabhavana, Pune, the prestigious nine-month residential programme (September-May) offers intensive language training alongside the study of Jain intellectual traditions. With only a few seats remaining, interested students, researchers, and faculty members are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
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ISJS has introduced its Value Education, Peace and Harmony Program for Educators, aimed at helping teachers create ethical, compassionate, inclusive, and peaceful learning environments. Rooted in ahimsa (non-violence) and universal values, the programme equips K-12 educators with practical tools to integrate empathy, integrity, respect, self-discipline, and conflict resolution skills into classroom practices. The 3-7 days program includes interactive workshops, teacher training, peace and harmony seminars, and customized sessions for institutions. Schools, colleges, and other academic institutions can organize the program at their campus or at the ISJS office. Interested institutions can contact info@isjs.in for details and applications.
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Applications are now open for the 10-day ISJS Online Winter Program, offering an engaging introduction to Jain philosophy, ethics, and the Jain way of life. Designed for students, researchers, faculty members, teachers, professionals, and anyone interested in the academic study of Jainism, the program brings together distinguished scholars and Jain practitioners. Participants will explore key aspects of Jain thought through expert lectures, interactive discussions, and conversations with practitioners. Conducted in English, the program will be held online from 28 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, welcoming participants from India and around the world.
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Recognition for outstanding scholarship in Jain studies begins with your submission. Entries are invited for the Bhagwan Kunthunath ISJS Awards 2025-2026, which honour exceptional books and research papers in Jain studies published between April 2025 and March 2026. Scholars who have authored eligible publications are encouraged to submit their entries for consideration. This is an opportunity to highlight significant contributions to the field and gain recognition from the wider Jain studies community.
Last date for submission: August 31, 2026
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and ISJS invite applications for The Jaina Experience: Texts and Practice, a five-part certificate programme exploring Jain ethics, cosmology, yoga, and meditation through classical texts and lived traditions. Beginning September 20, 2026, the program combines live online sessions with an optional study tour in India, offering participants an opportunity to engage with Jain philosophy through both academic learning and experiential exploration. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate from Loyola Marymount University.
Limited scholarships for the online course are available for interested participants based in India. For details, contact snpandey@isjs.in
ISJS invites you to a thought-provoking lecture on “Science That Matters: The Jain Quest for Inner Transformation” by Mr. Anubhav Jain, as part of its online lecture series.
Mr. Jain is a scholar and educator, holding an MBA in Strategy & Finance from IIM Indore and a Chartered Accountancy qualification. He has been engaged in the study, teaching and dissemination of Jain philosophy in India and internationally since 2009.
The Zoom link and program details will be shared through ISJS’s various social media platforms.
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM onwards
ISJS President Dr. Shugan C. Jain, along with his daughter Anita Jain, participated in the Caux Forum 2026, organised by Initiatives of Change of the Caux Foundation in partnership with the Inner Development Goals (IDG) initiative. They conducted an experiential workshop, The Alchemy of Forgiveness: Jain Perspective integrating Jain philosophy with contemporary psychology and neuroscience.
The forum brought together around 200 participants from diverse cultures, faiths, professions and generations to explore inner development and pathways to positive change.
The Department of AIHC and Archaeology, Deccan College, Pune, under the aegis of the Bhagwan Shitalnath Chair for Jain Archaeology (funded by ISJS), conducted the third National Annual Research Seminar on Jain Art, Architecture and Archaeology on 14 August. The seminar brought together young scholars and researchers who presented their work on Jain art, architecture and archaeology, the history of Jainism, iconography, narratives, inscriptions, and related subjects.
The inaugural session was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Prasad Joshi and Dr. Shrinetra Pandey, Director ISJS was the Guest of Honour. Prof. Shrinivas Padigar delivered the keynote address, and Dr. Shubha Majumder was the valedictory speaker.
The reigning head and pontiff of the historic Digambara Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, Swasti Shri Abhinava Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji visited ISJS on August 1, 2026.
During his visit, Swamiji took keen interest in the activities and initiatives of ISJS and interacted with scholars associated with the institute. He also blessed the institute and its ongoing academic and educational activities. Swamiji also visited the Abhay Prabhavana Museum and Knowledge Centre and admired its presentation of ideas and educational initiatives showcasing Jain heritage, philosophy, and culture. His visit was a significant and inspiring occasion for the ISJS community and provided an opportunity for meaningful interaction between the Jain monastic tradition and contemporary academic scholarship.
The Speak Up section in this edition features an article titled Language Subordination and Linguistic Decline in the Pithika to Todarmal’s Samyagjnanachandrika by Dr. Anahita Hoose, Research Fellow, ISJS.
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Applications are invited from Prakrit scholars to join a team of lexicographers at ISJS working to make this ancient Indian language more accessible to an international readership. The project offers an excellent opportunity for scholars with proficiency in Prakrit (Hemachandra grammar) and English. Applicant must have a comprehensive knowledge of Jainism. As only a limited number of positions are available, interested applicants are encouraged to apply at the earliest by sending an expression of interest along with their CV to snpandey@isjs.in
Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun, has invited applications for various faculty positions in the Department of Jainology and Comparative Religion.
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Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, has invited online applications for one Temporary Guest Scholar position under the Tirthankar Ajitnath Jain Study Program at its Centre for Hindu Studies.
We are excited to announce that ISJS has created a WhatsApp Group to keep our global members updated with the latest activities and initiatives.
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ISJS warmly invites its associates, alumni, and well-wishers to share regular feedback on our newsletters and activities. Your insights play a vital role in enhancing ISJS initiatives and expanding our outreach.
Read More →Email: info@isjs.in | Website: www.isjs.in
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