Dr. Harshad Sanghrajka
Birkbeck College, University of London
1. Course Outline
| Academic Year | 2005-06 |
| Course Code | FFRS017UALB |
| Subject Area | Religious Studies |
| Course Title | Jain Manuscripts: Atmasiddhi |
| Type of Course | Certificate & Diploma |
| Institution | Institute of Jainology |
| Number of Meetings | 12 Wednesday sessions ~ Starting Wednesday 5th April |
| Course Taught by | Harshad N Sanghrajka |
| Course Fee | £ 86.00/ concession available at £ 43.00 |
| Course Location | Canon’s High School ~ 8:00 to 10:00 PM |
2. Entrance Requirements
- Fluency in English is a pre-requisite.
- Knowledge of basic Jainism.
- No formal academic requirements necessary.
3. Course Aims
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to a 20th century Jain scripture, in context of the author’s particular views. Passage readings will introduce both terminology and style, whilst the subject will further explore key Jain doctrines.
The student will develop skills in reading Jain manuscripts and handling analyse religious and social themes within religious texts.
4. Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be familiar with the central themes of the Atmasiddhi and Srimad Rajcandra as a historic personality.
The student will also be familiar with the Jain ‘Lay Path’ as described in the text; as well as develop skills in analysing the evolution of the doctrine from early Jainism.
This should form a foundation from which the student can read and objectively analyse further Jain texts.
5. Teaching Methods
- Formal lectures covering course content
- Debates
6. Method of Assessment
- 100% coursework/essay
7. Course Content
- Introduction
- Block 1 – Shrimad Rajchandra – historical outline
- Block 2 – Significance of Atma Siddhi in Jain literature
- Block 3 – Selected verses from Atma Siddhi
8. Bibliography
Essential Reading
- Srimad Rajacandra. The Self-realization. [Âtma-siddhi] Tr. Sri Brahmacari Govardhanadasaji. Agas, Gujarat: Srimad Rajacandra Ashram, 1985.
- Srimad Rajacandra. Âtmasiddhi. Tr. Manu Doshi. Gandhinagar, Gujarat: Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra, 2003.
- Dundas, Paul. The Jains. London: Routledge, 1992
- Jaini, Padmanabh. The Jaina Path of Purification. Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass, (1979), 1990.
Additional Reading
- Kapadia, Hiralal Rasikdas. A History Of The Canonical Literature Of The Jains. Ahmedabad: Sharadaben Chimanlal Education Research Centre, (1941), 2000.
- Umasvati. That Which Is. [Tattvarthadhigamasutra.] With the combined commentaries of Umasvati/ Umasvami, Pujyapada and Siddhasenagani. Tr. N. Tatia. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994.
9. Coursework Titles For The Session
- Discuss the key events in Shrimad Rajcandra’s life.
- Describe the structure of Atmasiddhi.
- Outline the six fundamental doubts in Atmasiddhi.
10. Submission and return dates for coursework
- Submission: May 2006
- Return Dates: June 2006