Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology
National Seminar On Jain Way Of Life In Modern Scenario
Friday 6th & Saturday 7th February 2009
The present world is changing very fast. The miraculous advancement in science and technology has made the concept of global village true. Light-legged means of transportation and communication, internet, cell-phone etc. have shrunk the physical distances. Because of materialistic and mechanical outlook our world is facing acute problems like animal testing and global warming.
With materialistic approach, religious and social liberalization is not doing good but causing harm to the humanity. The humanity today is getting the most serious threat from terrorism. Life for common man was never so difficult as to-day. World, because of terrorism, has been in the grip of problems, which are never ending. Thus to find the solution of the burning problems of the world is the utmost necessity of the day.
Earlier, the present problems did not exist and human life was not so complicated as today. Religious faith occupied an important place in the life and was a convenient source of satisfaction and pleasure. The religion, specially the Jain has propounded very useful doctrine to bring happiness in the life of man in the form of the Ahimsa - Non-Violence, Non-possession, Aparigraha, Anekantavada (Non-absolutism). These doctrines were instrumental in solving the difficult problems of the world. Besides, the Jain religion has also preached Satya - truth, Samyama- restraint, Samatva - equanimity, tapa - penances etc. means for the happiness of life. These doctrines of Jain religion are as relevant to-day as were in the past. These Jain doctrines are very useful for solving the problems of the present World.
The Jain texts preach how to lead a life. To-day, our youth deprived of the knowledge of our culture, is adopting the life-style of western world which is creating a number of problems. To get rid of this problem, understanding and knowledge of the Jain way of life is useful.
The life of Kumarpala, Vastupal-Tejpal, Pethadashah etc. historical persons are instances of Jain way of life and are available in Jain works. To evaluate the utility of their lives in modern context, a seminar is going to be organized. There would be serious deliberations in this seminar on the vivid aspects of life as depicted in Jain texts.
You are a scholar of Jain religion and philosophy. You have made a significant contribution in this field. You are requested to present a paper in this proposed seminar on the subject mentioned below.
This seminar will be held on Friday 6th & Saturday 7th February 2009 in India International Centre, New Delhi. You are requested to send the topic and abstract of your paper within one month time.
Abstract
- Abstracts will be expected by 15 November 2008
- Please note that the presentation of the paper in this National Seminar on "Jain way of life in modern scenario" will be decided on the basis of submitted abstract.
- Your complete paper should reach to us before 15th December 2008
- Participation in this seminar without presenting a paper is also possible but in this case no TA/DA will be offered. Only boarding and lodging facility could be provided.
- If you wish to participate only as an audience, please contact the undersigned by e-mail / post.
Language Of The Papers
The papers may be presented in English or Hindi language. The quotations or extracts from original Prakrit/Sanskrit texts may be given in Devanagari Script or in Roman with diacritical marks.
Programme
Inauguration:
Friday 6th February 2009
Valedictory:
Saturday 7th February 2009
Academic Sessions:
Approximately 7-8
Duration:
2 days
Venue
India International Centre
40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi 110003
Paper Presentation
Generally speaking, 20 minutes will be allotted for presentation and 10 minutes for panel discussion on each paper.
The Papers presented in this Seminar will be brought out as the proceedings of the Seminar.
Convener Of The Seminar
Dr. Jitendra B. Shah
Professor, Director, L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
Topics Suggested
- Jain way of life
- Jain doctrine
- Doctrine of Syadvada and its application
- Nature of charity according to Jain tradition
- Scientific nature of Jain rituals
- Life and Anekantavada
- Meditation and Jain Religion
- Jain Religion and science
- Jain religion and business
- Jain religion and polity
- Worship, Pratikramana and Samayika
- Chaturvidha Sangha and their deities
- Jain Religion and History
- Prominent Jain personalities
- Salient features of Jain Religion
- Jain religion and Vegetarianism
- Global warming and Jain Religion
- Scholars of Jainism & Modern Age
Short Introduction Of The BLII
The Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology is a premier institution of International repute located in the metropolis, engaged in research work on Indology, dissemination of knowledge on Prakrit Language & Literature, Jain Philosophy & Religion, Manuscriptology & Research Methodology etc. It was founded at Patan in Gujarat, the native place of Shri Bhogilal Leherchand, in 1980. It was shifted to the Vijay Vallabh Smarak Complex, Delhi in 1984. The aim was to give concrete shape to the ideals expressed by the revered Acharya.
The Institute has a rich collection of more than 25,000 manuscripts, acquired from various Bhandaras including those brought over from Pakistan. The Institute has built up a very rich and well-managed library. Presently, there are more than 30,000 books and it also subscribes a number of National / International Indological, Socio-cultural Journals, periodicals etc. The institute awards fellowships and scholarships, holds National, International Seminars and 3-week duration Intensive Summer Schools in Prakrit Language and Literature on annual basis. The Institute also has a well-equipped computer centre with modern facilities. It has brought out 19 valuable publications on different aspects of Indology, till date.
Seminars
The Institute has successfully organized four international Seminars on 'Jain Philosophy and Epistemology' (22 to 25 December 1990), on 'Umasvati & his works' (4 to 6 January, 1999), on 'Mahavira and Ahimsa' in the 21st Century, (10-12 April, 2001) and on Yogic traditions of India with special reference to the Jain Yoga (6-9 December 2006. Similarly, BLII has successfully organized four National Seminars, till date, on 'Haribhadra Suri (1)' 27-28 September, 1986, on 'Arhat Parsva with Dharanendra in Literature, Inscriptions and Arts' 21-24 March, 1987 and on 'Haribhadra Suri (2)' 25-27 September, 1987.
These seminars were convened by such stalwarts of Indological studies as Prof. B. K. Matilal, Prof. S. R. Banerjee, Prof. M. A. Dhaky, Prof. Namwar Singh and Prof. Prem Singh, Prof. Christopher Chapple and Prof. J. B. Shah.
Correspondence At
Director
B. L. Institute of Indology
Vijay Vallabh Smarak Complex,
20 Km., G. T. Karnal Road,
P. O. Alipur, Delhi 110036
The Organising Committee
1.
Pratap Bhogilal
Patron
2.
Nirmal Bhogilal
Chairman
3.
Dr. J. B. Shah
Vice-chairman
4.
N. P. Jain
Vice-chairman
5.
Gp. Capt. V. K. Jain
Deputy Chairman
6.
Deven Yashwant
Treasurer
7.
Dr. Dhanesh Jain
Member
8.
Darshan Kumar Jain
Member
9.
Prof. J. P. Vidyalankar
Advisor
10.
Dr. Balaji Ganorkar
Director