Center for Jain Studies at CLU

3-Week Teaching for Peace Program

TEACHING FOR PEACE: AN INDIAN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE IN PRACTICAL NONVIOLENCE

International Summer School for Jain Studies (ISSJS), India

JULY 15 - AUGUST 5, 2014

The brutality of much of the world’s past and present highlights the critical need for alternate means of resolving conflicts. Nonviolence (ahimsa in Sanskrit) is a powerful tool for responding to conflict and creating change. Not to be confused with pacifism, it is constructive, fearless, empowering, and above all, inspiring work. Transforming the world begins with transforming individuals, and this program will turn India into a classroom where participants are immersed in a lifestyle of ahimsa.

The International Summer School for Jain Studies (ISSJS) invites you to study ahimsa (non-violence) in India this summer. Participants will travel through New Delhi, Jalgaon, and Pune, for three weeks, studying the landscape of ahimsa practice in food, medicine, health, conflict resolution, race relations, use of labor, economics, and entertainment. Participants will interact with living examples of the practice of ahimsa by meeting teachers, business people, officers of the law, politicians, medical practitioners, engineers, and community leaders; visit schools and hostels where children live and practice nonviolence; visit Gandhi’s cremation grounds, museums, and other places of historical interest; and practice ahimsa meditation, and other contemplative spiritual methods throughout the three weeks.

ELIGIBILITY

K-12 educators, as well as professionals and activists, who want to explore the role of nonviolence in their educational efforts and interactions are encouraged to apply for this immersion program. Applicants should be currently employed or engaged in educational efforts in schools and/or professional or activist organizations. Applicants will be selected based on the criteria described in the below Statement of Purpose. If you have questions on eligibility please contact Laura Hirshfield, the coordinator (contact details below).

COST

The program cost is $600. Cost covers tuition, room and board (with three Jain-friendly vegetarian meals per day), and travel in India. Airfare to India (approx. $1600 roundtrip), visa fees (approx. $100), medical insurance (approx. $70 for traveler’s insurance), transcript costs ($25 per copy), and personal expenses are not covered.

PROGRAM DETAILS

The program runs July 15 through August 5 at ISJS centers in New Delhi, Jalgaon, and Pune. Participants will have daily morning lectures, afternoon discussions, field trips, and one-on-one interactions. Participants will:

• Learn the basics of ahimsa, its foundation, and its scope in everyday life and education

• Practice nonviolence in mind, body, speech, and consumption

• Discuss nonviolent social interactions like tolerance, equanimity, forgiveness, friendship, and self-restraint

• See why ahimsa occupies such a pivotal role in communities and individual lives,

• Explore historical and living examples of ahimsa

• Study Gandhi and how he was influenced by teachings about ahimsa

• Study the economics of ahimsa

• Discover a common thread of ahimsa in world traditions

• Relate the practice of ahimsa to the protection of the environment, and thus the human race

• Draw connections between contemporary issues in education and the use of nonviolence to promote transformative solutions

• Study the landscape of ahimsa practice in food, medicine, health, conflict resolution, race relations, use of labor, economics, entertainment, and more

• Interact with living examples of the practice of ahimsa by meeting teachers, business people, politicians, medical practitioners, engineers, and community leaders

• Visit schools and hostels where children live and practice nonviolence, and interact with students, teachers, and administrators

• Visit Gandhi’s cremation grounds, museums, and other places of historical interest

• Experience practical lessons in ahimsa, meditation, and contemplative spiritual practice

• Collaborate with like-minded colleagues to determine the best application of ahimsa to participants’ personal and professional lives.

Participants can earn 3 graduate semester credits for successfully completing the program (credits will be earned through Mangalayatan University in India, not through Claremont Lincoln University).

For more details on lecture topics and field trip locations, download last year’s program schedule . (Please check back at the end of November for the new 2014 schedule.)

This program is administered by ISSJS in India; Claremont Lincoln only assists in facilitating the process.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please go to the ISSJS application page. You will need to submit an Application Form, and a 1000-word Statement of Purpose. (Please note that all application materials must be submitted directly to ISSJS, not to Claremont Lincoln). Click here for ISSJS application page.

The application deadline is MARCH 10, 2014 (at midnight PST). Candidates will be notified of their admission status via email by end of March 2014.

If you have any additional questions concerning the 3-Week Ahimsa Teaching Program, please contact Laura Hirshfield, Program Coordinator: .

Learn about the Teaching for Peace Faculty here!

Download the specific Teaching for Peace flyer for circulation.