A Quiet Revolution: Jain Studies Find a Home in U.S. Universities
American universities are seeing a significant rise in Jain studies programs, a development fueled by the dedicated efforts of a small group of Jain immigrant families. Since 2010, more than 30 universities across the country have established Jain studies chairs, lectureships, or fellowships, often thanks to substantial individual donations.
One of the key figures in this movement is Dr. Jasvant Modi, a retired physician and immigrant who has been in the U.S. since 1975. When he first arrived, he noted that the Indian immigrant community was just beginning to establish its presence. While Hindu immigrants eventually built many temples, Modi, a follower of the minority Indian religion of Jainism, felt his faith was often misunderstood. He frequently had to clarify that while Jainism shares some principles with Buddhism and Hinduism, it is a distinct tradition that emphasizes nonviolence and does not believe in a “creator” God.
Modi and a group of other Jain immigrants felt it was crucial to increase awareness of their faith in academic settings. They saw universities as “temples of knowledge” and decided to take the initiative to change the narrative. Their efforts have led to remarkable growth in academic offerings.
Donations by philanthropists like Dr Jasvant Modi are inspired by the Jain value of Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness, which encourages giving for the benefit of others when one has more than they need. Most of the new academic chairs created are named after the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism, rather than the families that donated them.
Giving with No Strings Attached
Recently, Modi contributed $1.5 million to establish the Bhagawan Abhinandan Endowed Chair for Jain Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This is the first endowed professorship of its kind at the university. Modi, along with his wife Meera, has also provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to create programs at other universities, including UC Santa Barbara and two California State University campuses. Modi says these donations are inspired by the Jain value of Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness, which encourages giving for the benefit of others when one has more than they need.
This spirit of non-possessiveness is a hallmark of the movement. According to Sulekh Jain, founder of JAINA, the largest Jain organization in the U.S., most of the new academic chairs are named after the 24 tirthankaras (enlightened beings) of Jainism, rather than the donating families themselves. This practice reinforces the faith’s core principles of absolute nonviolence, non-possessiveness, and universal tolerance.
The impact of these programs is already evident. Fifteen years ago, a professor of Jain studies estimated that about 90% of his students had never heard of Jainism. Today, classes and symposiums on the topic are full, sometimes with a waitlist. Students are introduced to new perspectives, broadening their understanding beyond a purely Judeo-Christian worldview.
Sulekh Jain also noted that these programs are encouraging a new generation of Jains to become scholars, marking a shift from the community’s traditional focus on professions such as business, engineering, and medicine. Today, at least 45 students in the U.S. are pursuing a doctorate in Jain studies. This new wave of scholars is examining how Jain values, including environmentalism, can be applied to contemporary life and professional fields.
New Jain studies programs are also set to begin at Rice University and Georgetown University. As Dr. Modi explains, he believes the study of all religions is important because they all share a core purpose: preserving humanity. He hopes that this education will inspire a new generation to become leaders who can “make the world better.”
For more information, please contact Dr Jasvant Modi, jnmodi@hotmail.com
