In the last decade, donors have funded endowed positions in Jain studies at a dozen universities, mainly in California. They have also sponsored lectureships and postdoctoral fellowships. The dedicated group of American Jain donors are seeking to expand US awareness of their ancient religion beyond an estimated 5 million to 10 million mainly Indian followers. And they think academia is the best place to do so.
The latest such effort is by Dr. Shailendra Palvia and Mrs. Rajkumari Palvia whose gift of $250,000 to Georgia College & State University (GCSU) will establish the “S & R Palvia Endowed Veetraag Vigyaan Professorship in Jain Studies.”
Dr Palvia is Professor Emeritus, Long Island University (LIU) in New York. There is already an endowment in his name at LIU for Jain Scholar Speaker Series.
The endowed professorship will allow the Georgia College Department of Philosophy, Religion and Liberal Studies (PALS) to facilitate the infusion of Jain perspectives in courses like philosophy, religion, literature, history and art. GCSU plans to hire the Endowed Professor in Jain Studies — who will teach courses incorporating Jain perspectives — by Fall 2023.
In a statement, Dr. Eric Tenbus, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said: “The gift to endow a professorship in Jain Studies is a wonderful opportunity for Georgia College students to further explore the diverse religious cultures of the wider world and to learn about the similarities and differences between various religious traditions, all with the understanding that the world is becoming a smaller place and that we in higher education have an obligation to encourage our students to seek out knowledge and understanding from across the vastness of human civilization. That is at the core of a liberal arts education.”
Originating in India, the three core pillars of Jainism are “Ahimsa,” meaning non-violence towards all living beings ; “Anekantwad,” invoking respect for all perspectives on any issue; and “Aparigraha,” seeking satisfaction with limited possessions.
Said Dr. Sunita Manian, Chair of PALS, “PALS already embodies the core tenets of Jainism in its courses: Anekantwad is the basis of our liberal arts commitment to embrace the study of various perspectives: domestic and global, contemporary and historic. Courses in Animal Ethics and Social Justice embody the philosophy of Ahimsa, as it applies to humans and animals. And Aparigraha is the foundation of courses in Environmental Ethics, Food Ethics and Climate Change.”
The initial gift from the Palvia family is complemented by the commitment of an annual gift of $10,000 from the Jain Community of America.
In the next three years, the Jain Community of America will raise an additional gift to permanently fund the program.
