Institute of Jainology » Education

2nd Successful Tour of the Far East by Institute’s Hon Secretary

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:07:50 +0000

Following the successful tour of the Far East last year, Dr Sanghrajka went on a more ambitious tour of almost two months this year.

A summary of his tour report is given here. Photos from this exhaustive tour will b e uploaded in coming days.

Please feel free to make comments or observation on the tour.

Summary Report on Educational Trip to Singapore, Perth and Malaysia

February to April 2010

Harshad N Sanghrajka left for Mumbai on 27^th January and having spent a fortnight in India, took off for Singapore on 12^th February, 2010 to attend the Pratishtha Mahotsava there:

Details of the Mahotsava elsewhere on this site please click here to see it

In one sentence, the event was planned and executed perfectly.

On 17^th February, Harshad left for Perth and delivered a 10 session discussion on Atmasiddhi Shastra to members of the Jain Community of Western Australia. The course in English was attended mostly by youngsters who could not understand Gujarati well. The senior members of the community who could converse in Gujarati chose to hold morning sessions at members’ homes. At the end of the trip, they resolved to form a Jain Seniors Group which would meet on the last Tuesday of each month to discuss selected topics on Jainism.

Malacca was next on the list and discussions were held on a variety of religious topics, in Gujarati in the mornings and English in the evenings from 1^st March to 4^th March. Malacca was in the throes of a new election of the Gujarati Vanik Sangh of Melaka.

Departure from Melaka brought Harshad and Urmila to Penang. Two days of discussions in the hall of Gujarati Seva Samaj in the evenings brought over 40 people from a small community. The reappearance of the majority on the second day proved the popularity of the discussions.

Shri Ashvin Nagbadharia, President of the Samaj was kind enough to drive us from Penang to Ipoh where we had the good fortune to see the Jain temple of Parshvanath Bhagvan. Shri Bharat Jasani and Tarulataben were perfect hosts and invited the public to a discourse on 10^th March. Again, a good response of over 40 in a very small Gujarati community in Ipoh which lasted over 2 hours.

At this point it was time to trace our steps back to Singapore, the Lion city. Atmasiddhi course had been well organised and raring to go. Gujarati sessions were planned for afternoons with 60+ and English in the after dinner sessions with 50+. Over 100 certificates were issued to participants.

The last stop on the educational side was Kuala Lumpur. The 10 days were planned over the Ayambil period and afforded additional time for discussions with the ladies who were present from early morning till late afternoon. Formally the course was run in Gujarati in the early morning session and English in the after dinner sessions. A special evening was reserved for youngsters only to address their personal concerns related to Jainism on 1^st April. Many interesting aspects of everyday life were discussed and explained logically to the satisfaction of all present. A summary explanation of Paryushan, Pratikraman and rituals generally was delivered using power point slides.

Departure from KL on 2^nd April, with a night stop in Singapore as guests of Shri Bharat and Kirtida Mekani brought back the pleasant memories of the pratishtha and course activities in Singapore. We said a final farewell to all the EC Members at the Sangh Sthanak on 3^rd, spent a couple of nights in Mumbai and arrived in Dubai on 5^th. Four days of pleasant sightseeing in Dubai and back to London on 9^th April to the comforts of home-sweet-home.

Grateful thanks to all organisations and individuals who made our trip pleasant and comfortable.

‘Learn Jainism’ Book Reviewed

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:42:53 +0000

The popular on line children’s book reviewing site, Write Away recently reviewed the Institute’s recent publication. Following is an extract from their web site at

http://www.writeaway.org.uk/component/option,com_weblinks/Itemid,23/

Discover Jainism^New! ^Featured

For teachers and pupils wanting to learn more about Jainism, an ancient faith of non-violence, resources have been limited. Although RE teachers are now being asked to teach about minority faiths, the problem is working out the key areas of the religion and what elements connect with their pupils. This is why Colin Hynson’s Discover Jainism, published by the Institute of Jainology, is a unique book and a useful addition to the classroom. Anyone who works their way through it will have a very good grounding in the religion, its sects, key ideas, worship and history. They will also know that the information within it can be trusted.

The glossary is extremely helpful, and links to websites and suggested places to visit are included. The book does not go down the path of concentrating on the exotic. Although the image of a Jain monk or nun with a covered mouth to avoid breathing in insects is very powerful, this is put into its cultural and religious context and clearly explained. It is very clear on Jain values. The inclusion of a picture of an animal shelter for old and abandoned cows, shows what ahimsa (non-violence) can mean in action.

‘Discover Jainism’, although fascinating and insightful, is an information rich book that feels more like an encyclopedia than a school textbook. Although there are brightly coloured backgrounds, pictures and a cheerful font used, some paragraphs take up a third of a page without a break. The most accessible page is one that shows the Jain symbol, as the combination of the symbol and explanatory text works well. What the book misses out on is any link with the themes and the reader’s own experience. There is no connection with the area of ‘learning from religion’, it is all ‘learning about’. Focus questions at the end of each section, for example, would make the reader think about their own feelings about non-violence and other themes in Jainism. Quotations from Jain children would also help show how an ancient religion has modern relevance.

This book definitely takes the fear factor away from learning about a new and different belief system. The linked website www.learnjainism.org contains material which will support this book. The upcoming Jainpedia event at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with connected education activities and resources, looks exciting and will help raise awareness of this ancient faith.

2010-04-03

Write Review Recommend Print

Listing Information
Author:	Colin Hynson
Genre:	Religious Education textbook
Age Range (see age categories):	9+
Curriculum Subject:	Religious Education
Theme/Subject:	Jainism
Publisher:	Institute of Jainology
ISBN:	9780955483905
Reviewer:	Anne Krisman
Title:	Discover Jainism
Hits:	14
Added:	2010-04-02 15:12:20
Last updated:	2010-04-03 21:06:12

New Blog for Updates on ‘Learn Jainism’ Launched

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:58:48 +0000

The ‘Learn Jainism’ website there is now supported by its blog ‘Learn Jainism’ . It will be used to provide updates about new developments on the ‘Learn Jainism’ website.

There will also be news about publications of new books aimed at classroom and school events such as training opportunities for teachers.

Visitors can sign up to receive regular updates from the ‘Learn Jainism’ blog. They will also opportunity to leave their own comments or questions about ‘Learn Jainism’.

The blog can be found at:

http://learnjainism.wordpress.com/

Learnjainism site at:

http://www.learnjainism.org/default.asp

Colin Hynson, the author of the book ‘ Learn Jainism’ and the webmaster for its web site – it will provide a perfect opportunity to discuss or raise issues through the blog.

Learn Jainism site at:

Primary Schools Should Teach Jainism in R E

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:17:31 +0000

Institute’s Hon Secretary/Director has been working with the Religious Education Council for last few years and lately has become one of their Trustees. During his time there he has been working consistently to gain recognition for Jain religion.

Two years ago, the first ever book on Jainism for the R E education in English Primary Schools, Learn Jainism was published by the Institute. Harrow Council was the first council in England to incorporate Jainism in their RE Curriculum. More councils are in process of incorporating Jainism in their curricula.

A second book in the same series in due to b e published soon to reinforce the inroads being made by the first book.

The efforts made by our Secretary and the publication of these books are begining to bear fruit as evidenced by the following article that appeared in Daily Telegraph written by their Education Editor on 29th January.

Primary schools should teach about Jainism and Zoroastrianism in RE

Children as young as five should be given lessons in minority religions such as Baha’i, Jainism and Zoroastrianism, according to Government guidance.

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor DAILY TELEGRAPH
Published: 6:12PM GMT 29 Jan 2010 ”Pupils in primary schools should be taught about “world faiths”, even though many only have a few thousand followers in Britain.

Religious education classes should also cover atheism alongside Christianity and five other major religions – Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Hinduism.

It is the first time the Government has produced guidance specifically tailored towards primary schools, although teachers do not have to follow it.

Diana Johnson, the Schools Minister, said it was vital that children developed a good understanding of other people’s beliefs.

“This means learning about Christianity and other religions like Islam, Hinduism and Judaism, but also considering other secular beliefs such as humanism and atheism,” she said. “Our society has never been so diverse, and good religious education plays an important role in helping to keep this country a tolerant and inclusive place to live.

“RE goes much further than just helping children understand why different people believe different things: it also gives them the chance to ask questions about their own beliefs and spirituality, and provokes challenging ethical questions.”

Religious education is compulsory in all state schools. But it is not on the national curriculum.

Instead, syllabuses are drawn up locally by committees of officials, teachers and religious groups.

But critics claim it has led to patchy lessons across the country – leaving children ignorant of many minority faiths.

The latest guidance is intended to help improve the standard of lessons in primary schools.

The document says: “To ensure that all children’s backgrounds and experiences are taken into account, it is recommended that there are also opportunities to study other religious traditions such as the Baha’i faith, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism, and secular world views, such as humanism, where appropriate.”

The Baha’i faith, which believes all religions have true and valid origins, has around 6,000 observers in Britain.

Jains believe in living lives of harmlessness and renunciation and are often vegetarians or celibate. There are thought to be 30,000 in Britain.

Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster, who founded the religion in ancient Iran 3,500 years ago. Followers believe there is a cosmic war being waged between good and evil and number some 140,000 worldwide.

The Government’s guidance says that schools which have a significant religious community living nearby could learn about that faith.

“This could include, for example, traditional religions such as those from African countries or China,” it says.

”

Whilst there is acceptance that the religion has to be taught to the children, we also have a task on our hands to ensure that news editors, journalists are provided with authoritative information on Jain religion and its practices.

University of Oslo Offers Three Fellowships.

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:04:28 +0000

Scholars in Jain Community may wish to avail themselves of the opportunities being offered by the University of Oslo, Norway.

Up to 3 fellowships are being offered at The Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Education through the Kultrans program. Up to two doctoral fellowships will be at the Faculty of Humanities. We’d be glad to welcome proposals in the field of Indology/South Asian Studies.

The last date for submitting applications is 1 February, 2010.

http://www.admin.uio.no/opa/ledige-stillinger/2009/vitenskapelige/upto3doctoralfellowKultransHF-2009-1747.html

–
Ute Huesken
Professor of Sanskrit
Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages
University of Oslo
Faculty of Humanities
P.O. Box 1010 Blindern
N-0315 Oslo
NORWAY

Workshop on Manuscriptology & Palaeograophy 2009

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:51:09 +0000

Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology in collaboration with National Mission for Manuscript, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi organizing a National Workshop on Manuscriptology and Palaeography from 20th December 2009 to 10th January 2010.

An Inaugural Function is organized on 20th December 2009 under the aegis of Prof. Vachaspati Upadahyaya, Vice-Chancellor, Lal Bahadur Shastri Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi . On this occasion Prof. Radha Vallabh Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi , will deliver key note address from the Chair of Chief Guest. Mrs. Aditi Mehta, Joint Secretary, IGNCA will also be present. More than 35 participants are coming from all over India to participate in it.

The salient features of this workshop is participants will be benefited from the deliberations and lectures of the Faculties viz. Prof. G. C. Tripathi, Prof. Satkari Mukhopadhyaya, Dr. K. K. Chakrtaborty, Prof. S. P. Narang, Dr. J. B. Shah, Prof. Shri Prakash Pandey, Dr. V. S. Shukla, Dr. Balaji Ganorkar, Dr. A. K. Singh, Dr. Preetiben Pancholi, Dr. Uttam Singh etc. The Prakrit Manuscripts will be focused in this workshop. The method of conservation and preservation, transliteration, collation, preparation of critical edition and editing as well as cataloguing of the manuscripts etc will be taught here for the 21 days. The participants of this workshop are mostly highly educated young persons holding good academic background on this subject. This is the first attempt in which the Manuscripts of Prakrit Language will be taken for the theme.

The Valedictory Function is organized on 10th January 2010 when Noted Indologist Prof. Gayacharan Tripathi, Ex-Head, Kala Kosha, IGNCA will deliver his valedictory address to the participants.

For further information contact:
Dr Balaji Ganorkar
Director B. L. Institute of Indology
Tele Fax : 91-11-27202065/27206630 EPBX
http://www.blinstitute.org Email: balaji@blinstitute.org

Information Courtesy: Mahavir Sanglikar

Second Book in Learn Jainism to be Released

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:42:15 +0000

Jain Tales will be launched in January 2010. The second book in the Learn Jainism Series, it will be used to support the teaching of Jainism in Primary Schools. The book has stories from the Jain tradition to teach children the tenants of Jainism. The book, like the first – Discover Jainism – is authored by Colin Hynson.

The first book in the series has been a success and has sold in many countries in the world. This second book will provide further resources for teachers that want to teach Jainism.

Another First for the Institute

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:18:19 +0000

Report on Foundation in Jain Studies Course: Sep – Dec 2009

Oshwal Association of UK ~ Oshwal Centre ~ Potters Bar

After being recognised as an INSTITUTE by the Companies House and registered as the Institute of Jainology Limited, the Directors decided that courses in Jainism should be offered not only through the Birkbeck University of London, but also through the Jain organisations in the UK. This followed the FIRST in which Jainism courses were run last year in the Far East territories.

Oshwal Association had requested for the Foundation course to be offered under their auspices and plans were drawn accordingly to start the course on 9^TH September with 10 sessions of 2 hours each to run on Wednesday each week. The course ended on 9^th December 2009 with a revision session and handing over the IOJ Certificates.

53 Registrations were received. Feedback forms from 38 expressed the following opinion ranking various points out 5:

Date 4.29
Time 4.00
Location 3.76
Logical flow 4.39
Contents 4.53
Handouts 4.34
Presentation content 4.47
Style of presentation 4.63

Overall Average rating 4.30 out of 5

The new design IOJ Certificates, with golden wafer and company seal were handed out by the Executive Committee members of OAUK.

In response to new courses being offered, most of the attendees indicated that they would be interested. On the same course being offered again, most were willing to recommend it to their friends and family.

Some suggestions were received in the feedback:

Design multiple choice questionnaire for each session
Provide a glossary of Indian language words
Give more examples/recite more stories
Start/end with prayers
Longer sessions/longer course

PHOTO GALLERY

Course Instructor Dr Harshad Sanghrajka

A Section of the Class

Rest of the Class

President, OAUK, Shree Ashok Shah Awarding a Certificate

Foundation Jainism Course for the Autumn 2009

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:18:32 +0000

The Institute has been offering the courses in Jainism in the UK through Birkbeck College, London University for several years and under its own aegis to interest community members on an individual basis.

Last year, several requests were received from Jain Sanghs to conduct the ‘Foundation Course on Jainism’ in their countries. Subsequently courses were held in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Following the very positive feedback received from the relevant Sanghs from these countries, the Directors of the Institute had decided to offer these courses to the Jain Community in the UK through the various local Jain organisations and accordingly several organisations were advised of the availability of the course. (For more information on the courses in the Far East please CLICK here)

We are pleased to announce that the Oshawal Association of the UK has requested that the Foundation Course be conducted under their aegis at Oshwal Centre. Other organisations have also shown considerable interest in holding these courses.

The course at Oshwal Centre will start on Wednesday 9th September 2009. There will be 10 sessions of 2 hours each with the final session on 11th November 2009.

Course fee at Birkbeck College was £155, however, the cost of attendance at Oshwal Centre will be only £50. The course is open to all.

QCDA Consultation on RE for new National Curriculum

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:50:07 +0000

QCDA (Qualification & Curriculum Development Authority) is managing a major consultation on four issues, two of which directly affect Religious Education. As part of this consultation, QCDA intends to hold focus groups for members of faith or belief communities, and members of SACREs, in different parts of the country:
    1. 1st June in London
    2. 22nd June in Newcastle
    3. 13th July in Birmingham

The letter of invitation below are for one of these three events, and is intended for members of faith or belief communities, and members of SACREs, only. Other focus group events are being held for other interest groups.

QCDA is keen that the voices of faith/belief communities to be heard clearly as part of the consultation and thus these consultations.

Also as part of National consultation, QCDA would like to hear about what you think of the government’s curriculum proposals on a new primary curriculum, changes to personal, social, health and economic education, updated level descriptions and updated religious education guidance. Visit: www.qca.org.uk/curriculumconsultation .

Letter of Invitation

Dear colleague

Invitation to a consultation focus group for members of faith/belief communities and SACREs, 1 June 2009, London (22nd June in Newcastle , 13th July in Birmingham)

You may be aware that the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has announced the start of a statutory public consultation period for a number of developments affecting the curriculum. QCDA has been asked by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to manage the national consultation on its behalf

The consultation will collect public responses to:
·                     The Secretary of State’s proposals for the new primary curriculum, including the three aims, essentials for learning and life, and seven programmes of learning;
·                     Sir Alasdair Macdonald’s recommendations to make Personal, Social and Health Education statutory
·                     new draft level descriptions for national curriculum subjects and RE
·                     new draft non-statutory RE guidance, replacing the RE parts of Circular 1/94

QCDA will be organising a series of focus groups, and would very much like you or your organisation to be represented. With this in mind, could we ask you to reserve 1 June 2009 from 10.30am to 3.00pm at QCDA offices in London (or Newcastle on 22nd June and Birmingham on 3rd July).

The aim of this event will be to offer a structured opportunity to important stakeholders to submit considered, extensive expert opinion, in response to the consultation documents which will be available to you before the meeting starts. Every group and individual will also be able to use the QCDA’s online survey at any time; but the focus group enables a deeper penetration of issues and more extended responses to questions. Focus group input will form part of the report that QCDA will deliver to the department at the end of the consultation. The focus group will be able to choose which of the four issues it wishes to respond to, and may respond to one, some or all of them, according to its preference.

The programme for the focus group meeting, and notes on the location, will be sent to you when we receive your acceptance of the invitation. If you should choose to accept our invitation, please note that QCDA will make claim forms for supply costs and travel expenses available to you on the day. Refreshments and lunch will be available to all.

As part of your preparation for the focus group meeting, please visit www.qcda.org.uk/curriculumconsultation and read the documents on which you wish to comment. If you would like any of these documents, or this letter, in an alternative format please contact Sarah Hogan on hogans@qca.org.uk or 02476 716 707. The focus group meeting will work most effectively if all participants are already familiar with those parts of the consultation on which they wish to comment. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you read these documents carefully in advance of the meeting. This will give you the maximum possible time for commenting and discussing.

For your attendance on the day, if you have any access requirements, including dietary requirements (lunch will be provided), then please let us know when you confirm your place.

Thank you, in advance, for participating in this event. Please could you respond to Sarah Hogan on hogans@qcda.org.uk

Yours sincerely

Mark Chater
Curriculum Adviser, Qualifications & Curriculum Authority