Students from around the world experience the Jain way of life in Rajasthan

Participants in the Jain Summer Program pose for a group photograph at Jain Vishwa Bharati in Ladnun, Rajasthan, on July 29. Photo by Aman Dhage/The American Bazaar

Nestled amid the arid plains of Rajasthan, about 230 miles west of Delhi, Ladnun is the kind of town many travelers might pass without a second glance. Its narrow streets, whitewashed temples, and unhurried pace stand in stark contrast to India’s bustling metropolitan centers.This summer, however, the quiet town has become an unlikely destination for seekers of one of the world’s oldest philosophies.For more than three centuries, Ladnun has been the spiritual home of the Terapanth order of Jainism, a reformist sect known for its disciplined monastic tradition and emphasis on nonviolence, self-restraint, and spiritual inquiry. Last month, those traditions welcomed an unusual group of visitors: nearly three dozen students, scholars, and faculty members from eight countries who are spending three weeks not merely studying Jainism, but living it.The immersive summer program, which began July 20 and concludes on Friday, is the result of a collaboration among Florida International University, California State University Long Beach, the Jain Education and Research Foundation (JERF), Jain Visva Bharati Institute, and southern California philanthropist Dr. Jasvant Modi, whose support made the initiative possible.Rather than treating Jainism as an academic subject confined to classrooms and textbooks, the organizers designed a program that allows participants to experience the philosophy through daily practice. Each morning began with meditation. Students attended lectures on Jain philosophy, Prakrit — the ancient language of many Jain scriptures — and the foundational principles of “Ahimsa” (nonviolence), “Anekantavada” (the multiplicity of viewpoints), and “Aparigraha” (non-attachment to possessions). They also interacted with monks and nuns, observed their disciplined routines, and experienced a lifestyle centered on simplicity, compassion, and mindfulness.“It has been a very eventful week, and it has been a tremendous experience,” said Anne Vallely, a professor at the University of Ottawa and one of the foremost scholars of Jainism in the Western world.Describing the demanding schedule, she added, “We have our lessons from 9:00 in the morning, and they go really into 10 o’clock, 11:00 at night.”The program reflects months of planning by scholars in India and the United States.Florida International University, home to the first endowed chairs in Jain Studies in the United States, worked closely with California State University Long Beach, to develop the curriculum. The Jain Education and Research Foundation helped coordinate the academic and logistical aspects of the initiative, while Jain Visva Bharati opened its sprawling campus and monastic community to the international participants.At the heart of the effort is a broader mission: introducing Jain philosophy to a global audience at a time when its central teachings of nonviolence, environmental sustainability, restraint, and respect for diverse perspectives have taken on renewed relevance.Much of that vision has been championed by physician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. Jasvant Modi, whose years of support for Jain education and higher learning have helped establish academic programs across the United States. Modi, who has contributed tens of millions of dollars to educational and religious causes in the United States, India, and globally, provided the principal financial support for this year’s summer school.“I was born in India in the Jain faith, and those principles of Ahimsa, compassion, and respect for all living beings have guided my entire life as a physician,” the La Cañada, California,-based physician entrepreneur told The American Bazaar. “⁠After my medical career, I realized philanthropy allows me to heal on a larger scale, not just one patient at a time. I contribute to Jain education because I believe America’s young students must be exposed to this ancient wisdom of tolerance, non-possessiveness, and plurality, which is so undervalued today.”The program also coincided with another milestone.This year marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Terapanth order, giving participants an opportunity to witness commemorative events while learning about one of Jainism’s most influential traditions. Established in the 18th century by Acharya Bhikshu, the Terapanth order is distinguished by its centralized leadership and disciplined monastic structure. Its monks and nuns travel extensively to spread Jain teachings rather than remaining in permanent monasteries.Throughout the three weeks, students discovered that learning extended far beyond formal lectures.Meals became lessons in mindful eating. Silence became a form of reflection. Conversations with monks and nuns often continued long after scheduled sessions ended. Participants learned not only the philosophical foundations of Jainism but also how those principles shape everyday decisions, from food and consumption to conflict resolution and environmental responsibility.For many students, the immersive setting transformed abstract ideas into lived experience.“I’m surrounded by scholars and I’ve gotten to meet with sadhvis and sadhus, and it’s just been lovely,” said Carol Rodriguez, one of the participants, who holds a Ph.D. in Jain Studies from the University of Florida.The Cuban-born scholar earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Jain Studies from Florida International University in Miami, where she translated portions of the Lilavatisara, a 13th-century work by Jain monk Jinaratnasuri.The international composition of the group further enriched the discussions. Participants brought diverse academic backgrounds and cultural perspectives, creating conversations that reflected Jainism’s emphasis on dialogue and multiple viewpoints rather than absolute certainty.Organizers hope the program will serve as a model for future international collaborations in religious studies, philosophy, sustainability, and peace education.Unlike traditional study abroad programs, the Ladnun initiative invites participants to become temporary members of a living spiritual community, where learning occurs as much through observation and daily practice as through formal instruction.

As the summer school concludes on July 7, participants will return to universities and communities around the world carrying more than lecture notes and academic credits. They will leave with firsthand experience of a philosophy that has quietly endured for millennia and memories of a small Rajasthan town where, for three weeks, Jainism was not simply studied, but lived.(Aman Dhage contributed to the report.)(By arrangement with The American Bazaar) Go to Source