18th Jaina Studies Workshop: Jainism and Science
Victory banner. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Date: 19 March 2016Time: 9:00 AM
Finishes: 19 March 2016
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Brunei GalleryRoom: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
Type of Event: Conference
The Jains have a distinctive attitude to science and knowledge. The Jain approach defines science as encompassing all forms of knowledge, including the physical sciences, the humanities and the spiritual journey.
The Jain concept of science is based on the rational pursuit of knowledge, uncluttered by dogma and seeking to peel away layers of preconception. Jain science aims to challenge views of reality that are false because they are ‘one-sided’. In Jainism, ‘the individual must ultimately find the truth for himself as no priest or scripture is believed to have the answers. These principles are intended to be self-verifying so that the follower discovers truths for himself rather like a research worker in a laboratory’ (Mardia 2002: 4–5).
In the 18th Jaina Studies Workshop: Jainism and Science world renowned intellectuals and people from different professions will take part, exchange their expertise and share experience.
Guests are also encouraged to attend the 16th Annual Jaina Lecture, 'Newly Discovered Jaina Mathematical Manuscripts and their Content' given by Anupam Jain (Government Degree College, Sanwer, Indore) on Friday, 18 March 2016.
Programme
| Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 9.00 | Tea and Coffee | |
First Session: Evidence and Proof in Jaina Science & Philosophy | ||
| 9.15 | Muni Mahendra Kumar (Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, India, Skype) The Enigma of Cosmogony | |
| 9.45 | Marie-Hélène Gorisse (SOAS University of London, Ghent University, Belgium) Scientific Knowledge in Jainism | |
| 10.15 | Ana Bajželj (Polonsky Academy, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Israel) Upakāra in Akalaṅka's Tattvārthavārtika | |
| 10.45 | Tea & Coffee | |
Second Session: Jaina Theories of Time | ||
| 11.15 | Rajmal Jain (Kadi Sarva Vishvavidyalay, Ahmedabad) & Anupam Jain (Government Degree College, Sanwer, Indore) Space and Time: In the Perspectives of Jainism and Science | |
| 11.45 | Samaṇī Unnata Prajñā (SOAS & Jain Viśva Bhāratī Ladnun) Jaina Doctrine of Timelessness | |
| 12.15 | Catherine Morice-Singh (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3) The Treatment of Series in the Gaṇitasārasaṃgraha of Mahāvīrācārya and its Connections to Jaina Cosmology | |
| 12.45 | Group Photo | |
| 13.00 | Lunch: Brunei Gallery Suite | |
Third Session: Jaina Mathematicians | ||
| 14.00 | Ratna Kumar Shah (Pune, India) Jinabhadragaṇi Kṣamāśramaṇa: Computational Wizard of Sixth Century C.E. | |
| 14.30 | Alessandra Petrocchi (University of Cambridge, UK) Siṃhatilakasūri’s Mathematical Commentary (13th c. CE) on the Gaṇitatilaka | |
| 15.00 | Johannes Bronkhorst (University of Lausanne, Switzerland) Jaina versus Brahmanical Mathematicians | |
| 15.30 | Tea & Coffee | |
Fourth Session: When Science Meets Fiction | ||
| 16.00 | Basile Leclère (Université de Lyon 3, France) Architectural Science in Jain Poetry: Descriptions of Kumārapāla’s Temples | |
| 16.30 | Christine Chojnacki (University Lyon 3, France) When Science Meets Fiction: On Technical Passages in Jain Medieval Novels | |
| 17.00 | Peter Flügel (SOAS) Jainism and Science: History and Ontology of the 'Soul' | |
| Brief Break | ||
Roundtable | ||
| 17.45 | Addressing the question:"Is Jaina philosophy compatible with the modern sciences?" In the Chair: Shamil Chandaria (London) Featuring:Johannes Bronkhorst (University of Lausanne), Kalyan Gangwal (Pune), Anupam Jain (Government Degree College, Sanwer, Indore), Laxmi Chandra Jain (Government Engineering College, Jabalpur), Mukul Shah (London), Ratnakumar Shah (Pune), Sanjeev Sogani (Gyan Sagar Science Foundation, New Delhi), Samani Unnata Pragya (SOAS & Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun), And others (to be confirmed) | |
| 18.00 | Final Remarks | |
Book of Abstracts
Registration
Free and open to all. We encourage guests to register as it helps us gauge numbers for lunch: Online Registration
Annual Jaina Lecture
Newly Discovered Jaina Mathematical Manuscripts and their Content with Anupam Jain (Government Degree College, Sanwer, Indore) on Friday, 18 March 2016. Further details.
Contact email: centres[at]soas.ac.uk
Contact Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4892
Sponsor: GyanSagar Foundation, JivDaya Foundation and Anil and Lata Chandaria