Jain Education and Research Foundation
Venue: | Jain Center of South Florida, Weston |
Date and Time: | September 18, 2011. 11:15 am to 12:30 pm. EST |
Program organized by: | JERF |
Web site: |
With a fellowship funded by the Bhagwan Mahavir Professorship, the Bhagwan Mahavir Fellows spent the summer of 2011 in India studying aspects of Jainism there. The fellows shared their experience with the local Jain community whose generous donations made these activities possible.
The program included:
welcoming the Florida International University (FIU) Professor and students who visited India this summer;
welcoming the student from Jain Vishva Bharati University (JVBU), Ladnun to FIU;
announcement of the Latika and Rajiv Jain Graduate Fellowship;
information about Preksha Meditation Training in Miami and other future events.
It was a warm sunny day and the program started on time with the melodious recitation of Namokara Mantra by Samani Chaitanya Pragya ji and Samani Unnat Pragya ji.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji and Samani Unnat Pragyaji
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Video: Samani Chaitanya Pragya ji and Samani Unnat Pragya ji
This was followed by a welcoming and introductory speech by Sapan Bafna President, JERF. He greeted the Professors, students and other esteemed guests. He gave a brief account of steadily increasing number of students and courses in Jainism offered at FIU. In the past, there have been more than 250 students who joined courses infused with Jainism, facilitated by renowned scholar Dr. Nathan Katz and Samaniji at FIU. He also informed the audience about the five courses being offered current semester. This semester alone 135 students have already registered. He thanked the Jain Center and admired the participation of community members, donors and volunteers for all their support. He motivated the members to continue with active participation, donations and efforts to further the cause.
Mr. Bafna concluded with the announcement that all these courses along with the course on Preksha Meditation and Yoga are also open for the Jain community in Miami.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mr. Sapan Bafna giving his introductory speech
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Video:Mr. Sapan Bafna
On behalf of the Jain Community and JERF, Prof. Neptune Srimal, welcomed the members from FIU. Incidentally, Prof. Srimal is from the Earth Science Department of FIU. He introduced Prof. Katz as one of the most renowned religious studies scholar who specializes in Judaic studies, Hindu and Buddhist scriptures and first ever Bhagvan Mahavir Professorship. He has been working very hard to advance the cause of Jaina studies. Mrs. Jeevanprabha Mehta (EC Secretary JERF) was invited to present Prof. Katz with the customary gift.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Prof. Neptune Srimal taking the program further
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Video: Prof. Neptune Srimal, Mrs. Jeevanprabha Mehta, Prof. Nathan Katz
Prof. Katz very generously expressed his gratitude to JERF for the remarkable contribution made by the organization, which encouraged the students for the summer school, to learn about Jainism. He also informed about the other Faculty fellowship and scholarships to encourage students in the area of Jainism.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Prof. Nathan Katz expressing his thoughts
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Videos:Prof. Nathan Katz
This was followed by an introduction of Mr. Robert Callahan, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, FIU by the convener of the program. Mrs. Kusum Jain, active member of the Jain community presented Mr. Robert with the customary shawl.
Mr. Robert acknowledged Geetika and Sapan Bafna as FIU alumni and that it is always a joy working with them. He further said that it has been enlightenment, more than pleasure, working with the whole team. Along with this he acknowledged Jains worldwide for doing the right thing with a right vision.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mrs. Kusum Jain presenting customary shawl to Mr. Robert Callahan
In this series of welcoming the professors of FIU, Prof. Srimal expressed gratitude to Dr. Erik Larson, Chair Religious Studies for his presence and later introduced him. Mr. Gajendra Surana (Treasurer JERF) took the opportunity to greet Dr. Larson with the shawl.
Dr. Larson highlighted the impact of Samaniji’s presence on the campus for past several years. He shared the student’s positive feedback and reactions to the courses in Jainism and how it manifested in looking at the world in a new way. He appreciated all the efforts made by the Jain community and addressed Prof. Katz for his contribution in developing this.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mr. Gajendra Surana welcoming Dr. Erik Larson
Dr. Whitney Bauman, Assistant Professor at the Department of Religious Studies at FIU and first Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Faculty Fellow was introduced by Prof. Srimal as a young man with more than thirty years of teaching ahead. Dr. Bauman bravely visited India this summer to understand, comprehend and relate Jainism in addition to some of his current research projects. Mrs. Deepika Dalal, South East Regional Vice-President of JAINA, honored Dr. Bauman with shawl.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mrs. Deepika Dalal welcoming Dr. Whitney Bauman
Dr. Whitney Bauman, conveyed his reverence to Acharya Kanaknandanji and Mahendra Muni for sharing their wisdom with him on various aspects of Jaina philosophy. He acknowledged Samani Charitra Pragyaji, Vice Chancellor JVBU, Ladnun and Prof. N. L. Kachhara from Udiapur, for the warm hospitality and contributing to his understanding. Dr. Bauman put together a stimulating presentation on his India experiences and shared his thoughts on the occasion.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Dr. Whitney Bauman during his presentation
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Video: Dr. Whitney Bauman sharing his India experiences and plans
This was followed by a grand welcome of the four students who went to Jani Vishva Bharati University (JVBU), Ladnun (located in the Thar Desert) in the peak summers to expand on their Jaina studies and experience living Jainism. Dr. Mayur Maniar and Dr. Satish Shah presented the students with a book titled An Introduction to Jainismby Prof. Jeffery Long. These students were:
Mr. Stephan Vishal Mahavir, Senior (i.e., final year student), Department of Psychology
Mr. Tal Berman, Department of Environmental Studies
Ms. Gabriela Largaespada, Department of History
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
FIU Students - Mr. Stephan Vishal Mahavir, Mr. Tal Berman, Ms. Gabriela Largaespada with Dr. Mayur Maniar
Students did a wonderful positive power point presentation of their experiences in Ladnun. They highlighted upon the course content, different field trips, meeting some families and the extraordinarily beautiful campus of JVBU Ladnun throughout the presentation.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
FIU Students Presentation
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952 |
Video: FIU Students Presentation
Prof. Srimal introduced and extended warm welcome to Shivani and Sanjeev Bothra who arrived from India.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Prof. Neptune Srimal introducing Mr. Sanjeev Bothra & Mrs. Shivani Bothra
He further introduced Shivani, student from JVBU, Ladnun as the first Bhagvaan Mahavir fellow who has joined the Masters Program in Religious Studies at FIU. Shivani took this opportunity and conveyed gratitude towards Samaniji, FIU community and the Jain community here in Miami. Furthermore she appreciated all the support extended to her for a meaningful social, cultural and academic experience ahead.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mrs. Shivani Bothra expressing her gratitude
Mr. Bindesh Shah, (EC Member, JERF) was invited to express few words of gratitude. He encouraged the audience by acknowledging their presence and how it adds to the success of the program. He recognized and was thankful to the FIU administration, Faculty for their dedication and continued support in achieving success in such a short time. He concluded by addressing to the members of JERF for their countless hours of voluntary work in putting together this program and invited everyone to join for aartifollowed by lunch.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mr. Mukund Shah, President, JCSF (Jain Center of South Florida) was invited by Prof. Srimal to articulate his gratitude. Mr. Mukund Shah expressed a vote of thanks by acknowledging the Samanijis, esteemed guests, speakers, and management.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mr. Mukund Shah and the audience
The program started by Samaniji and was finally wrapped up by a short concluding speech by Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji. She elucidated the openness, attentiveness of the students and their keenness on learning religions without of any dogmas. In addition to this, she expressed and admired the support of the faculty and administration of the FIU department with special reference to Dr. Larson (Chair) and Dr. Katz. She also informed about the Preksha Meditation training course, which initiated on September 17, 2011. Thirty students enthusiastically participated in this eighteen-hour certificate course. The enrollment for next course is much higher. This course is divided into three levels: introductory, advanced and intensive.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji with her concluding speech
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
Mumukshu Sheetal bai, Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji and Samani Unnat Pragyaji
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952Post program interaction between department colleagues
More than 200 people who were present at the program joined in for the aartiand the lunch at the Jain Centre of South Florida.
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952Aarti
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952
18.09.2011 ?Reception for the Bhagwan Mahavir Summer Fellows of 2011 of FIU by JERF Report: www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=81952Community lunch after the program
Report as pdf
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