Gandhi & Jainism: an Inquiry

Catalog description

Taught by GTU. The course offers an introductory exploration of the theology, ethics, practices and ecology of the Jain Dharma tradition. We examine the intuitions and insights that have guided developments within the Jain worldview - in metaphysics, cosmology, bio-ecology and moral philosophy. The ecological significance and impact of Jainism with its own understanding of the law of karma side-by-side with its reverence for all individual life-forms - across the elemental, plant, and animal realms - will be studied closely. Students will become familiar with classical and contemporary Jain texts and teachings, such of Mahavira, and Raichandra - who was one of Gandhi's teachers even as he evolved his own philosophy of Ahimsa or Nonviolence as part of the larger Hindu theology. The course will explore the harmony and tensions between the historical self-understanding of Jain moral philosophy and the multidisciplinary approaches in contemporary social theory, normative, and virtue ethics. The course will utilize images, videos, field visits, and contemplative explorations of the understanding of karma and dharma and the multidimensional applications of ahi?sa (non-injury) along with the other vows or precepts central to Jain virtue ethics. The course is open to MDiv, MA, PhD (with additional work); and seniors at UC Berkeley.