Jainism in the Contemporary World: Ethics, Community, and the Living Tradition

Jainism is not an archaeological artifact — it is a living tradition practiced by millions, with active debates about how ancient ascetic ideals apply to contemporary conditions. How do Jain communities navigate modernity? How is ahimsa applied to questions of digital technology, modern medicine, or global supply chains? What does Jain thought contribute to broader ethical conversations about ecology and animal welfare? By the end of this course you will be able to describe the contemporary social and demographic landscape of Jain communities, analyze how Jain ethics is applied to contemporary issues of diet, environment, and business practice, examine tensions within Jain communities about the adaptation of traditional practice, and assess Jain philosophy's contributions to wider ethical discourse. What you will learn: - The contemporary Jain community: geographic distribution, diaspora communities in the UK, US, and East Africa, and community institutional structures - How contemporary Jain laypeople apply ahimsa in food choices — veganism, filtered water, avoiding root vegetables — and the reasoning behind these practices - Jain ethics and ecology: how scholars and practitioners have drawn on anekantavada and ahimsa in environmental ethics discussions - Business and non-attachment: why Jains have historically concentrated in trade and finance, and how non-attachment (aparigraha) is interpreted in that context - Internal community debates: generational change, diaspora adaptation, and the challenge of transmitting ascetic ideals in secular societies - Jain influence on Gandhi and the non-violence movement — and the debates about how faithfully Gandhi's ahimsa reflected Jain teaching - Contemporary Jain scholars and public intellectuals who are contributing to broader academic and civic conversations - A case study framework for analyzing how a specific Jain community navigates a specific contemporary ethical challenge The course is built around case studies and analytical readings, with reflection prompts that invite you to examine the tensions between traditional teaching and contemporary application. A final synthesis exercise guides you through a structured analysis of a contemporary issue using Jain ethical reasoning. This course is informational and scholarly in nature. This course is designed for learners who have some background in Jainism or Indian religious traditions and want to engage with contemporary dimensions. It is also suitable for students of ethics, social sciences, or anyone interested in non-Western ethical frameworks in global conversation. Suitable for those new to contemporary Jain studies.