First knowledge of the world, then compassion for it.
Timeless Wisdom for Today's Urgent Problems
Claremont School of Theology (CST) offers a first of its kind, remotely available Master of Arts in Engaged Jain Studies in partnership with Arihanta Institute (DBA Arihanta Academy). Bringing you leading scholars from around the world, this flexible remote program is designed to teach you how to apply timeless Jain wisdom in your busy everyday life whether you are Jain or not.
As a human society, we face unprecedented environmental and social challenges. Most Jains and non-Jains interested in learning about the Jain tradition therefore wish to understand how they can incorporate the tradition’s philosophical and moral insights in daily personal, professional, social, and familial life for the betterment of society and the planet. What makes our master’s degree remarkably one of a kind is just that: its emphasis on integrating what students learn from rigorous Jain scholarship on philosophy, ethics, history, and anthropology into their daily lives.
Yoga Dharma Non-Violence Non-Possession
Our MA’s interreligious course offerings augment these integrations with further critical and much sought-after insights from yoga, dharma traditions, and other religious philosophies while also providing elective courses that consider applications of fundamental Jain principles such as non-violence (ahimsa), non-possession (aparigraha), and openness to dialogue with other religious traditions (anekantavada) in light of allied fields such as animal studies, environmental studies, and business ethics.
Ahimsa is the paramount virtue in the Jain tradition that espouses non-violence in thought, word, and deed toward all forms of life including animals and the environment. Aparigraha, or non-possession, requires that we live a simple, non-consumptive life amidst the sensory trappings of contemporary consumer society and requires us to limit our material possessions to reduce our environmental impact. Anekantavada requires that we maintain an openness to learning about and appreciating other religious and philosophical viewpoints in addition to our own to create a more open-minded and peaceful society. To help integrate these principles from their coursework, students are encouraged to engage with their local communities, non-profit organizations, or other institutions to ensure engaged learning and application of their learning in service to the world.
Who would be interested in such a degree?
Anyone who wants to understand how to apply Jain philosophy and principles in daily life at the highest level, including, but not limited to:
- Young adult professionals and householders, both Jain and non-Jain
- Non-Jains who are aligned with Jain values and want to enrich their personal, spiritual, social, and professional lives (e.g. vegans, animal advocates, and environmentalists)
- Young adults and those in retirement who want to enhance their spiritual lives
- Students of any age interested in a rich philosophy of non-violence, non-possession, and inter-religious/inter-philosophical wisdom
- Students of any age who understand environmental and animal rights action as a ministry or spiritual imperative
What does this degree offer its recipients?
Our MA emphasizes application of Jain principles with expert faculty who have been using an “engaged Jainism” pedagogical technique at the university level for years. This approach brings Jain wisdom down to earth, making it relevant for the many challenges we face as a human society.
In addition to their own personal and spiritual development, graduates will learn to enrich their professional lives with Jain principles and ethics and to develop their own entrepreneurial endeavors. Others seeking further graduate studies will be prepared for pursuing a PhD in Jain Studies, Yoga Studies, Dharma Studies, South Asian Studies, and other related fields of scholarly inquiry.
Christopher Jain Miller, PhD
Visiting Professor, Engaged Jain Studies
Arihanta Institute’s Vice President of Academic Affairs
Available Modalities:
This degree is designed to be completed in the Distance Education modality with no or minimal in-person time. Students studying under an F-1 visa or with VA benefits should be aware of the in-person requirements of their status and choose courses accordingly. See the Program Delivery and Learning Modalities page for more details.
Curriculum:
Our innovative collaboration gives students access to study with expert faculty at both Arihanta Institute and Claremont School of Theology (CST), from anywhere in the world.
- Veganism, Animals, and Ecology
- Yoga Studies
- South Asian Languages
| Program Requirements | Semester Offered | Semester Taken/Planned |
| Core Courses | 12 credits | |
| TCG 3020 Intercultural Studies or TIR 3001 Interreligious Dialogue and Leadership | Spring | |
| TDT 3045 Studies in Jain Karma and Ethics | Fall | |
| TES 3074 Learning with the Marginalized | Fall | |
| TDT 3051 Theories and Praxis of Non-Violence and Jainism | ||
| Track Courses | 12 credits | |
| TDT 3011 Introduction to Jainism: Non-Violence as a Way of Life | Fall | |
| TDT 3036 Engaged Jainism and Animal Advocacy | Fall | |
| TDT 3037 Social Justice and Modern Yoga | Fall | |
| TAI 3041 Jain Yoga | Fall | |
| Electives or Concentration Courses | 12 credits | |
| Summative Courses (take 1) | 1–3 credits | |
| TIS 3063 Masters’ Summative Exercise (Thesis) | Fall | |
| TMC 3100 MA Colloquium (Non-Thesis) | Spring | |
| TOTAL | 37–39 credits |
Coursework
The student should choose a concentration early in the program and take two courses within that concentration. The student declares their concentration by filling out the form here. Available concentrations are:
South Asian Languages
- TDT 3034 Languages I: Classical Sanskrit
- TDT 3035 Languages II: Classical Sanskrit
- TDT 3038 Languages III: Classical Sanskrit
- TDT 3047 Language III: Translation and Reading of Jain Sanskrit Texts
- TDT 3046 Languages I: Modern Gujarati
- TDT 3052 Languages II: Modern Gujarati
Veganism, Animals, and Ecology
- TDT 3040 Jain Veganism in the History of Global Veganism
- TDT 3043 Food Politics in South Asia and Beyond
- TAI 3049 Veganism, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice
- TDT 3030 Hope in the Midst of Environmental Crisis: Insights from the Jains and World Religious Leaders
Yoga Studies
- TDT 3044 Foundations of Jain Yoga Studies
- TAI 3050 Hatha Yoga and Jain Yoga
- TDT 4033 Jain Philosophy
Electives
The student may choose to take additional courses in the concentration, pick up an additional concentration, or fill the remaining courses with free electives. The student may also choose to take four free electives instead of fulfilling any concentration.
Summative Courses
The student will choose between the Thesis and Non-Thesis options. Students planning to apply for PhD programs should strongly consider the Thesis option. Further details about the thesis and its requirements and deadlines can be found in the catalog. The Non-Thesis option will include a portfolio of major assignments from the student’s coursework as well as short reflective papers on the student’s learning and experience in their program.
Thesis students take TIS 3063 Master’s Summative Exercise in the final Fall semester before graduation.
Non-Thesis students take TMC 3100 MA Colloquium in the final Spring semester before graduation.
Want to learn more?
Reach out to the Admissions Counselor for this program, Karen Gonzalez, by emailing kgonzalez@cst.edu or by using the below link to submit an inquiry form.
