Drs. Mehta and Kuan Secure Templeton Religion Trust Grant for Project on Forgiveness
CST is proud to announce the launch of a new interreligious initiative, “Forgiveness as a Path to Covenantal Pluralism,” funded by a generous grant from the Templeton Religion Trust. This project will explore forgiveness not just as an individual act, but as a transformative theological, ethical, and social practice with the potential to build peace and belonging in diverse societies.
“This grant is a powerful affirmation of CST’s leadership in interreligious theological education,” said Dr. Mehta. “It highlights our commitment to cultivating forgiveness as a vital virtue for dialogue, peacebuilding, and pluralism, which are essential for navigating the complexities of our world today.”
The project will be led by Dr. Venu Mehta, Bhagwan Chandraprabha Endowed Assistant Professor in Jain Studies and Assistant Professor of Comparative Spiritualities, and Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, Co-President of CST and Professor of Hebrew Bible.
The new initiative builds on several years of foundational work, including an annual symposium on forgiveness in Jain and Christian traditions since 2021, and the course Forgiveness in Christianity and Jainism: Theology, Philosophy, and Practices, co-taught by Drs. Mehta and Kuan. The new project looks to expand on these prior efforts and seeks to deepen the study of forgiveness through a multi-faceted approach.
A key component of the project is the convening of scholars from various traditions to engage in a comparative study of forgiveness. This research will culminate in a major interfaith conference, bringing together leading voices to explore how forgiveness can serve as a pathway for social healing and pluralism. The project will also produce an edited scholarly volume, aiming to advance the academic discourse on forgiveness in Jain, Christian, and interreligious contexts.
The project also includes a strong emphasis on practical application, with plans to develop a new curriculum, integrating forgiveness studies more deeply into CST’s programs. This will equip students to engage forgiveness in their future roles in ministry, scholarship, and interfaith leadership.