Dear Friends,

Jai Jinendra and Greetings from the Arihanta Institute Team.

I am delighted to announce the launch of our Vegan Studies Initiative at Arihanta Institute (VSI@AI). The vegan lifestyle is an expression of compassion and non-violence and thus holds a special significance for Jains. It is compassion in action where our values and choices converge. At Arihanta Institute, we plan to study veganism through the academic lens focused on engaged Jainism, our institute’s fundamental position on Jain studies.

In launching VSI@AI our goal is straightforward: we seek to provide high-quality, unbiased learning materials and methods. We achieve this by collaborating with esteemed vegan thought leaders, scholars, and researchers, ensuring our learners receive the most credible, up-to-date information. In line with Arihanta Institute’s commitment, our vision is to empower our students with knowledge to help shape their own lives through education. Experience shows that properly framed and fact-based teachings bring about long-lasting positive changes.

VSI@AI comprises short courses for non-degree learners, MA degree studies with Veganism Concentration in partnership with the Claremont School of Theology, a webinar series, a conference, and articles, blog posts, podcasts, and much more. We are pleased that noted scholars and the leaders in this field will work with us to share their research and scholarship, through the leadership of Arihanta Institute's Professor Jonathan Dickstein.

Irrespective of nomenclature, this lifestyle, driven by compassion towards animals, including farmed animals, has existed for millennia. With regard to the human use of cows for their milk and otherwise, we hear comments such as: "We have always consumed milk products, so why change now?" To find answers to this and related questions, I invite you to visit our website where you can access multiple related blog posts written by our scholars.

The initiative is now live — we invite you to explore the rich and expanding repertoire of teachings. I assure you it will be an eye-opening learning experience.

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to our VSI@AI portal.

Parveen Jain

Founder & CEO, Arihanta Institute