Meet Our MA Students: An Interview with Jay Taksony Hewitt

10/11/2024

Jay Taksony Hewitt, MA - Engaged Jain Studies Graduate Student

Arihanta Institute & Claremont School of Theology (CST)

What inspired you to undertake graduate studies at Arihanta Institute?

My participation in this program is inspired by several goals, so that it seemed obvious, from my perspective, that this was the natural and perhaps overdetermined next step forward for my studies. My areas of disciplinary research are:

Biophilia
Ecoqueer & 3rd Gender Studies
Contemplative Studies
Metasemiotics
Cognitive Justice & Epistemic Decolonization

I use these approaches in the following transdisciplinary or extradisciplinary area studies:

Śramana Dharmic Traditions
Tantric Dharmic Traditions
Semiotic Cosmologies
Animal Advocacy & Plant Studies
Theopoetics / Negative Theology
Liberation Spiritualities
Neuroqueer / Disability Studies

My hope is that, beyond the important basic training in Jainology offered by the program, the curriculum and thesis will particularly advance my understanding of biophilia, Jain semiotics, animal advocacy & plant studies, and the relationships of all these to contemplative practice.

I bring to the program a strong background in methods and theory, as well as a powerful desire to advocate on these matters from multiple perspectives. I am thrilled and excited to work with the Arihanta faculty, but it is also the questions and perspectives our peers bring to conversations in and out of class from which we learn, as well. Recognizing this, I would like to believe that I will contribute positively to the experiences of my peers, even as my personal goals benefit from their knowledge and insight.

How do you see yourself connecting your studies in the classroom with the community(ies), organizations, etc. that you are involved in or which are around you? How do you plan to use what you learn in the world?

My plans are twofold. On the one hand, I hope to pursue academic study and personal religious knowledge, while, on the other, I hope to also in the coming years develop my spiritual direction and contemplative counseling work. I cannot imagine the latter not also including wisdom, insight, and concepts from Jainism.

My academic work has pursued Contemplative Studies through a historical lens, with an emphasis on semiotics and semiotic/linguistic cosmology. Dr. Bohanec and I have already begun to discuss this aspect of my work. I also study the relationship between biophilia and cognitive justice. My work as a meditation instructor and spiritual director is also something I continue to develop, and I expect to gather additional formal credentials and licenses in the coming while. It is important to me to include a deep understanding of and from Jainism in that work.

As a disabled and queer student, I bring unique perspectives and interests to the table, as well, which I believe contribute to the richness and diversity of the classroom, and, in the long term, will support the field of Jain Studies’ expansion and development. Indeed, I believe Jainism offers unique and important perspectives on these matters that may be helpful in shaping the biopolitics of the era to come. I take it as a matter of course that vegan epistemology and biophilic nonviolence are cornerstone principles of the ecological civilization we desperately, urgently need to bring forth in the world.

What is your background in Jain education and Jain tradition?

My background in the dharmic traditions runs deep but is largely focused on the Vajrayana and Trika lineages. During my time at Naropa University, I was fortunate enough to learn about the historical relationships between Buddhism and Jainism in the Śramanic period with Reginald Ray, who emphasized many of the same themes as his teacher Mircea Eliade at [the University of] Chicago.

In my time at CST, I have further sought to increase my knowledge of and relationships with Jains. CST has given me the opportunity to explore Jainism as a primary or secondary concern in several classes, including the studies I have completed under Dr. Mehta and Dr. Schwartz.

I have in the last two years intensified that preliminary study as much as I have been able to in order to grow in my relationship to the Jain community. This is both spiritual and academic for me, as I find myself drawn to Jainism both personally and intellectually. As I have explored, I have discovered that the comparative approach to religions I tend to take lends itself well to the study of Śramana traditions, and that the study of these traditions together, through their views and practices, deepens and widens our understanding not only of those views and practices, but also of a common vision held among the various sects. Jainism, with its particular historical self-awareness and ethical charge, is turning out to be my main guide in this exploration.

Why are you interested in pursuing higher studies in Jain education? Would you pursue a career in engaged education or a similar profession?

Yes, this is my plan. I hope, upon completing this program, to continue to pursue advanced study in my areas and methods with regard to Jainism, perhaps, again, in a comparative vein, but certainly with an emphasis on spiritual formation, praxis, and contemplative studies.

Jay Taksony Hewitt is a first-year MA-Engaged Jain Studies graduate student.

We are truly grateful to welcome students like Jay, Diana, and Gopal to the MA-Engaged Jain Studies program. Read their stories in previous articles of the “Meet Our MA Students” series.

If you are interested in applying or just want to learn more, register to attend our next MA Info Session on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 9 a.m. PDT.

You can also check out our webpage or email study@arihantainstitute.org for more information.