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Climate Change & Environment

Are you concerned with climate change, land and water pollution, and the overall destruction of our planet earth? Do you often feel powerless, overwhelmed, and yet in search of a way to change our environmental and planetary future? The Jain tradition has a wealth of philosophical and ethical principles to help us think through these difficult and yet vital questions for the betterment of our environment and planet. For example, the vow of limited possession (aparigraha) challenges the human compulsion to mindlessly consume, while the supporting vow of limiting one’s unnecessary movement and excess travel (dig-vrata) challenges us to re-think our unsustainable travel habits and the harm they cause to the environment. Here at Arihanta Institute, our courses in Climate Change and Environment put these and many other critical Jain principles into conversation with academic fields including climate science, environmental studies, and pollution studies. We do this in order to shape informed, empowered, and proactive students who are ready to take action to make a positive impact in light of the environmental challenges before us. As you already know, we are currently facing unprecedented ecological challenges due to the pollution of our shared air, water, and land. Climate change has already begun to unleash catastrophic weather events, human displacement, drought, flooding, heat waves, wildfires, ocean acidification, and other unfortunate events caused by fossil fuels, unsustainable energy sources, and unnecessary land use for animal agriculture. Recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings have given us grave warnings over the past several years, imploring humanity to act immediately at all levels of society to avoid the worst of climate change’s damage. Meanwhile, our oceans are polluted with the plastic remnants of unchecked consumer culture, our land and ground water are increasingly poisoned with pesticides, chemicals, and massive amounts of runoff from animal agriculture, our lands are deforested, and our air is full of hazardous air pollutants. Because of this, our human bodies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to disease and dysfunction. As we also know, however, we can still avoid the worst of climate change and future environmental degradation. The Jain tradition, which views the world as an ecologically interconnected web of life, has much to offer us in this regard. At Arihanta Institute, you will learn how to embody, act upon, and disseminate critical Jain principles in light of science for the betterment of our shared planetary future.

Courses in Climate Change & Environment

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1008 | Jain Responses to Climate Change

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1008 | Jain Responses to Climate Change

Arihanta Institute is offering this course in collaboration with Museum Rietberg, coinciding with their Exhibition “Being Jain: Art and Culture of an Indian Religion” in Zurich, Switzerland.Climate change is arguably the biggest collective challenge human society has ever encountered. But there is hope. Among many of the innovative solutions that have and continue to be proposed, the Jain tradition encourages an environmentally sustainable lifestyle, which, if incorporated into our daily lives worldwide, could have a significant impact in reducing the worst of the climate disaster that is yet to come. Learn the Jain way of life in conversation with some of climate change’s most pressing issues. Leave transformed and empowered to reduce your climate footprint.Class 1Jainism and Ecology: Recognizing the Interconnected Web of LifeLearn how the Jain tradition views the world as an interconnected web of life in which nothing wants to experience pain. Understand how the Jain principle of ahiṃsā, or non-violence, arises from this worldview and some of the fundamental ways you can reduce your carbon footprint by following the Jain way of life and in accordance with climate science.Class 2Jain Approaches to Food: Climate Change & Animal AgricultureThe IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) recently advised that in light of the effects of animal agriculture on the climate, the entire planet must be “veganised.” Learn, in light of climate science, why animal agriculture is one of the most significant contributors to climate change and environmental degradation. Also study Jain approaches to an ethical and environmentally friendly diet that call into question our unnecessary reliance on animals for food.Class 3Jain Views on Consumption and Waste: A Changing Climate requires Changing HabitsHumans consume food, electronics, fuel and other commodities at rates far beyond what our planet can sustain in the long run and which amount to significant amounts of environmental degradation. Discover what the acceptable limits of consumption are, and also consider Jain ethical approaches to the human behavior of consumption. Be inspired to reconsider your own consumptive habits.Class 4Jain Professional Ethics: Making a Climate-Friendly LivingWe all need to make a living, but what would it mean to make a “climate-friendly” living? Learn Jain ethical approaches to career and professional life, and understand the important connections between the work that you do and its potential effects on the climate. Be inspired to make a righteous living that is good for both you and our climate future.
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Self-paced
Self-paced
Self-paced

1015 | Debunking the Myth of Sustainable and Humane Animal Agriculture

$25.00 USD
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1015 | Debunking the Myth of Sustainable and Humane Animal Agriculture

In this course, we will focus on the “greenwashing” and “humanewashing” by animal agriculture. “Greenwashing” is based on the different ways that animal agriculture pretends it is sustainable when it is not; “humanewashing” refers to the different ways that animal agriculture pretends it treats animals well, when it does not. In reality, animal agriculture is one of the single largest drivers of climate change and one of the most cruel industries imaginable; however, much like the tobacco industry and the fossil fuel industries before it, animal agriculture has responded to this reality not by enacting any substantive changes, but by relying on “tricks” of communication, including public relations, media relations, marketing, and even attempts to influence scholarship on the topic to confuse the public and hide their destructive practices. In this course, we will debunk these rhetorical tricks and expose the reality of the harms animal agriculture is causing to both animals and our planet. This course should be of benefit to any activist, policy maker, or person concerned about climate change, environmental destruction, or animal suffering. Course Details6 hours of recorded video contentWeekly readings for self-studyAccess to class materials begins Monday, August 5, 20244 scheduled Live Q&A sessions with Professor Stanescu on August 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 9AM to 10AM Pacific + Bonus Session Sept. 6!
$25.00 USD

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Self-paced

1000 | Foundations of Jain Studies

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1000 | Foundations of Jain Studies

This course offers an introduction to Jain Studies. Begin with an exploration of key Jain teachings and practices, focusing on the principles of non-harming (ahiṃsā) and non-possession (aparigraha), both central to the tradition. Delve, then, into the Three Jewels of Jainism—right worldview, right knowledge, and right conduct—and examine how these principles shape the foundation of the Jain tradition. Next, investigate the profound connection between Jainism and animal advocacy, exploring the teachings of Mahavira on animals as well as contemporary Jain practices of animal care. Afterwards, explore the Jain perspective on the human body, including the importance of health, the role of karmas in shaping one’s embodiment, and the fine line between bodily renunciation and the need to have good health. Finally, observe how Jainism’s commitment to compassion and social justice is expressed through transformative social initiatives, focusing on the work of Acharya Chandanaji and the global reach of her charitable organization, Veerayatan.  This is designed as a one-week course that will take approximately 3 hours to complete, and includes a series of 14 lectures with accompanying readings and a final quiz to guide you through essential foundations in Jain Studies. Learning Objectives:Understand the core principles of Jainism, including the practices of non-harming (ahiṃsā) and non-possession (aparigraha)Analyze the Three Jewels of Jainism (right worldview, right knowledge, and right conduct)Evaluate the relationship between Jainism and animal advocacyLearn the Jain perspective on the human body and its role in spiritual practiceAssess the role of compassion and social justice in Jainism
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