Courses in Social Justice
Self-paced
1007 | Peacebuilding & Interfaith Dialogue in the Jain Tradition
In this course we will explore how we can talk with others from different religious (or non-religious) traditions in a way that fosters friendship and mutual respect. We will discuss the Jain tradition’s many resources that further the goals of peacebuilding in a pluralistic society, and what it means to create social unity despite the diversity of perspectives in various belief systems. Given the history of interfaith conflict and violence in our world, the Jain tradition has much to offer in terms of how understanding the religious (or non-religious) “other” and how dialoguing with those who have fundamentally different beliefs can be a source of friendship, harmony, and strength, rather than conflict and disunity as it so often is.We will also discuss how such interfaith dialogue can be understood not only in social terms, but in the Jain philosophical terms of anekānta-vāda, ahiṃsā, etc. such that interfaith interactions can be a means of our own personal spiritual development—as well as social unity at a time when people seem more polarized than ever. We will also give particular emphasis to how the Jain tradition has employed a shared framework of yoga to dialogue with other dharma traditions, and what this tells us today about the potential for interfaith, intercommunal peacebuilding from the perspective of the Jain tradition.
$99.00 USD
Instructor
Cogen Bohanec, MA, PhDPreview
2019 | Interreligious Approaches to Compassion in Action
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2019 | Interreligious Approaches to Compassion in Action
The Tattvartbhasya by Haribhadra describes Compassion as a feeling of mercy for those who are miserable. Compassion also known as Karuna or Anukampa is the most important principle not only to understand but more importantly to practice in everyday life. Learn how all religions preach compassion, and how the Jain tradition takes its own – a unique approach. Compassion remains a central point in understanding three main principles of Jain tradition Ahimsa (nonviolence), Anekantvad (multiplicity of views), and Aparigrah (nonpossessiveness). Understand the Jain way of practicing compassion and how other religions address the practice of compassion. Also learn the different ways one can be compassionate, as well as the challenges you will face in serving selflessly along with possible ways to overcome them.All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course. Learning Objectives:Understand compassion/Karuna/Anukampa following Jain philosophyLearn compassion teachings by Christian, Islam, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish & Buddhist traditionsFind ways to practice compassion locally in your areaDiscover how to help people around the worldFind out how to be a compassionate giving human being
Available for self-study on Monday, June 30, 2025.$99.00 USD
Instructor
Nitin ShahPreview
2018 | Human Security as Compassion: Jain Perspectives on Global Challenges
Feeling safe is one of our biggest needs. But sometimes it seems like we live in an age of uncertainty and increasingly complex global crises. What then does it take today for human beings to feel and be safe?In this course you will learn how Jain thought and practice can speak to each of the seven areas of human security: Personal Security - Health Security – Food Security –Environmental Security – Economic Security – Political Security – Community Security. Human security is not merely a matter of technology and logistics and a task for states and big organizations. It can also be approached as value-based: helping others to feel and be safe as an act of compassion. Underlying the concept of human security is the desire to understand what each individual human being needs to be able to flourish and live a meaningful life. In the course we will discuss different ways of answering this question, from the United Nations sustainable development goals to the wisdom of the Jain scriptures, and how they can inform each other to address today’s global challenges. All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course.Learning Objectives:Understand concepts connected to human security.Learn about compassionate Jain approaches to today’s global security challenges in both theory and practice.Develop the way you think about security, both your own and that of others.Get inspired for compassionate action that makes a difference in people’s lives.
Available for self-study starting June 2, 2025.$99.00 USD
Instructor
Melanie Barbato, PhDPreview
2015 | Forgiveness as Compassion
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2015 | Forgiveness as Compassion
Forgiveness or ‘Kṣamāpanā’ is arguably the most important virtue and practice, known to be synonymous to and vital for the practice of non-violence, compassion, and peace for individuals and the global community. As one of the most ancient religious traditions, Jainism is not only rich with the philosophical sources on the concept of forgiveness, but the Jain tradition also offers lived ways to practice forgiveness in our daily life. Learn the Jain way of forgiveness in conversation with non-violence, compassion, and peace.All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course.Learning Objectives:Understand the foundational philosophy of forgiveness in the Jain tradition.Learn how the Jain tradition provides rich philosophical resources and practices that encourage us “to forgive” and “seek forgiveness.”Incorporate Jain virtues and practices into your own life and significantly contribute to creating a compassionate, non-violent, and peaceful world.
Available for self-study starting March 3, 2025.$99.00 USD
Instructor
Venu MehtaPreview
2016 | Spiritual Approaches to Cultivating Compassion
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2016 | Spiritual Approaches to Cultivating Compassion
This course explores compassion formation processes that are grounded in Western monotheistic spiritual traditions. These formation processes promote a spiritual path of radical compassion rooted in contemplative encounters with an all-inclusive sacred Source and embodied in compassionate action that extends toward all—one's self, one's neighbor, even one's enemies. This course does not so much study compassion; it explores how to cultivate a compassionate presence in the world through these spiritual traditions. All suggested course readings are provided as links or pdfs throughout the course.Learning Objectives:After taking this course, students will be able to:Understand how to cultivate a connection to a compassionate sacred Source asdescribed in monotheistic spiritual traditions.Understand how to cultivate compassion toward one’s self grounded in western spiritual sensibilities.Understand how to cultivate compassion toward others through western spiritual practices.
Available for self-study starting March 31, 2025.$99.00 USD
Instructor
Frank Rogers, PhDPreview
2020 | Compassionate Food Systems for Planetary Healing
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2020 | Compassionate Food Systems for Planetary Healing
The global food system is the single largest contributor to the ongoing ecological crisis and humanitarian crisis, impacting every one of the six planetary boundary transgressions that the Stockholm Resilience Center identified in 2023. This necessitates a transformation to a compassionate food system that meets the nutritional needs of all human beings while ensuring that these planetary boundary transgressions are mitigated. In this class, we will examine the architectures of compassionate food systems and how they can be implemented as the foundation of a holistic transformation from the climate heating phase to the climate healing phase of our civilization.Learning Objectives:By the end of this course, students will be able to:Understand the Urgency: Articulate the critical need for transforming foodsystems to address ecological crises and social injustices, including theimplications of animal agriculture on planetary boundaries and human health.Define Compassionate Food Systems: Explain the principles of acompassionate food system and its potential to provide nourishing food for allwhile operating within the limits of planetary boundaries.Analyze Implementation Strategies: Assess the political and economictransformations required to implement compassionate food systems effectively.Facilitate Transformation: Identify grassroots initiatives and strategies toovercome resistance and facilitate the transition to a compassionate foodsystem.
Available for self-study on Monday, August 4, 2025.Free
Instructor
Sailesh RaoPreview
2017 | Compassion to Self & Others in Jain Householder Life
Jain teachers have elaborated on sixty variants of the pan-Indian principle of ahiṃsā (non-violence) in their canonical texts. While physical non-violence—especially the avoidance of harm to any sentient being—is widely recognized both within and beyond the Jain tradition, other dimensions of ahiṃsā focus on fostering compassionate treatment toward not only one’s self but also to fellow humans. This course draws from the Śrāvaka Saṃbodha, a handbook on lay practices compiled by Ācārya Tulasī (1914–1997). This text outlines the qualities (guṇas) of lay disciples and provides practical, didactic guidance on religious conduct, encapsulating the ‘Jain way of life.’ Through these teachings, students will explore how responsible householders can contribute to a compassionate and harmonious society by integrating Jain ethical principles into everyday life. Course readings will be made available as links and PDFs throughout the duration of the course.Learning Objectives:Examine the Śrāvaka Saṃbodha, a poetic text written in the vernacular (Hindi) and assess its contemporary relevance to ethical and compassionate living.Understand the multifaceted meanings of compassion within Jain thought and analyze how it transcends conventional notions of kindness and non-violence.Evaluate, using interdisciplinary approaches from social sciences (such as history and linguistics), the various methods Ācārya Tulasī employs in constructing and communicating the qualities of householders in Jainism
Available for self-study on Monday, May 5, 2025.$99.00 USD
Instructor
Shivani BothraSelf-paced
1016 | Feeding the World: Toward a Plant-Based Food System
The global food system is a paradox: it is at once incredibly productive and terribly destructive. Perhaps nowhere is this paradox more evident than in animal agriculture, which feeds billions of people but causes widespread environmental, public health, and ethical problems. This course asks what the food system would look like without large-scale animal agriculture and what the benefits and challenges would be to feeding the global population on a plant-based diet. This course will introduce students to the concept of food systems and food system analysis, delve into the impacts of animal agriculture, and sketch out the possibilities for building a plant-based food system. Course Details6 hours of recorded video contentWeekly readings for self-studyAccess to class materials begins Monday, October 7, 20244 scheduled, 60-minute Live Q&A sessions with Professor Dutkiewicz on October 15, 18, 25, and November 1 from 8AM to 9AM PacificCourse Materials will be available beginning Monday, October 11, 2024.
$25.00 USD
Instructor
Jan Dutkiewicz, PhDUpcoming
2014 | Jain Teachings & Practices of Compassion
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2014 | Jain Teachings & Practices of Compassion
The Jain tradition is rightly famous for its teachings and practices of ahiṃsā, or nonviolence in thought, word, and action. Less well-known or well-understood is the Jain emphasis on karuṇā or dāyā—compassion. Even admirers of the Jain emphasis on nonviolence might ask whether the Jain ideal is merely one of avoiding harm or if there is a place for doing positive good for the welfare of other beings in this tradition. Given the strong emphasis in this tradition of not harming animals and practicing a vegetarian or vegan diet, some might also ask whether the practice of compassion specifically toward human beings is also important to Jains. The answer to both these questions is an emphatic yes. There is indeed a strong Jain emphasis on living compassionately, and specifically on treating our fellow humans with kindness. This course will explore Jain teachings and practices of compassion–including, but not limited to, compassion directed toward our fellow human beings. All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course. Learning Objectives:Understand the foundations of compassionate living according to Jain teachings.Learn how the Jain tradition provides rich philosophical resources that encourage us to live compassionately.Learn how teachings and practices of compassion are lived out in the Jain community.
Available for self-study starting Feb 3, 2025.
Jeffery Long, PhD