Podcast 2

In this episode of the Engaged Jain Studies Podcast, join Arihanta Institute Professors Jonathan Dickstein and Christopher Miller for a compelling discussion on their shared passions and professional journeys.

Episode Highlights:

• A Fortuitous Meeting: Listen to the story of how Professors Dickstein and Miller first met at an airport during an academic conference, quickly discovering their mutual interests in yoga, Jainism, South Asian religions, veganism, animal advocacy, and social justice.
• Redefining the Practitioner: Explore how Dickstein and Miller are reinterpreting the concept of a "practitioner" as someone who actively addresses society's most pressing concerns, aligning with the core values of the Jain tradition.
• Personal and Professional Values: Learn about how their personal values of compassion and advocacy are deeply intertwined with their academic pursuits and teachings.
• Course Spotlight: Gain insights into their course "Jainism, Veganism, and Engaged Religion" at Arihanta Institute, where they delve into these topics in greater depth, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of these fields.

Join us for an engaging conversation that highlights the significant role of Jain studies in contemporary issues and showcases the dedication of these scholars to promoting a more just and compassionate world.

Listen now to discover how Jain philosophy can inform and inspire modern advocacy and ethical practices.

Subscribe and stay tuned for more enlightening episodes!

Guest: Jonathan Dickstein, PhD, Assistant Professor at Arihanta Institute

Jonathan Dickstein is Assistant Professor of Jain Studies at Arihanta Institute and Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Claremont School of Theology. Jonathan specializes in South Asian Religions, Religion and Animals, and Comparative Ethics. He received his doctoral degree in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his master’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Jonathan has published in a wide array of interdisciplinary journals such as Religions, Philosophy East and West, Food Ethics, and Capitalism Nature Socialism. Jonathan’s current work focuses on Jainism and contemporary ecological issues, extending into Critical Animal Studies, Food Studies, and Diaspora Studies. He is also the academic lead for the Vegan Studies Initiative at Arihanta Institute. Jonathan considers himself a scholar-practitioner, having spent many years not only in libraries but also in public advocating for justice for both humans and nonhumans alike.

Host: Christopher Miller, PhD, Professor at Arihanta Institute

Christopher Jain Miller is the co-founder, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Professor of Jain and Yoga Studies at Arihanta Institute. He completed his PhD in the study of Religion at the University of California, Davis and is also a Visiting Researcher at the University of Zürich's Asien-Orient-Institut and Visiting Professor at Claremont School of Theology where he co-developed and co-runs a remotely available Masters Degree Program focusing on Engaged Jain Studies. His current research focuses on Engaged Jainism and Modern Yoga, and he is the author of a number of articles and book chapters concerned with Jainism and the practice of modern yoga. Christopher is the author of Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation (Routledge 2024), as well as co-editor of the volumes Engaged Jainism: Critical and Constructive Approaches to the Study of Jain Social Engagement (SUNY 2025) and Beacons of Dharma: Spiritual Exemplars for the Modern Age (Lexington 2020).

Resources:

• Learn More: Master of Arts - Engaged Jain Studies - Now accepting applications! Scholarships available.
• Course 1014 | Jainism, Veganism, and Engaged Religion w/ Profs. Jonathan Dickstein & Christopher Jain Miller
• Vegan Studies Initiative @ Arihanta Institute | Courses, Speaker Series, Research & More!
• Voices in Vegan Studies Speaker Series | May - Dec 2024
• Arihanta Institute | Ancient Wisdom Modern Living

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