Prof. Samani Chaitanya Pragya
Visiting Professor
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, USA

Former Head
Deptt of Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy
Jain Vishva Bharati Institute
Ladnun-341306, (Rajasthan) India

Founding Director
Bhagawan Mahavira International Research Center
Jain Vishva Bharati Institute
Ladnun-341306, (Rajasthan) India
e-mail: chaitanyapragya97@gmail.com

She is senior disciple of Acharya Shree Mahashramanji, the 11th Acharya of Jain Shwetamber Terapanthi Tradition. Born in Jhabua (M.P.) in 1967. Initiated by HH Acharya Mahaprajna in the benign presence of Acharya Tulsi in 1986 at Rajnagar, Rajsthan.
Areas of Specialization: Jainism, Comparative Religion, Comparative Philosophy, Meditation & Spirituality, Nonviolence, Science of Living, Sanskrit and Prakrit Language
Since 1986 she has been practicing Jain nun and working in the field of education. Her teaching, research and publication are mainly based on Jain philosophy and science. For religious discourses and visiting lectures she has visited USA, London (UK), Korea, Greece, Indonesia, Belgium, Germany, Hongkong, Bangkok, China, Dubai and Nepal. Organized several national and international workshops, seminars and conferences in India and abroad.
Obtained higher secondary education in Arts from Madhya Pradesh, India. Received her BA in Philosophy, English Literature and Sanskrit from Ajmer University, Rajasthan, India. Got MA in “Jainism and Comparative Religion and Philosophy” from Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India in 1992. Awarded PhD on “Philosophical and Scientific Study of a Jain Canon Bhagavatī Sūtra” in 1997, the second edition of which is published by the title “Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira” from Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun in 2020.

Recently edited books: “Jainism in Modern Times” (2015), “Scientific Perspectives of Jainism” (2017) and “Jain Philosophy: A Scientific Approach to Reality” (2018) and “Jainism on Modern Issues” (2020) from JVBI, Ladnun. Published almost 35 research articles on Jain philosophy, religion, ethics, logic and spirituality in various research journals and course books.

Recently she is working at Florida International University, Miami, USA for promoting Jain Studies and research in the western academia. She has also worked at FIU during 2010-2013 for three years and at Ghent University of Belgium during 2016-2017 for two years. She has also been the editor of the Newsletter of Jain Education and Research Foundation, Miami, USA from 2010-2013. She has been the Founding Director of Bhagawan Mahavira International Research Center (BMIRC) and worked for developing scientific research and social innovative studies in the field of Jainism and is continuing the same from 2014 onward.

Since 2011 she is engaged in various major research projects like “Development of Mathematical Thoughts in Jainism” and “Translation of Jain Scriptures and their Commentaries”. Also engaged in editing of the books like “Jain Philosophy, Science and Culture” and “Anekanta: A Philosophy of Peaceful Co-existence and Harmonious Living”.

She has been nominated as the member of Indian Council of Philosophical Research by MHRD, Government of India during 2016-18.