National Seminar on “Application of Non-Possession in Jainism” organized at JVBU, Ladnun
November 27-29, 2010

A National Seminar on “Application of Non-Possession in Jainism” was held in the Jain Vishva Bharati University from November 27-29, 2010.There were four academic sessions based on various sub-themes along apart from the inaugural and valedictory sessions.

In the Inaugural session, the Registrar Dr. JPN Mishra welcomed all the dignitaries, guests and participants. The Chief Guest of this function Dr. Nathan Katz, FIU, USA enlightened the participants with his though provoking views. Samani Niyojika Madhur Prajna, the Guest of Honor, emphasized on duality of body and soul in relation with possession. Prof. Dayananda Bhargava and Prof. A.K. Mukerjee, both keynote speakers, expressed on the theme of the seminar in Indian and Western perspectives respectively. In her presidential address Samani Charitra Pragya, Vice-Chancellor of Jain Vishva Bharati University, elucidated that in this world of rapid change the human mental structure must also undergo transformation. Dealing with the meaning of theme, she raised important question as ‘Is it no possession or non-possession’? This point was a significant part of discussion among the scholars.

Academic Sessions of the Seminar
The entire seminar was divided into four plenary sessions and each session had the following specific sub-themes.
Plenary Session: 1
Themes

1. Non-Possession: Theoretical Perspectivee
2. Non-Possession as a Religion
3. Non-Possession: Socio- Cultural Aspects

Keynote Speakers:

1. Prof. A.K. Mukherjee
2. Prof. Sagar Mal Jain                            

Paper Presenter:
Dr. Samani Chaitya Prajna : Non-possession v/s Non-possessiveness
Samani Pratibha Prajna : Jain Ascetic: Role Model of Non-possession
Samani Agama Prajna : Non-possession as a Religion
Dr. Ashok Jain : vifjxzgokn ,oa /keZ
Satendra Kuamr Jain : tSu n”kZu ds ifjizs{; esa vifjxzg ozr ij d’kk;ksa dk izHkko
Darshana Jain : tSu n”kZu esa ifjxzg ifjek.k ozr ,oa Hkkjrh; dkuwu
Dr.Samani Kusum Prajna : tSu vkxe lkfgR; esa vifjxzgDr. Sumat Jain : vifjxzg dk yksdksidkjh Lo:i

Plenary Session: 2
Themes:

1. Non-Possession and Development
2. Non-Possession and Environment

Chair: Prof. J.N. Sharma

Key Note Speakers: 

1. Dr. Premanand Mishra : Cultural Response to the Meta Narrative of Development
2. Dr. S.P. Panwar : Non-possession and Development    
3. Dr. B.S. Gurung : Environmental Crisis is also a Spiritual Crisis                    
4. Prof. Nalin K. Shastri            :Perspective of Environmental Concerns and Non-possession

Paper presenter:
Samani Rohini Pragya          : Non-possession- A Pragmatic Maxim


Plenary Session: 3
Themes

1. Peaceful co-existence and Non-Possession
2. Lifestyle based on Non-Possession

Chair: Prof. M.R. Gelra

Keynote Speakers:

1. Prof. K.C. Agnihotri             
2. Prof. R.S. Yadav    
3. Prof. S.L. Gandhi  

Paper Presentation by:     

1. Prof. J.R. Bhattacharya : Non-possession - An eternal view of Indian thought with special reference to Jainism
2. Samani Shreyas Prajna : Non-possession : A greatest Remedy of Stress
3. Ghanshyam Das : Parigraha as Violence of Freedom in the Philosophy of Lord Mahavir and Sartre

Plenary Session: 4
Theme: Non-Possession and Business Ethics

Chair: Prof. Dr. Ashok Bapna
Paper Presentation By:                     

1. Dr. Shyam Prasad : Non-possessiveness and Ethical Business
2. Mr. Subhash Chandra: Business Ethics & Non-possession in 21st Century
3. Dr. Samani Shashi Prajna : Non-possession as a Social Value
4. Samani Shubh Prajna : Economics of Mahavira and Non-possession

The Valedictory Session
The valedictory session was chaired by Samani Charitra Prajna, the Vice-chancellor of the university. She opined that the dynamic aspects of Non-possession will definitely be a practical solution for global problems. Prof. Katz, the Chief Guest, conveyed his heart-felt thanks for the intellectual and hospitable environment provided. Prof. J.N. Sharma, the Guest of Honour, said that he is highly satisfied with the management and deliberations of the seminar. The report on the deliberations was presented by Samani Chaitya Prajna and vote of thanks was delivered by Samani Rohini Prajna.

Open Session
In a session Prof. Nathan Katz had open discussion with the eminent scholars and academicians. It was a platform for sharing the ideas for exploring collaboration between FIU and Indian universities in general and JVBU in particular. The discussion was focused on exploring the possibilities of faculty exchange, launching online courses etc. to disseminate global values of Jainism.

About 31 endowed lectures and research papers were delivered in the seminar. The local hospitality for the participants was provided by JVB, the parental organization. The successful execution of seminar was conducted successfully by Prof. B.R. Dugar (Head, Department of Non-violence and Peace and Director, Research), who was the Director of the Seminar. The seminar on Application of Non-Possession in Jainism has been very fruitful and trail blazing as it has explored new dimensions of the doctrine Non-Possession.
The entire conference was a fruitful academic venture jointly organized by the Department of Jainology and Comparative Religion & Philosophy and the Department of Non-Violence and Peace. The coordinator of this seminar was Dr. Samani Riju Prajna (Head, Department of Jainology and Comparative Religion & Philosophy). The success achieved is due to a galaxy of renowned scholars like Prof. D.N. Bhargava, Prof. A.K. Mukherji, Prof. Nathan Katz, Prof. Sagarmal Jain, Prof. J.N. Sharma, Prof. Nalin K. Shastri, Prof. K.C. Agnihotri, Prof. R.S. Yadav, Prof. S.L. Gandhi, Prof. Ashok Bapna, Dr. B.S. Gurung, Dr. Shyam Prasad, Dr. Premanand Mishra, Dr. S.P. Panwar, Mr. Subhash Chandra and many other professors and research scholars who participated in the seminar.

Library and Campus Visit
Prof. Katz took a round of the peaceful and pollution free campus of JVBU. He appreciated very much the beautiful collection of the rare books and manuscripts at JVBU library and speaks very high about the library and Art gallery.

Cultural Programs
A Cultural evening was also organized for the participants of the seminar in general and for Prof. Katz in particular to enlighten them about Rajasthani culture. Prof. Katz enjoyed very much the Rajasthani folk dances and songs.

(Photos)