Series
Forgiveness in the Jain View: The Interplay of Righteousness, Compassion, and Ethical Choice
Feb 18, 2025
9:00 - 10:00 AM PST
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Presenter: Venu Mehta, Claremont School of Theology
Venu Mehta, an Assistant Professor of Jainism & Comparative Spiritualities at the Claremont School of Theology, specializes in Jainism with a primary focus on Jain regional-vernacular devotional literature, narratives, and practices. Her PhD dissertation investigates the devotion to the Jain goddess Padmāvatī among the Śvetāmbar Mūrtipūjak Jains in Gujarat. Additionally, her work explores the Jain concepts such as forgiveness and non-attachment. Her recent research also delves into Jain-Hindu comparative theologies/spiritualities, particularly regarding goddess traditions. Mehta was a Fulbright Fellow (FLTA) at Indiana University, Bloomington in 2010-11. Mehta has authored essay on Anekāntavāda: The Jaina Epistemology in the volume, Constructing the Pluriverse: The Geopolitics of Knowledge, published by Duke University Press, and an essay on Jainism, Ecology and Ethics in Ecocultural Ethics: Critical Essays, published by Lexington Books. She has authored a book, Learn Gujarati, A Resource – Book for Global Gujaratis, Beginner’s Level published by Charotar University of Science and Technology: India. Mehta earned her first doctorate in Multicultural Education and Literature from Sardar Patel University, India.
Forgiveness in the Jain View: The Interplay of Righteousness, Compassion, and Ethical Choice
In Jainism, forgiveness is a fundamental virtue that embodies the interplay of righteousness, compassion, and ethical choice. Central to Jain thought, forgiveness is not merely an emotional response but a conscious, deliberate decision that corresponds to righteousness (Dharma) and emphasizes compassion (Karuna). Explore with this talk, the ways in which forgiveness is described as an ethical choice that is characterized by compassion and “dharma.”
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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.
Venu Mehta
