Indian Knowledge Systems: Webinars

India Studies Webinar | Modern Jain Women Activists: From Householders to Ascetics

In this talk, Prof. Howard will explore the legacy of the Sarabhai family and discuss how Jainism-often seen as a renunciatory tradition centered on nonviolence and monastic life—has shaped women’s roles. She will highlight the role of modern Jain women who, as householders, social activists, and ascetics, are redefining liberation and working toward women’s empowerment and the upliftment of marginalized communities. This discussion will provide fresh insights into gender and women’s issues in contemporary society.

Religious Pluralism to Religious Cosmopolitanism: Revisiting Sri Ramakrishna & Swami Vivekananda

Join Swami Medhananda, Monk of the Ramakrishna Order, an Academic Philosopher, and Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at the Vedanta Society of Southern California for a thought-provoking session on “From Religious Pluralism to Religious Cosmopolitanism: Revisiting Sri Ramakrishna & Swami Vivekananda.”

Explore the profound philosophies of the Bengali mystic Sri Ramakrishna (1836–1886), who taught the timeless dictum, “As many faiths, so many paths.” Ramakrishna upheld that various religions, while different, are equally effective paths to the ultimate goal of experiential knowledge of the Infinite Divine, whether as a personal God, the Buddhist nirvāṇa, or the Advaitic realization of nondual Pure Consciousness. His teachings challenge monolithic views of religious pluralism and affirm the equal value of multiple spiritual goals.

Swami Vivekananda, his chief disciple, expanded these ideas into a radical religious cosmopolitanism, advocating the ideal of learning from other religions and fostering multiple religious belongings.