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Studies & Degrees in Jaina Studies

Jaina studies, also called Jain studies or Jainology, is the academic study of Jainism: its philosophy, ethics, scriptures, history, art and communities. Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches a path of harmlessness and renunciation. Its supreme principle is non-violence (ahimsa), and Mahavira is regarded as the teacher who gave it its present-day form. Jains are divided into two major sects, the Digambara and the Svetambara.

The subject is interdisciplinary. Students read sacred texts, study Jain logic and theory of knowledge, and look at temples, images and manuscripts as historical sources. The M.A. at the University of Madras shows a typical range of topics:

  • Jaina history, art, architecture and iconography
  • Jaina ethics, metaphysics, epistemology and logic
  • Sacred texts such as the Acharanga Sutra, the Uttaradhyayana Sutra, the Samayasara and the Tattvartha Sutra
  • Prakrit language and literature
  • Environmental ethics, and Jainism and Indian culture
  • Meditation and personality development

Prakrit, the language of many early Jain scriptures, is the main source language; Sanskrit and regional languages such as Tamil are also used in research.

Qualifications and levels

  • Master's degree. The Department of Jainology of the University of Madras offers an M.A. in Jaina Studies of four semesters (two years), made up of 28 papers. The entry requirement is a bachelor's degree in any discipline. The department's page gives a fee of Rs 10,000 for the two years; confirm the current amount, and the fee for foreign students, with the university.
  • M.Phil and doctorate. After the M.A., some students go on to the M.Phil in Jaina Studies or the PhD in Jainology at the same department.
  • Courses and research elsewhere. Jain Vishva Bharati Institute in India lists a two-year M.A. and a PhD in Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, and an online certificate course in Jain religion and philosophy. In London, the Centre of Jaina Studies at SOAS offers courses on Jainism and postgraduate research in Jaina studies, and publishes the International Journal of Jaina Studies.

Outside India, Jaina studies is usually a specialisation inside religious studies, Indology or South Asian studies, not a degree of its own. Before enrolling, ask the school what recognition its qualification has in the country where you plan to use it.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists one active school for Jaina studies: the University of Madras in Chennai, India, which has been graded A++ in the NAAC assessment, India's national accreditation of higher education institutions. Its Department of Jainology was established by the Research Foundation for Jainology, Chennai, and states that it has been working for 30 years. It is part of the School of Philosophy and Religious Thought, next to departments for Christian studies, philosophy, Saiva Siddhanta and Vaishnavism and centres for Islamic studies and Buddhism.

The department says that its students include members of all four Jain sects as well as non-Jains and foreigners, and that admissions open in May and close by July each year. It has a library of nearly 4,000 books on Jainism and organises visits to Jain heritage sites.

International applicants can use Study in India, the Indian government's portal: register and receive an SII ID, explore courses, apply, accept an offer letter, apply for a student visa and register with the foreigners' registration office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival. Check with the university whether this programme accepts applications through the portal.

Careers

Most graduates stay close to research and teaching. The Madras department notes that many of its former students have been taken on as guest faculty. Other routes are work on manuscripts and editions, translation, publishing, museums and heritage work, and education and community roles in Jain organisations. No official employment statistics exist for a field this small, so a second skill, such as a language or a teaching qualification, is useful.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be a Jain to study Jaina studies?

No. It is an academic subject. The Department of Jainology at the University of Madras says that non-Jains and foreigners study there alongside members of the Jain sects.

What do I need to enter the M.A. in Jaina Studies at Madras?

A bachelor's degree in any discipline. Admissions begin in May and close by July each year, according to the department.

Which language should I learn?

Prakrit is the main language of the early scriptures and is part of the Madras M.A. Sanskrit is also useful for later philosophical works.

Can I study Jainism in Europe?

Yes. The Centre of Jaina Studies at SOAS in London offers courses on Jainism and postgraduate research in the field.