Online Courses

This course is designed to inculcate an awareness and appreciation for the overarching philosophy of Ahimsa emanating from the perspectives of the four dharma traditions that started in India: Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Next, this course covers ahimsa and peaceful movements around the world that resulted in meaningful, lasting changes. Thereafter, it takes the students into the 200+ history and evolution of gun violence in America and how it has become an epidemic in the 20th century. We have seen time and again that each act of violence is succeeded by prayers, candles, flowers, widespread media coverage, and a resolution to act, though nothing is ever really accomplished by lawmakers. We develop ideas about how Ahimsa and Peaceful Activism can curb this seemingly unstoppable violence, so that mass shootings and gun violence do not become normalized in our society. Learning Objectives:1. To impart essential literacy about Ahimsa to demonstrate how it is much broader and deeper than the term nonviolence.2. To discuss how the philosophy of Ahimsa has been utilized by Mahavir, Mahatma, and MLK to bring societal transformations.3. To comprehend the enormity of challenges facing primarily America due to the epidemic of gun violence.4. To understand how the Second Amendment has been exploited by the NRA, politicians, and gun lobbies in America, with utter disregard for human lives.5. To discuss how diverse tenets of Ahimsa can be utilized to save human lives through activism in the short (1-2 years), intermediate (3-5 years), and long (6-10 years) terms.6. To learn how you can contribute to curbing gun violence by supporting groups likeEverytown for Gun Safety, Mothers Demand Action, Students Demand Action, Brady’sCampaign, and Ahimsa-End Gun Violence.

This course offers an introduction to Jain Studies. Begin with an exploration of key Jain teachings and practices, focusing on the principles of non-harming (ahiṃsā) and non-possession (aparigraha), both central to the tradition. Delve, then, into the Three Jewels of Jainism—right worldview, right knowledge, and right conduct—and examine how these principles shape the foundation of the Jain tradition. Next, investigate the profound connection between Jainism and animal advocacy, exploring the teachings of Mahavira on animals as well as contemporary Jain practices of animal care. Afterwards, explore the Jain perspective on the human body, including the importance of health, the role of karmas in shaping one’s embodiment, and the fine line between bodily renunciation and the need to have good health. Finally, observe how Jainism’s commitment to compassion and social justice is expressed through transformative social initiatives, focusing on the work of Acharya Chandanaji and the global reach of her charitable organization, Veerayatan.  Learning Objectives:Understand the core principles of Jainism, including the practices of non-harming (ahiṃsā) and non-possession (aparigraha).Analyze the Three Jewels of Jainism (right worldview, right knowledge, and right conduct).Evaluate the relationship between Jainism and animal advocacy.Learn the Jain perspective on the human body and its role in spiritual practice.Assess the role of compassion and social justice in Jainism.

The Jain tradition is rightly famous for its teachings and practices of ahiṃsā, or nonviolence in thought, word, and action. Less well-known or well-understood is the Jain emphasis on karuṇā or dāyā—compassion. Even admirers of the Jain emphasis on nonviolence might ask whether the Jain ideal is merely one of avoiding harm or if there is a place for doing positive good for the welfare of other beings in this tradition. Given the strong emphasis in this tradition of not harming animals and practicing a vegetarian or vegan diet, some might also ask whether the practice of compassion specifically toward human beings is also important to Jains. The answer to both these questions is an emphatic yes. There is indeed a strong Jain emphasis on living compassionately, and specifically on treating our fellow humans with kindness. This course will explore Jain teachings and practices of compassion–including, but not limited to, compassion directed toward our fellow human beings. All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course. Learning Objectives:Understand the foundations of compassionate living according to Jain teachings.Learn how the Jain tradition provides rich philosophical resources that encourage us to live compassionately.Learn how teachings and practices of compassion are lived out in the Jain community.

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.

This course explores compassion formation processes that are grounded in Western monotheistic spiritual traditions. These formation processes promote a spiritual path of radical compassion rooted in contemplative encounters with an all-inclusive sacred Source and embodied in compassionate action that extends toward all—one's self, one's neighbor, even one's enemies. This course does not so much study compassion; it explores how to cultivate a compassionate presence in the world through these spiritual traditions. All suggested course readings are provided as links or pdfs throughout the course.Learning Objectives:After taking this course, students will be able to:Understand how to cultivate a connection to a compassionate sacred Source asdescribed in monotheistic spiritual traditions.Understand how to cultivate compassion toward one’s self grounded in western spiritual sensibilities.Understand how to cultivate compassion toward others through western spiritual practices.

Jain teachers have elaborated on sixty variants of the pan-Indian principle of ahiṃsā (non-violence) in their canonical texts. While physical non-violence—especially the avoidance of harm to any sentient being—is widely recognized both within and beyond the Jain tradition, other dimensions of ahiṃsā focus on fostering compassionate treatment toward not only one’s self but also to fellow humans. This course draws from the Śrāvaka Saṃbodha, a handbook on lay practices compiled by Ācārya Tulasī (1914–1997). This text outlines the qualities (guṇas) of lay disciples and provides practical, didactic guidance on religious conduct, encapsulating the ‘Jain way of life.’ Through these teachings, students will explore how responsible householders can contribute to a compassionate and harmonious society by integrating Jain ethical principles into everyday life. Course readings will be made available as links and PDFs throughout the duration of the course.Learning Objectives:•  Examine the Śrāvaka Saṃbodha, a poetic text written in the vernacular (Hindi) and assess its contemporary relevance to ethical and compassionate living.•  Understand the multifaceted meanings of compassion within Jain thought and analyze how it transcends conventional notions of kindness and non-violence.•  Evaluate, using interdisciplinary approaches from social sciences (such as history and linguistics), the various methods Ācārya Tulasī employs in constructing and communicating the qualities of householders in Jainism

Feeling safe is one of our biggest needs. But sometimes it seems like we live in an age of uncertainty and increasingly complex global crises. What then does it take today for human beings to feel and be safe?In this course you will learn how Jain thought and practice can speak to each of the seven areas of human security: 1) Personal Security, 2) Health Security, 3) Food Security, 4) Environmental Security, 5) Economic Security, 6) Political Security, 7) Community Security. Human security is not merely a matter of technology and logistics and a task for states and big organizations. It can also be approached as value-based: helping others to feel and be safe as an act of compassion. Underlying the concept of human security is the desire to understand what each individual human being needs to be able to flourish and live a meaningful life. In the course we will discuss different ways of answering this question, from the United Nations sustainable development goals to the wisdom of the Jain scriptures, and how they can inform each other to address today’s global challenges. Learning Objectives:•  Understand concepts connected to human security.•  Learn about compassionate Jain approaches to today’s global security challenges in both theory and practice.•  Develop the way you think about security, both your own and that of others.•  Get inspired for compassionate action that makes a difference in people’s lives.

The Tattvartbhasya by Haribhadra describes Compassion as a feeling of mercy for those who are miserable. Compassion also known as karuna or anukampa is the most important principle not only to understand but more importantly to practice in everyday life. Learn how all religions preach compassion, and how the Jain tradition takes its own – a unique approach. Compassion remains a central point in understanding three main principles of Jain tradition ahimsa (non-violence), anekantvad (multiplicity of views), and aparigrah (non-possessiveness). Understand the Jain way of practicing compassion and how other religions address the practice of compassion. Also learn the different ways one can be compassionate, as well as the challenges you will face in serving selflessly along with possible ways to overcome them.All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course. Learning Objectives:Understand compassion/karuna/anukampa following Jain philosophy.Learn compassion teachings by Christian, Islam, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish & Buddhist traditions.Find ways to practice compassion locally in your area.Discover how to help people around the world.Find out how to be a compassionate giving human being.

The global food system is the single largest contributor to the ongoing ecological crisis and humanitarian crisis, impacting every one of the six planetary boundary transgressions that the Stockholm Resilience Center identified in 2023. This necessitates a transformation to a compassionate food system that meets the nutritional needs of all human beings while ensuring that these planetary boundary transgressions are mitigated. In this class, we will examine the architectures of compassionate food systems and how they can be implemented as the foundation of a holistic transformation from the climate heating phase to the climate healing phase of our civilization.Learning ObjectivesUnderstand the Urgency: Articulate the critical need for transforming foodsystems to address ecological crises and social injustices, including theimplications of animal agriculture on planetary boundaries and human health.Define Compassionate Food Systems: Explain the principles of a compassionate food system and its potential to provide nourishing food for all while operating within the limits of planetary boundaries.Analyze Implementation Strategies: Assess the political and economic transformations required to implement compassionate food systems effectively.Facilitate Transformation: Identify grassroots initiatives and strategies to overcome resistance and facilitate the transition to a compassionate food system.

In Vaiṣṇava devotional (bhakti) traditions inspired by the ecstatic figure Caitanya (1486-1533) from Bengal, central importance is attributed to the loving relationship that each practitioner develops with the supreme Godhead Kṛṣṇa. And yet, such traditions also demonstrate that the foundational love that each practitioner cultivates for the divine must also extend towards other human beings (jīvas). This course begins with analyses of the sixteenth century Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition’s early development of Caitanya Vaiṣṇava cosmologies, philosophies, principles, practices, and communities. Such analyses highlight how recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s divine presence in other jīvas is the foundation of all love for other embodied beings, such that compassion (kṛpā) functions as an extension of one’s love for Kṛṣṇa. The course explores how community-building, an egalitarian worldview, and the ethic of humility intersect in Caitanya Vaiṣṇava compassion from the sixteenth to twenty-first century. It ultimately highlights how bhakti traditions, although centrally concerned with love for the divine, also remain concerned with extending love and compassion to other human beings. Course materials include a variety of readings that will be provided throughout the course. Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this course, students will be able to:Understand how Caitanya Vaiṣṇava cosmology and philosophy inform ethical ideals.Understand how the centralizing principle of devotion (bhakti) expands from love of the divine to love for other human beings.Learn how Caitanya Vaiṣṇava principles have been translated into a range of compassionate humanitarian actions. 

This course explores Buddhist understandings of compassion, with a particular emphasis on Dzogchen Buddhism. Compassion is a central Buddhist principle, and is typically defined as the wish to free beings from suffering. Consequently, Buddhist teachers provide instructions on how to cultivate compassion extended to oneself, to other humans and all forms of life. This course explores these Buddhist teachings and practices, including Dzogchen’s emphasis on rest and (non)action in which compassionate responsibility naturally arises. All suggested course readings are provided as links or pdfs throughout the course. Learning ObjectivesAfter taking this course, students will be able to:Understand the centrality of compassion in diverse Buddhisms.Practice Loving Kindness and Compassion (Tonglen) Meditations for oneself and others, in a secular or Buddhist way.Realize the importance of rest and (non)action for generating compassionate responsiveness to all forms of life, including oneself.

The Sikh Dharmic tradition is deeply rooted in the principles of seva (selfless service), sarbat da bhala (welfare of all), and Karuna (compassion). While Sikhi emphasizes the oneness of all creation and the divine presence in every being, it calls for an active engagement in uplifting humanity through righteous action, not merely the avoidance of harm. Sikhs are encouraged to live by the ideals of kirat karni (honest labor), vand chakna (sharing with others), and naam japna (remembrance of the Divine), all of which contribute to a just and compassionate society. Unlike traditions that focus primarily on renunciation or nonviolence as passive ideals, Sikhi promotes a dynamic form of compassion—one that defends the oppressed, stands against injustice, and actively contributes to the well-being of all. The institution of langar (free community kitchen) exemplifies the Sikh commitment to serving humanity without discrimination. Furthermore, the concept of miri-piri (the balance of temporal and spiritual authority) underscores the responsibility of Sikhs to engage in both personal spiritual growth and societal betterment. This course explores the Sikh teachings and practices of compassion—both in their spiritual dimension and in their real-world application—showcasing how the Sikh tradition not only fosters inner transformation but also demands active service and protection of all beings. All suggested course readings are provided as links and pdfs throughout the course. Learning ObjectivesGain a foundational understanding of the Sikh dharmic tradition, including its origins, core beliefs, and practices.Understand the foundations of compassionate living according to Sikh teachings.Learn how the Sikh dharmic tradition provides rich philosophical resources that encourage us to live compassionately and harmoniously with all beings.Learn how teachings and practices of compassion are lived out in the Sikh community.