Samani Chaitanya Pragya

Contact Information

• Email: chaitanyapragya97@gmail.com

Professional Experience

Head of Department
Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy
Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India

Founding Director
Bhagawan Mahavira International Research Center
Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India

Personal Background

• Birthplace: Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, India (1967)

Religious Background

• Initiation: Jain Diksha in 1986 by HH Acharya Mahaprajna in the presence of Acharya Tulsi at Rajnagar, Rajasthan.
• Current Role: Senior disciple of Acharya Shree Mahashramanji, the 11th Acharya of the Jain Shwetamber Terapanthi Tradition.

Areas of Specialization

• Jainism
• Comparative Religion
• Comparative Philosophy
• Meditation & Spirituality
• Nonviolence
• Science of Living
• Sanskrit and Prakrit Language

Academic Qualifications

• Higher Secondary Education: Arts, Madhya Pradesh, India
• BA: Philosophy, English Literature, and Sanskrit, Ajmer University, Rajasthan, India
• MA: Jainism and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India (1992)
• PhD: Philosophical and Scientific Study of the Jain Canon Bhagavatī Sūtra (1997); second edition titled “Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira” (2020)

Teaching and Research Experience

• Practicing Jain nun and educator since 1986.
• Published 35 research articles on Jain philosophy, religion, ethics, logic, and spirituality.
• International Academic Engagements: USA, UK, Korea, Greece, Indonesia, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, Bangkok, China, Dubai, Nepal.
• Visiting Professor: Florida International University, Miami, USA (2010-2013, 2019 onward) and Ghent University, Belgium (2016-2017).
• Research Projects: “Development of Mathematical Thoughts in Jainism” and “Translation of Jain Scriptures and their Commentaries”.
• Workshops and Conferences: Organized several national and international events in India and abroad.

Editorial and Publications

• Books Edited:
  • “Jainism in Modern Times” (2015)
  • “Scientific Perspectives of Jainism” (2017)
  • “Jain Philosophy: A Scientific Approach to Reality” (2018)
  • “Jainism on Modern Issues” (2020)
• Online Publications: Available on Amazon
  • Scientific Visions of Lord Mahavira
  • Jain Philosophy: A Scientific Approach to Reality
  • Scientific Perspectives of Jainism
  • Jainism on Modern Issues

Professional Recognition

• Member: Indian Council of Philosophical Research, MHRD, Government of India (2016-2018)
• Award: “Second International Conference on Science and Jain Philosophy Award” by Steven J. Green School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Florida International University, Miami, USA (May 29, 2021)

Conferences and Presentations

• Presented Jainism at World Congress of Philosophy: Korea (2008), Greece (2013), China (2018)
• Editor of the Newsletter of Jain Education and Research Foundation, Miami, USA (2010-2013)