Ācārya Mahāprajña Chair for Jain Studies
Jain Studies at Ghent University
From the 1950s onwards, a significant expertise regarding Jainism (an originally Indian religious tradition with a long and rich history) has been accumulated within the subdepartment of Languages and Cultures of South Asia at Ghent University. In the 20th century, subsequent professors worked on Jain narrative and philosophical traditions. The past decade has seen a marked rise in the number and variety of PhDs and research projects. In 2022, the Ācārya Mahāprajña Chair for Jain Studies was established to further grow and support this established and unique expertise at Ghent University. This was made possible through donations from individual donors in different countries.
AIMS
De Ācārya Mahāprajña Chair for Jain Studies has the following aims
· Support and further development of research pertaining to Jainism
· Support of teaching and development of teaching materials on Jainism
· Lend visibility to the accumulated academic expertise on Jainism within the university and in international academic networks
· Raise awareness and provide correct information on Jainism to local stakeholders and the broader public.
DONORS
Vardhamana charitable foundation
PROMOTOR
Eva De Clercq
Jaina Studies at Ghent University are spearheaded by Eva De Clercq, who completed her doctoral dissertation, supervised by Professor Van Den Bossche, on the Paümacariu, a Jaina version of the Rāmāyaṇa epic. Having rejoined the Department of Languages and Cultures of South Asia as a lecturer in 2010, she is now further strengthening the department’s focus on Jaina Studies with her research on Apabhraṃśa literature, Jaina Rāmāyaṇas and Digambara monastic history. Her courses include all levels of Sanskrit and Prakrit, as well as South Asian literature and South Asian religious traditions.
CHAIR HOLDER
