HOUSTON (Diya TV) — The University of Texas at Austin has established a $1 million endowed professorship in Jain Studies, marking a historic step for the Jain community in North America. The Tirthankar Sumatinath Distinguished Professorship in Jain Studies will advance research, education, and public awareness of Jain philosophy, ethics, and non-violence.
Housed in UT Austin’s Department of Asian Studies, the professorship is the 24th academic chair supported by the Academic Liaison Committee (ALC) of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). This milestone fulfills ALC’s vision of honoring all 24 Tirthankaras, who are the spiritual teachers of Jainism.
On July 19, community leaders, scholars, and dignitaries gathered at the Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB) Center in Houston to celebrate the new endowment. The event opened with Jain chants led by Samanijis from JVB centers in Houston and Miami. Indian Consul General D C Manjunath, Houston Councilmember Tiffany Thomas, UT Austin Dean of Liberal Arts David Sosa, and professors Donald Davis and Akbar Hyder attended the event.
Consul General Manjunath praised the initiative, calling it a powerful step toward educating future generations about Jain values. He said Jain teachings on non-violence, sustainability, and compassion are more relevant than ever. Manjunath also noted that the effort aligns with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of using Jain principles for sustainable development. Philanthropists from across the country made the professorship possible.
Major donors include Jasvant and Meera Modi of the Vardhaman Charitable Foundation, the Swatantra and Bimla Jain Foundation, and community leaders Sulekh Jain, Prem Jain, Alok, and Ritu Jain. Samani Chaitanya Pragya, a senior nun who spoke at the event, called the moment sacred. She said the new professorship represents a lasting investment in peace-building and knowledge-sharing. Jain teachings, she added, offer tools for ethical living and global harmony.
UT Austin’s David Sosa said the chair will expand the university’s work in South Asian religious studies and enhance global academic engagement. Councilmember Tiffany Thomas honored JVB Houston with a certificate of recognition, applauding its work in civic education and the promotion of non-violence.
This new academic chair will support teaching and research in Jain philosophy, ethics, non-violence, sustainability, peace studies, and wellness. It will also connect with the public through school programs, lectures, and interfaith outreach. Dr. Manish Mehta, ALC Vice Chair, said the endowment will help share Jain values with future generations. “Jain values are universal and timely,” he said. “This endowment ensures they will be shared with future generations.”
Lead donor Jasvant Modi emphasized the need to shift from temple-building to “knowledge-building” within the Jain diaspora. “This collaboration with UT-Austin fulfils our call to invest in peace, nurture compassionate global citizens, and shape resilient communities,” Modi said.
The endowment at UT Austin is part of ALC’s larger mission to promote Jain academic studies worldwide. In 2025, ALC will also fund programs at the University of Arizona, the Claremont School of Theology, the Arihanta Institute, and the University of Oxford. Plans are underway for new academic partnerships in Washington, D.C., and Japan. In collaboration with Pune-based ISJS, the committee has already helped train more than 1,200 scholars from 40 universities across 26 countries.
The Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) continues to be a driving force behind this academic movement. Its work ensures that Jain thought—rooted in non-violence, self-restraint, and environmental stewardship—remains accessible to students, educators, and global citizens alike.
The Tirthankar Sumatinath Distinguished Professorship marks a critical milestone for Jain representation in higher education. It reflects the Jain community’s ongoing commitment to advancing scholarship, ethical awareness, and intercultural understanding. As Jain studies expand on university campuses across the globe, this professorship at UT Austin helps secure a legacy of peace, wisdom, and non-violence for generations to come.
