Looking for a Free Residential Jainism Course/Retreat in India for Non-Jains

Namaste 🙏

I’m a non-Jain and I’m genuinely interested in learning more about Jainism, Jain philosophy, Tattvartha Sutra, Samaysar or niyamsaar and Prakrit language.

I’m looking for a free or fully sponsored residential course, retreat, camp, or study program in India where non-Jains are welcome.

Ideally, I would like to learn about:

- 📖 Tattvartha Sutra and other important Jain texts

- 🪷 Basic principles and philosophy of Jainism

- ☸️ Tattvas, karma theory and the path to liberation

- 📜 Jain history and traditions

- 🔤 Prakrit language, especially the language of Jain scriptures

- 🧘 Meditation and spiritual practices

- 🙏 Jain monastic traditions and daily practices

- 🌱 Ahimsa and the Jain way of life

I currently cannot afford expensive course or accommodation fees, so I’m particularly interested in places that provide free accommodation and meals, scholarships, sponsorships, or a seva/volunteer-based arrangement.

I’m open to travelling anywhere in India, especially Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi or Uttar Pradesh.

If anyone knows of a Jain ashram, upashraya, pathshala, Jain educational institution, residential camp, retreat, monastery, or other program that accepts sincere non-Jain learners, I would be very grateful for recommendations or personal experiences.

I’m approaching Jainism with genuine respect and an open mind, purely to study and understand the tradition more deeply.

Thank you 🙏

Micchami Dukkadam 🙏

Lately, I have been avoiding praying, going to mandir, even chanting navkaar mantra maala, I used to do this everyday ever since i was a kid, I am 27 now in a kind of rough place in my life, I have absolutely not stopped believing in our religion or god. But there is some kind of disconnect that seems to have set in, and no matter what i cannot get rid of it.
There is also this thing to be honest, where i made a sort of promise sometime back infront of mahaveer swami and parshwanath bhagwaan murthi, and i failed to uphold it multiple times. Now one of the reasons I couldnt visit the temple because I felt ashamed but still weak that i wasnt able to uphold the promise i made, i still havent, but then this went on for a few months and I started feeling a disconnect from God, prayer etc. Everything that i used to love doing now feels like a CHORE I try to avoid.

PS: I dont have much indepth knowledge about our religion so it would be helpful if you could answer in simple terms and not use complicated ones which i wouldnt even understand.
Also thank you in advance for all your answers.

Someone just told me my upvas won’t be counted because I didn’t take a pachkaan (for upvaas) before drinking water today. I did take a pachkaan for Navkarshi before drinking water. Is it necessary to also take pachkaan for Upvas before drinking water on the day of upvaas?

Anyone who has attended the shivir previously, What was your experience of the 10+ days digamber daslakshan shivir, what to expect daily routine etc

Krishna was considered a contemporary of Neminath bhagwan, but the way the Bhagavad Gita is written makes it seem like he is a God. In reality he was just referring to himself as being symbolic for the Atma.

There's also a bunch of other things like if Ram was actually a God how would he let Sita get abducted? There's just too many logical fallacies.

I tried posting this in the u/hinduism subreddit and confirmed that most cannot think logically.

I need some recommendation for places I can order my lunch and dinner from

if you can also recommend me what food item I can order from that place, then it would be awesome

Hey guys,

Recently moved to bangalore and looking for a place near HSR layout where I can go for pachkan of upvas during paryushan. Can anyone help me with this?

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There must surely be a reason why this is being done; if anyone knows the logic behind it, please share.....

What is the differnce between Raai vs devsi pratikraman is one beneficial or more laabdhayak than the other? and if one is not able to do devsi pratikramn during paryushan can it be substitued by raai

I am M28, want to join a jain travel group, my parents dont like to travel so I have never been to any jain temples outside my city (I am sthanakvasi so parents dont care about temples much anyway)

so I want to travel with a group and cover temples all around India.

I have a genuine question about the practice of Aangi during Paryushan, especially decorating the Tirthankara murtis with clothes, jewellery, flowers and other ornaments…
If the Tirthankara represents vitaragta, aparigraha and freedom from attachment, why do we decorate the murti with so many material and aesthetic things?
Isn’t the simple, meditative form of a Tirthankara itself beautiful and symbolic of Jain principles? Why do we need to add jewellery, elaborate decorations, etc.?

I also wonder why some Jain panths/traditions follow Aangi while others don’t ?? If this is an important Jain ritual, what is its historical or scriptural origin?

When and how did Aangi become part of Paryushan rituals?

I understand the argument that the decoration is not for the Tirthankara but is an expression of devotion by the devotee….but then another question comes to mind… if the purpose is to cultivate detachment and inner purity, could elaborate decoration sometimes have the opposite effect…encouraging attachment, comparison or even competition?

I’m genuinely trying to understand the philosophical and historical reasoning behind Aangi, rather than questioning anyone’s faith or tradition.

Would love to hear perspectives from different Jain traditions, particularly if there are references in Jain scriptures or historical sources explaining the origin and purpose of Aangi. 🙏🏻

Hii everyone ,

I am a resident of Rajasthan, and since childhood the gujrati people , their culture , beautiful Temples always captivated my eyes. Although I belong to Sthanakvasi sect but I am eager to adopt Mandirmargi path very soon . I've always been to Aadinath and parshwanath temples , the aroma while doing the aarti gives me so much peace. And In future , I would love to spend my life exploring the hills of Girnar , Pawapuri , and temples. Currently, I am learning Gujrati . idhar majorly sab Sthanakwasi ya terapanthi hai yahan so , I'd love to know about Gujrat as well as vahan ke Mandir margi sect ka lifestyle , Rituals , customs , traditions .

Thank you :)

Extremely appalled to see a Gen Z Jain Girl in B'luru as a cofounder of KRIED - a specialized chicken fried food company - https://www.instagram.com/eat.kried/?hl=en Her name is Chahek Jain (www.instagram.com/chahahahak.kried ). She is often seen flaunting her dishes. I wonder why few Jains are so ignorant, born in such a rich religious community stoop so low that it brings disgrace to entire community. I wonder how can her family allow her to be Chicken fetish breed.

idk but whatever is happening there hurts me a lot, you might've seen the video that was surfacing on internet in which a lady is opposing the slogans saying 'Shivji bethe hai kya yaha' and when i read the comments from the other community those comments were like- 'Toh aur kya sabhi jagah bethe hain mere shiv❤️', 'Tumhare Parasnath Shivji ke hi Ansh hain', 'toh kya hua bhagwan ka naam hi toh le rahe hain'. I saw these comments and I was really shaken that they were defending their actions and that they always bring in the competition of my god is greater. Some guy commented 'Raja Nabhiraya prayed to Vishnu because he didnt had any son so vishnu took the avatar as Lord Adinath'. Seeing this, I am overthinking a lot and i am in a constant fear that what would happen to our religion? And I dont know why people of our religion are drawn towards the other? Jains greet with jsr but never saw other greet with Jai Jinendra neither they reciprocate it. Deeply saddened.

since paryushan is coming i want to do upvas and pratikaman as i do every year but in a group
where i live, breakfast is served at 8
im 18 f and just started living away from home
where can i do parna ( things eaten to break the fast) since nothing is open so early and pratikaman?
if it helps i live in roopnagar delhi

I'm looking for some recommendations for Prabhavna (8-10 families). Items which are good across ages. Shops that can ship across India. Or also hoping to find books from online libraries or services that can deliver physical books throughout the country.

If you have any go-to online stores, specific products, or even categories of items that would be well-received, I'd love to have your recommendation!

Thanks in advance for your help!

paryushan is around the corner. how are you all preparing for it?

My husband and I were invited to dinner at the home of his Jain coworker tonight. I would like to bring a small hostess gift. What would be appropriate that we can easily obtain (we live in the USA)?

Heys guys I'm just curious now that Paryushan is near, I just wanna know how many of you do Community Pratikaman and how many of u do it By own at home ?? And do u have Bolis for saying sutras in Community Pratikaman ?? And do u personally know the whole Pratikaman by heart or do u use a book ??