Society for Jaina Studies, Japan
By Fujinaga Sin, Toshiya Unebe
Summary
This article introduces the Society for Jaina Studies in Japan, founded in 1986 by Japanese Indologists such as Dr. Atsushi Uno and Prof. Hojun Nagasaki. It is the only academic organization in Japan focused exclusively on Jain studies. A) Key highlights: 1. The Society grew from 11 members to around 90, including scholars, students, and Jainism enthusiasts. 2. It holds an annual academic conference at Otani University, Kyoto, featuring research on Jain philosophy, philology, literature, and fieldwork. 3. Since 1995, it publishes the Journal of Jaina Studies, mainly in Japanese with English summaries. B) Topics in the 1997 volume include: 1. Annotated translations of Pramāṇanayatattvāloka and Anekāntavādapraveśa 2. Studies on Jain logic and epistemology 3. Reports from the 10th World Sanskrit Conference 4. Book reviews and textual digitization projects C) The 12th Annual Conference (1997) included papers on: 1. Jain perception and logic 2. Jain rituals in India 3. Textual inconsistencies in the Āgamas 4. Digital tools for studying Jain scriptures
Conclusion
The Society for Jaina Studies in Japan has emerged as a dedicated academic platform promoting Jain philosophy, literature, and interdisciplinary research. Through annual conferences, scholarly publications, and translations, it has significantly contributed to global Jain studies and fostered cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and the Jain tradition.