This summer, a distinguished cohort of over 35 scholars, students and emerging researchers from around the world will gather in Ladnun, India, for an intensive academic and cultural experience centered on Jain studies, including Indian languages, contemplative practice and the study of rare manuscripts and classical texts.
The Immersive Summer School in Ladnun, scheduled for July 20–August 7, 2026, is being organized in collaboration with Jain Vishva Bharati Institute and Dr. Shivani Bothra (California State University, Long Beach). The highly curated program brings together participants selected for their scholarly interests and commitment to the in-depth study of the lived religion of Jainism in conversation with monks, nuns and laypeople of the Jain Terapanth lineage.
Hosted in the historic city of Ladnun—an important center for Jain learning and spiritual practice—the program is designed to provide participants with a rare opportunity to engage with academic work and culture of Jain communities. Over the course of nearly three weeks, participants will undertake language study at multiple levels, listen to lectures on Jain philosophy and practice, work directly with manuscript collections, and participate in prekṣā meditation and yoga practices.
A defining feature of the Summer School is the opportunity for daily engagement with Ācārya Mahāśramaṇ, one of the most respected contemporary Jain spiritual leaders. Participants will spend daily time in dialogue, reflection and observation, gaining firsthand insight into contemporary Jainism.
Beyond the classroom, the program offers a broad range of immersive experiences tailored to participants’ academic and personal interests. Activities include visits to temples and religious sites, interactions with Jain mendicants, research opportunities in the institute’s library collections, and participation in ritual observances and contemplative practices. Organizers describe the program as an effort to bridge scholarly inquiry with experiential learning, allowing participants to encounter South Asian traditions in context.
The Summer School will also host an international conference titled “Ācārya Bhikṣu: Literature and Legacy,” taking place August 3–6, 2026. The conference will convene scholars and practitioners from multiple disciplines to examine the intellectual, literary and historical contributions of Ācārya Bhikṣu, the influential founder of the Terapanth Jain tradition. Presentations and discussions will explore his enduring impact on religious thought, ethics, literature and reform movements within Jainism and beyond.
Organizers note that the program reflects growing international interest in Jain studies and contemplative traditions within the humanities and social sciences. By bringing together participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, the initiative seeks to foster global scholarly collaboration and deepen cross-cultural understanding.
The Immersive Summer School in Ladnun is sponsored by Dr. Jasvant Modi and the Jain Education and Research Foundation, whose support has made the international initiative possible.
As global interest in South Asian religious traditions continues to expand, the 2026 Ladnun Summer School represents a significant opportunity for a new generation of scholars to engage directly with one of India’s most vibrant intellectual and spiritual communities.