We invite contributions for a panel proposal to be submitted for the EASR conference, KULeuven, 18-21 September 2017 (kuleuvencongres.be/easr2017). In keeping with the conference theme (‘Communicating Religion’), we propose to convene a multi-session panel under the title ‘Communicating Jainism: The media, the messages’.

A minority tradition of South Asia, Jainism is generally acknowledged to have extended much influence upon neighbour traditions throughout the centuries, and has vice-versa also adopted much practices from the latter. As is well noted in scholarship, Mahāvīra, the prince-turned-renouncer and near contemporary of the Buddha, and the countless, liberated jinas who preceded him, are ontologically ‘absent’ and therefore ritually unresponsive. This renders particularly clear the self-reflexive nature of the veneration of the jina and of Jaina praxis in general. This panel aims to explicitly study the Jaina tradition(s) as sets of techniques through which individuals seek to transform themselves and others. These ‘technologies of the self’ include embodied practices which take place outside of or prior to rationalization (ritual, story-telling, meditation, etc.), but also discursive, philosophical activities. In our understanding, it is precisely the handing down of these practices to new generations which constitutes tradition. The papers in this panel therefore propose to study such methods of teaching and learning (the diverse ‘media’), as a counterbalance to the continued scholarly penchant to focus on disembodied ‘messages’ (beliefs, doctrines, philosophies). Current paper proposals deal with medieval story literature (more specifically, Amitagati’s 11^th century Dharmaparīkṣā), novel online and new media practices, and the epistemological priority of embodied techniques in the engineering of Jaina selves.

Further contributions are invited which focus on the generative channels of communication of the Jaina tradition(s) in any given era, and from any disciplinary or methodological perspective.

The (extended) conference deadline for panel proposals set for 31^st of December 2016, we expect a title and abstract (200-300 words) no later than 23^rd of December. An earlier expression of interest would also be greatly appreciated.

On behalf of the conveners,

Tine Vekemans (UGhent),

Heleen De Jonckheere (UGhent),

Tillo Detige (UGhent, tillo.detige@ugent.be).