I was delighted to receive an invitation to the National Workshop on ‘Karma and Health’ at the esteemed Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed University of Vadodara, held on February 9th and 10th, 2024. As I’m a devoted researcher of philosophical studies in our contemporary landscape, the workshop’s theme seamlessly aligned with my academic pursuits and my mission, “Dharma For Life.” I was excited to join the scientific discussions.
As I stepped into the first day of the workshop, a warm welcome embraced me during the registration and breakfast session. The well-planned program covered various aspects of Karma, including biochemical changes, genetic and epigenetic influences, and the philosophical underpinnings across different religions. I found Dr. Jitendra Lakhani’s presentation particularly intriguing, as he explored the intricate connections between biochemical changes and Karma. Young scholar, Ms Aarti Gulgulia’s insights into genetic and epigenetic changes, added another layer to the discussion. Additionally, Dr. Shailesh Mehta’s exploration of Kārmic Intent and its effects on health provided a thought-provoking perspective that further enriched the overall understanding.
I enjoyed the workshop, especially about Karmic Philosophy in other religions. Dr. Bipin Doshi led the session well. Dr. Kumarpal Desai talked about Karma in different faiths, Dr. Gautam explained Karma Theory in Buddhism, and Ms. Prachi Pathak discussed Karma Theory in Hinduism. It was like putting together a puzzle of other views, and I found it very interesting.
In the interactive session, all the participants got an opportunity to share their thoughts. We had a thorough recap of what we learned on the first day, bringing everything together in a clear and complete summary.
I met India’s Space Scientist, Dr Narendra Bhandari, & Neurologist, Dr Pratap Sancheti, who is working on seeing ancient wisdom in a new light. Kudos to the management of Sumandeep Vidyapeetha University for opening a Department of Jain Philosophy and Research. Indeed, India has always been the world’s leader in many ways, and it can achieve even greater heights by such initiatives.
On the second day of the workshop, we delved deeper into Jain Agamic views on Karma. Dr Dharmchand Jain provided insights into the Jain Doctrine of Karma, while Dr N L Kachhara offered a scientiÞc explanation of Jain views on Karma in an online lecture. Dr Trapti Jain and Dr Ashish Shah delved into the role of Karma in psychology.
I express my gratitude to Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed University in Vadodara for hosting an insightful and well-organised workshop. The event not only expanded my knowledge but also ignited a more profound curiosity about how Karma and health are connected. I hope that someday, Dharma for Life and Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University will organise some activities together to enhance further research in the fields of ancient wisdom in the contemporary context.
