The Ahimsa Vegan Conference: Jain Voices in Animal Advocacy is a virtual event that unites the principles of Jain Dharma with contemporary animal advocacy, ethics, environmental protection, and veganism. Organized by Arihanta Institute, the Jain Vegan Initiative, and Compassionate Living, the conference aims to explore the shared foundations between Jain philosophy and ethical veganism, highlighting how the Jain way of life and vegan living can mutually support and enhance each other.
The conference features a diverse range of topics, including the historical commitment of Jainism to ahiṃsā (non-violence) and its relevance to modern animal protection efforts. Sessions delve into the intersections of Jain philosophy with ethical veganism, animal rights, environmentalism, and social justice, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of these interconnected fields.
Participants have the opportunity to engage with esteemed speakers such as Jonathan Dickstein from Arihanta Institute, Nirva Patel of Harvard Law School's Animal Law & Policy Program, and Shaleen Shah of Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary. The event also offers networking opportunities and interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration and deepen understanding among advocates and practitioners.
This conference is ideal for individuals interested in the convergence of religious philosophy and animal advocacy, including scholars, activists, and anyone seeking to integrate principles of non-violence and compassion into their daily lives. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how Jain teachings can inform and inspire contemporary movements for animal rights and environmental stewardship.
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Speakers(15)
Asha Gala
Lifestyle Clinical Director at Ethos Primary Care
Asha Gala is the Lifestyle Clinical Director at Ethos Primary Care, a first-of-its-kind medical practice. She is certified by the National Board of Health & Wellness as a Lifestyle Coach and approved by Brown University’s Mindfulness Center as an MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) teacher.
Christopher Jain Miller
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Professor of Jain & Yoga Studies at Arihanta Institute
Christopher Jain Miller is the co-founder and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Arihanta Institute. He completed his PhD in the Study of Religion at the University of California, Davis. His primary fields of research are Yoga Studies and Engaged Jain Studies, and he currently serves as the co-chair of the Yoga in Theory and Practice Unit at the American Academy of Religion.
Cogen Bohanec
Assistant Professor at Arihanta Institute
Dr. Cogen Bohanec is Assistant Professor in Sanskrit and Jain Studies at Arihanta Institute and Affiliate Assistant Professor at Claremont School of Theology. He teaches courses in Sanskrit and other South Asian languages, Jain philosophy, philosophy of religion, and comparative dharma traditions.
Hope Bohanec
Executive Director at Compassionate Living
Hope Bohanec has been active in animal protection and environmental activism for over 30 years and has published two books on veganism, humanewashing, and greenwashing. She is the Executive Director of Compassionate Living, a national non-profit promoting ethical eating, and hosts the Hope for the Animals Podcast.
Jina Shah
Past Chair at Ahimsak Eco-Vegan Committee of JAINA
Dr. Jhankhana (Jina) Shah is the Past Chair of the Ahimsak Eco-Vegan Committee of JAINA and a Climate Realities Leader. She is Board Certified in General Preventive Medicine and in Family Medicine, with experience in global public health, drug development, lifestyle medicine, and bioethics.
Jonathan Dickstein
Assistant Professor at Arihanta Institute
Jonathan Dickstein is the Tirthankara Shreyansanath Endowed Assistant Professor of Jain and Vegan Studies at Arihanta Institute. He received a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2022. Jonathan's areas of research include Jain Studies, religion and ecology, comparative ethics, and South Asian religions.
Mamta Valderrama
Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Mercy For Animals
Mamta Jain Valderrama is the Senior Vice President of Global Operations of Mercy For Animals and oversees shared services including Technology, Data Analytics, Project Management Office, Logistics, Research and Impact, and Human Resources. With twenty years of leadership experience, her expertise is in turnarounds, sustainable growth, and constructing a compassionate food system.
Nirva Patel
Executive Director at Harvard Law School's Animal Law & Policy Program
Nirva Patel is the Executive Director at the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School and a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She is also a registered patent attorney, biomedical engineer, and executive producer for several plant-based films, including 'The Game Changers,' 'The End of Medicine,' and 'Meat Me Halfway.'
Nisha Mehta
Screenwriter and TV Producer
Nisha Mehta Ivey is a New York City-based screenwriter and TV producer. She recently wrote for the new Netflix series 'The Fame Game,' starring Madhuri Dixit, and has worked for US and international networks, including AMC, HBO, and Apple. Nisha serves on the board of the Global Jain Network and is an advisor for the Jain Vegan Initiative.
Parveen Jain
President & CEO at Arihanta Institute
Parveen Jain, PhD, is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Arihanta Institute and the author of 'An Introduction to Jain Philosophy.' He had a career of over thirty years as founder and chief executive of multiple technology companies and retired from active corporate life in 2014 to devote his full time to philanthropic activities.
Pratik Bhansali
Jain Vegan Initiative
Pratik Bhansali has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He believes that taking a stand against any form of discrimination is fundamental to basic decency, encompassing all animals—humans and non-humans. Being vegan is a logical consequence of this stand, recognizing the interconnections between all forms of oppression and their links with animals and their rights.
Ruchika Chitrabhanu
Co-founder at Ahimsafest
Born and raised in a Jain family, Ruchika pursued her Master’s in Philosophy, majoring in Jainism. Inspired by Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Smt. Pramoda Chitrabhanu, she has been a vegan for over seventeen years, raising awareness about animal compassion and the benefits of a vegan lifestyle through events and festivals in India.
Shaleen Shah
Founder at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
Shaleen Shah is an Indian-born entrepreneur and co-founder of Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. His lifelong commitment to ahimsa and his passion for animal rights led to the founding of the sanctuary in 2015 with his wife, Shilpi. Together, they have saved over 850 animal lives and welcomed more than 10,000 visitors every year for humane education programs.
Sunny Jain
Founder and Chair at Global Jain Network
Sunny Jain is the founder and current chair of the Global Jain Network, a virtual Jain community with a reach of over 13 thousand Jains globally. He is also on the leadership team of The Jain Vegan Initiative and the JAINA Eco-Vegan Committee and previously served on the YJP Executive Board from 2018 to 2019.
Tushar Mehta
Emergency Medicine Physician
Dr. Tushar Mehta practices Emergency Medicine in the Toronto area and participates in international health projects, formerly in rural India, and now with an NGO in Haiti. He has worked with other NGOs including Sea Shepherd’s Operation Zero Tolerance. Dr. Mehta has given lectures and seminars at JAINA, YJA, and local Jain events.
Event Details
- Date
- February 15-16, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇮🇳 India
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Individuals interested in the convergence of religious philosophy and animal advocacy, including scholars, activists, and those seeking to integrate principles of non-violence and compassion into their daily lives.