Mark Juergensmeyer to inaugurate Sanatan Dharma conclave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of the Navati celebrations of Karunakara Guru, Santhigiri Research Foundation is organizing a global spiritual conclave and a national seminar on ‘Sanatana Dharma – The Philosophy of Navajyothisri Karunakara Guru’ in Santhigiri Ashram.
The Program will be inaugurated by Prof. Mark Juergensmeyer, Head of the department of global studies and sociology, University of California, who is a well known American scholar in religious studies and sociology and a writer best known for his studies on religious violence and global religion.He also writes on conflict resolution and on South Asian religion and society, and is a pioneer in the field of global studies.
Juergensmeyer is the recipient of the University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award, 2003 for contributions to the study of religion. He is also the 2004 recipient of the Silver Award of the Queen Sofia Center for the study of violence in Spain, and was elected president of the American Academy of Religion for 2008-09.
The function will be presided over by Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty, honorary fellow, New Delhi Institute of Chinese Studies. Dr. K. Gopinathan Pillai, research fellow, Santhigiri Research Foundation will introduce the theme. National and international scholars, spiritual heads, doctors, research scholars and others will attend the national seminar from August 22-23, scheduled in five sessions.
Swami Gurumitran Jnana Tapaswi, joint secretary Santhigiri Ashram, Swami Navananma Jnana Tapaswi, director, Santhigiri Ashram, Prof. Sreekala M. Nair, HOD, department of philosophy, Sri Sankaracharya Sanskrit University, Kalady and Sri P.K. Unnikrishna Prasad, general convener, Santhigiri Advisory Committee will also attend the sessions.
Santhigiri Global Spiritual Conclave will be inaugurated on Thursday by Sudarshan Bhagat, Union deputy agricultural minister. The conclave will conclude on Sunday. Several political, social and cultural dignitaries are expected to participate in the programs.