The society was the first British organization dedicated to the study of Asia, and played a key role in encouraging an exchange and transfer of cultural understanding. It is only appropriate that we add to the JAINpedia website with some of the collection from the RAS too.
The RAS in partnership with the Jiv Daya Foundation will be conserving and digitizing 3 Jain artefacts to put on the JAINpedia website, a meditation diagram on cloth dating, from the mid-15th century, a Jain map of the universe on cloth (c.1816) and a paper manuscript dated 1404 of the story of Kalaka and part of the Kalpasutra. These 3 artefacts, will also be described and contextualized in the same manner as the current digitized artefacts on JAINpedia, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
The meditation diagram known as a suri-mantra-pata is believed by Professor Nalini Balbir, to be the only one of its type in a European collection; full details of the artefacts, can be found on the RAS blog. The artefacts, are expected to be digitized and uploaded to JAINpedia by the end of June 2013, and we will keep you updated of the progress.
It promises to be an exciting day for the whole family, with activities including an interactive and musical Giant Snakes and Ladders, the story of Rushubdev Bhagwan in dance, traditional Rangoli demonstrations and workshops, and a chance to see the JAINpediaTravelling exhibition. (more…)
Yes, the day we have all been so excited about is finally here, as we count down the hours left until JAINpedia goes global! But as we approach the launch, we thought it would be nice to share what launching the beta site actually means…
The launch of the beta-site marks one of the closing milestones before the website is released as a final version. This means that the website is not completely finished but is quite close in terms of material and technical functionality.
The most important part of beta testing is identifying and fixing ‘bugs’. A ‘bug’ is a case of the website’s not working properly so a website visitor gets incorrect or unexpected results, for example when loading a page or clicking on a hyperlink.
A beta trial is not a way of adding new features to the site. Rather, it gathers feedback from website visitors – often called end-users – on how well the website works before it is finally released. End-users often give feedback on the usability of the website too, which means how useful, easy and satisfying it is to use or learn how to use.
The moment you have all been waiting for is finally here!
We are pleased to announce that we shall be launching our JAINpedia beta site on Monday the 12th of December 2011.
The website features digitised pages from Jain manuscripts, articles written by Professor Nalini Balbir and other academics from around the world, and much much more. (more…)
The Institute of Jainology’s nineth annual Ahimsa Day commemoration at the House of Commons, held on 12th October 2011 was a tremendous success. This annual event, sponsored by the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative ‘Friends of India’ groups, was attended by MPs, Ministers, Lords and the Jain community amongst others. (more…)
A reminder to everyone, that to celebrate the upcoming Paryushana Festival, the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, London are having a series of events and activities at the museum on Sunday, 21st August (more…)
