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POMONA, CALIFORNIA, April 25, 2004: Tara Sethia was raised in the faith tradition of Jainism, a religion that has stressed ahimsa, or nonviolence, since its founding 2,600 years ago in her native India. But living in the United States, she says, she found that belief neglected and often misunderstood. “History books always explain change in terms of war, as if it is violence that will bring results,” said Sethia, a history professor at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. “I began to wonder why the history of nonviolence is marginalized. Why don’t kids know about Mohandas Gandhi?” she asked. Her questions became a vision, and now a dream fulfilled: Cal Poly has officially approved her proposal to establish a center to teach about nonviolence through college courses, teacher training, community gatherings and conferences. Supported through private donations and some public funding, the Ahimsa Center plans to hold its inaugural conference next month. Among the scheduled speakers are such leaders in the field as A.T. Ariyaratne, a social activist known as the “Gandhi of Sri Lanka,” and Thai Buddhist leader Sulak Sivaraksa, founder of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists.



As a Jain, Sethia grew up with the traditions of ahimsa, following such vows as nonviolence, truth, sexual restraint and detachment as a path to moksha. A strict vegetarian, Sethia also studied the Jain, Buddhist and Hindu concepts of nonviolence as a scholar specializing in Indian history. In 1979, she came to Southern California to earn her doctorate in the field at UCLA. Her idea for the center, she said, was enthusiastically received by the university. But because of state funding cutbacks, Sethia said, she has had to raise money for the initial five-year, $350,000 budget largely from private donors. In four months she has raised about $200,000 in cash and pledges. “I believe it’s the power of the idea that has created so much enthusiasm,” she said, stressing that the center is nonsectarian and open to all.

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