We have over 40 engaging speakers and presenters coming to the convention. Here is a sample to give you taste of what's to come.

Will Tuttle

Will Tuttle, an acclaimed writer, pianist, and composer, has presented widely throughout North America and Europe. Author of The World Peace Diet and recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award, he has also taught over 20 different courses at the college level, including courses in mythology, philosophy, comparative religion, and creativity.
His Ph.D. dissertation in education from the University of California, Berkeley, focused on educating intuition in adults and was nominated for the Best Dissertation Award. A Dharma Master in the Zen tradition, he has done intensive training in Korea, and has practiced meditation for over 30 years, studying contemplative sChristianity, and a variety of non-Western spiritual traditions.
He is devoted to planetary awakening through spiritual education and to spreading uplifting original music through concerts and his critically-acclaimed albums, the latest being The Call, OceanPrayer, SkyHigh, AnimalSongs, Islands of Light, and Ascension.

Dr. Deepak Sarma

Dr. Deepak Sarma is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Case Western Reserve University. Trained at the University of Chicago in the Philosophy of Religion, Sarma has pursued research in Indian philosophy, specifically in the Madhva School of Vedanta. Sarma has thus published two books on the Madhva School of Indian Philosophy (An Introduction to Madhva Vedanta, and Epistemologies and the Limitations of Philosophical Inquiry: Doctrine in Madhva Vedanta) as well as a reader in Hinduism (Hinduism: A Reader). He has also published extensively in scholarly journals on topics concerning Indian philosophy, Hinduism, and Hindu/ Jain bioethics. Sarma prefers to play the skeptic and encourages his students to do the same. He has focused some of his intellectual energies in recent times in examining the limitations and challenges of following traditional Hinduism and Jainism outside of India. Sarma has very few answers but plenty of provocative questions!

Shrutpragya Swamiji

Shrutpragya Swamiji is an extremely articulate and captivating young spiritual leader. He took diksha (initiation) at the age of 20 and has been traveling the world spreading the message of Jainism ever since. He has traveled to over 30 countries including the US, Japan, Russia, Australia, and the UK to conduct Spirituality, Yoga, and Meditation seminars.
He has delivered several sessions on topics such as “Stress management”, “How to achieve emotional balance”, “A healthy lifestyle”, and “The art of enlightenment.” His sessions are unique in that they relate to the application of Jain principles rather than solely the theory of Jainism. With his humorous anecdotes and motivational messages, he connects to the youth and inspires them.

Samaniji Akshaya Pragya and Samaniji Vinay Pragya

Samaniji Akshaya Pragya and Samaniji Vinay Pragya are both profound spiritual leaders across Jain temples in America. Under the disciple of Acharya Mahapragyaji, they extend their knowledge about Jainism by conducting religious sessions. Currently they teach at the Preksha Meditation Center in Houston, Texas. Over there, besides holding religious sessions, they also help people practice yoga and meditation.
Both Samanajis are highly educated and fluent in several languages, including English. Their knowledge about several modern-day issues helps steer teenagers in the right direction, in compliance with Jainism.

Pulin Modi

Pulin Modi has been vegan and an animal rights advocate for more than a decade. As the Senior Street Team coordinator for peta2.com, PETA's Youth Division, Pulin liaises with student activists, staffs information tables at conferences and music festivals, speaks at schools, and coordinates student-oriented campaigns, including advocating more vegetarian menu options in school cafeterias.

Pulin's student outreach efforts have garnered him interviews with television and radio stations and newspapers across the country, including mtvU, which aired a story about his animal rights work with students during spring break in Florida. He compiled a list of the "Top 10 Veg-Friendly Schools," which was covered by dozens of newspapers and radio and television stations across the U.S. and Canada. After Hurricane Katrina left thousands of animals stranded in flooded homes, Modi traveled to New Orleans to care for rescued animals who were being held at the makeshift shelter at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. Pulin has also participated in hundreds of demonstrations on issues ranging from dogfighting to the fur industry.

Pulin is committed to educating people about the importance of interlinking forms of injustice and what we can all do to help make the world a kinder place for all.

Hema and Manda Pokharna

Hema Pokharna is a researcher at the University of Chicago, and director of Journeys of Life—an independent program aimed at promoting health and disease prevention. She has published in science, humanistic and religious journals. She is currently serving on the Board of the Parliament of World’s religions and dedicates much of her time to interfaith efforts. She is also a member of Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago.
Hema and her sister, Manda Pokharna give extended training sessions, workshops and lectures across the country and around the world that provide powerful and practical training in connecting with one’s self (meditation) and connecting with others. Hema and Manda travel around the world teaching Nonviolent Communications (NVC), whose vision is a world where all people have their needs met and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Yogendra Jain

Yogendra Jain is a technologist, serial entrepreneur, and a passionate practitioner and promoter of Jain Way of Life. He started his career at MIT Lincoln Labs and Texas Instruments before founding and leading several technology based companies.
Yogendra has led more than a dozen “out of the box” seminars and ground breaking projects on Jainism, including Tattvarth Sutra: Ancient Scriptures Come Alive, Essence of Jainism Elevator Speech, Rebranding and Repackaging Jainsim, Discovery of the Soul, and Measuring Your Jain Way of Life. He has recently published a book titled “Jain Way of Life” which provides a guide to a compassionate and healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Manoj Jain

Dr. Manoj Jain is an infectious disease physician and Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Tennessee School of Medicine. Dr. Jain writes a regular health column for the Commercial Appeal, and his writings have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Hindustan Times. He has served as a consultant to the World Bank on HIV, and has been interviewed by CNN International, National Public Radio, and India Today magazine. Over the past 10 years Dr. Jain has given over a hundred talks, and published numerous scientific articles, chapters and books.
Dr. Jain is a board member for the M.K. Gandhi Institute for nonviolence and works closely with Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. He has most recently co-authored a recipe book on Jain diet titled “Jain Food: Compassionate and Healthy Cooking.”

Please note that speaker info is subject to change in the future.

If you have any questions regarding programming please contact programming@yja.org