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Education in Jaina Canons
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The Curriculum :
There is a mention of various Kalās numbering to 72 of which the curriculum should comprise. These Kalas and Vidyās include Grammer, Drama, Fine Arts, Craft, Science, Mathematics and other subjects.?
The curriculum for study and practice has been given in "Upāśakdassānga Sūtra', where 12 vows of the householder have been given in details. They have been describing the lives of 10 ideal house-holders of Lord Mahāvīra. By study and practice of which any individual can lead an ideal house-hold life.
The curriculum has been divided in several parts. The first is Sruti, the knowledge of Jain canons. The Sruti has again been divided into Dravya Sruti and Bhāva Sruti. The Dravya Sruti is one which does not serve any purpose for spiritual upliftment; while Bhāva Sruti is the knowledge obtained with spiritual purposes for the purification of the soul.
Study of the Āgamas and Noāgamas has again been taken under each of the Dravya Sruti and Bhāva Sruti. Study of the books other than knowledge given by Jivas, the perfect souls, has also been allowed if it is done with the spiritual deliverance. 8
In Vyayahārsutrabhāşya certain principles of gradedness, utility and readiness are mentioned keeping in mind the age level and the capabilities of learners.
Thus, there is a combination of experiences of worldly life and spiritual and moral values of life. The curriculum should be such as may be useful and needful for learners. It should be so as may develop the individuality of the individual and prepare him an ideal human being for the society also. This contributes to the happy life of the individual as well as the society one lives in.
Methods of Teaching :
The Svādhyāya or the self study has been an important method of education in the Jain canons. The method consists of the five steps which are of course the five types of it. The word
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