________________
Lord Mahavira and His Teachings
ху
thought of the uplift of people through education.
Acharyashri laid a great stress on the desirability of founding a central education institution in Bombay to meet the growing needs of a society, which, though foremost in trade and industry, was backward in educational and professional fields. The idea was welcomed by the rich and the educated sections of the Jainas. They offered their full co-operation and the untiring efforts of an enthusiastic band of workers resulted in giving a definite shape to the thoughtful idea of Acharyashri.
Thus Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya took shape in Bombay in 1915 A.D. Thousands of students have enlivened their lives by the yeomen services rendered by this institution. Even if Acharyashri had done nothing in the field of education except inspiring the foundation of Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya, his name would have been a historic milestone for posterity as an outstanding pioneer of education among the Jainas. This institution, started in a very humble and noble way, has now attracted the appreciative attention of the people of other faiths also. This move, was a forerunner to starting a chain of many other social, cultural, religious and educational institutions in Gujarat, Rajasthan, the Punjab and many other parts of India. This was due to the great efforts of Acharyashri. This serves as a valuable landmark in the social and cultural history of India.
Inspite of his multifarious activities, literature did pot escape his attention. His poems inspired by
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
