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JAIN SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA
SUNIL KUMAR
We find a great many references in Jain Āgamas to the Jain system of education so much so that we can say that there had been a well arranged Jain system of education in ancieat India.
The period of Lord Mabāvira can justly be regarded as the most creative epoch in the Jajn system of education.
When there was neither any prioting press nor any easy means of communication, the religious teachers, who wandered froin place to place propagating their doctrines, proved to be potential media of mass education.
The Jain and Buddbist education systems appear to be quite similar. The main reason for this similarity is perhaps, that in both the religious education was imparted by those Munis and Bhikkus who spent their whole lives in receiving and imparting knowledge, being away from worldly life.
Aim of Education
By the rise of diffejent religious sects and schools, it was natural that the infus on of piety and religiousness among students was regarded as the first and foremost aim of education. The formation of character by the proper cultivation of the moral feeling was the second aim of education. The development of personality was the third aim of educational system. The inculcation of civic and social duties was the fourth aim of education. The aim of the education system was not to impart general education but to train experts in diffrent branche; of learning. It took part cular care to train and develop memory.
Student Life
A student life began with Upanuyana ritual, which marked the beginning of religious and literary education. It was obligatory both for males and females. After Upanayana, parents used to send their children to a teacher (Kalachārya).
In order to bring education within the reach of the poores', it not only permitted students to be: but elevated begging itself into the highest duty of students life.
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