Jain Gazette 1906 04

SR No.: 542480
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagmanderlal Jaini, Sumerchand Jaini
Publisher: Jaina Gazette Office
Publication Year: 1906
Total Pages: 22
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Gazette, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 17

1906.
THE JAINA OAZETTE:
15
the choice of students as to their subjects or centre will remain unrestrict. ed and things will proceed on lines of least resistance.
The number of such institutions can be increased as funds permit. If a model institution be established and it succeeds, there is no gainsaying the fact that money for other similar institutions will very easily be found.
In this scheme our department of the proposed Jain College has been overlooked. You.know perhaps that the plan as at present conceived is this, that the college is to consist of two departments. The aim of the one will be to create graduates acquainted with Sanskrit elementary principles of their religion as a matter of necessity, while the aim of the other. would be to produce Pandits or Scholars of Jain philosophy learned in English also (not according to the University rules but such as may enable them to know that language) or some technical branch of learning as they choose. Evidently the purpose of the 1st will be accomplished by the system I have ventured to describe above, certainly not that of the latter. This can be gained by attaching this department as it is, to any of the institutions of the previous sort and you can call it Jain Mahavidalaya if you like.
As regards locality I would prefer Benares for the institution last named for these reasons.
There are already two first class colleges there, which cannot fail to cast a very healthy influence on our institution.
The Central Hindu College being also a sectarian college will be a good example to follow in the matter of management and other details.
Benares has always been and still is a centre of Sanskrit philosophical learning. The real worth of a thing is known by comparison. There our young Pundits will have to breathe in atmosphere of criticism and they will value their sacred literature, not because they have been taught to do so, but because they have themselves satisfied themselves as to its true merit.
No other place in India claims such fine libraries of Sanskrit books both printed and manuscript (in some cases rare) on all subjects and religions as Benares.
The sum and substance of all that I have said is :(1) Do not spend your money in University edueation. (2) Do not centralise elementary Sanskrit and religious education.
(3) Spend the money that you will spend on English education in spreading Sanskrit and religious education and creating different centres for the same in places which are already the centres of English Education.
(4) Establish a central institution for instruction in Higher Jain Philosophy, providing in the same for ordinary lessons in the English