Bhagavana Mahavira and his Relevance in Modern Times

Author(s): Narendra Bhanavat, Prem Suman Jain, V P Bhatt
Publisher: Akhil Bharat Varshiya Sadhumargi Jain Sangh

Page 199

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF
JAINA PHILOSOPHY
S, C. Jain
Aims of Education :
Since, the supreme aim of life, according to the Jains, is the spiritualization of the individuality of a person, the supreme aims of education can be none other than to make the pupil realize his inherent potentialities to achieve that final goal. Thus, a Jain teacher is expected to inculcate spiritual values in that pupil's life and to try to divest him of his Karmic load, so that he may be helped to lead a life which may culminate in the liberation of his soul. But it does not imply that Jainism over-emphasizes individuality. According to Jainism, every individual is fundamentally divine. This leads the Jains to be catholic in their outlook and tolerant in their views. In fact, the Jaina principle of Syādvāda is a result of the catholicity of the Jaina philsophy of life, and this Syādvāda is a guarantee that emphasis on individuality will not undermine the general interests and the general welfare of society.
The Five Principles of conduct as the Five Disciplines of Education :
Ahiṁsā, satya, asteya, brahmacarya and aparigraha being the five great principles of conduct in Jainism, shall also be the five great disciplines in the Jainistic system of education. A student in a Jainistic School apart from his bookish studies in different subjects, will be trained to integrate his personality through the integration of his knowledge, his actions and also through the practice of the five great disciplines of conduct prescribed by the Jaina philosophers.