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 203

EDUCATION IN JAINA CANONS
C. M. Karnawat
Like Buddhistic system of education there is no clear mention of formal education in Jain-canons. (Agamas). There is also little mention of formal centres of learning, where the Jain system of education had been practised, except Jain monks who worked as mobile institutions and the religious places like Upāórayas where the Upādhyāyas taught their pupils (monks). Even then there have been important discussions about the concept of education, its purposes, curriculum and methods of teaching meant for Jain monks and nuns.
Concept of Education :
Education according to the Jain Agamas covers physical, mental, social, intellectual, moral, emotional and spiritual aspects. It should develop spiritual powers and enable the soul to free ones ownself from all bondages. While describing qualities of a pupil in the Uttarādhyāyan Sūtra, words like 'Sikkhasile' and 'Vijjā' have been used for education. Dealing with the qualities of pupils the word 'Saccarae' has also been used. These words connote the desire for knowledge, and search for truth respectively.2 THE CONCEPT OF TEACHER-PUPIL AND THEIR
RELATIONSHIP.
The Teacher :
In Jain-canons the teacher has been named as Ācārya or Upādhyāya. In the Avaśyaka Sutra, the qualities of an Acarya have been given.3 They are-five vows of observance of complete