Jaina System of Education

Author(s): Debendra Chandra Das Gupta
Publisher: Bharti Mahavidyalaya

Page 65

LECTURE VI
EDUCATION OF WOMEN-LAY
In this lecture we propose to discuss the education of female lay scholars imparted outside the pale of the Jama nunneiics for secular puposes The Family, the State and the School were vitally interested in the education of the lay scholais It was universally prevalent, intensely practical having a sound psychological basis The nuns who joined the Jaina Order weic women of mature age as a rule, and consequently, they were thoroughly fit for then task, being well versed both in secula and sacred learning There was a sound knowledge of child and adolescent psychology in the background of the process of education they imparted to then students The physical and mental growth of the child is gradual and not sudden The following quotation will give us an idea of then knowledge of child-psychology "Twins Yasasvin and Surupa wee boin Having the (same) joints, figue and colour (as their parents), a little shorter lived, they gradually attained growth, like strength and intellect together they gradually grew up like intellect and vigour The characteristics of physically growing child ale restlessness, exhuberance of energy, playfulness and hardness biief they are fond of sense and motor activities and aie restless owing to the urge of inner energy During this period their emotions of love, and anger are also manifested "These grew up gradually, playing here and there, very strong, very energetic, like young elephants on the Vindhya Mountains
1
In
"The passions, anger, etc, of the twins appeared like grains of lac on asvattha trees, gradually, gradually " Though the physical, emotional and mental traits aic gradually manifested in the growing child these continue to grow unmitigated in an ideal child born of ideal parentage
1 Hemacandia
Johnson, PhD, pp 98 99. 2. Ibid, p. 148.
Tisastisalaka-puusa Canua, vol II, u by Helen M,