Jaina System of Education

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

Page 93

LLCTURE VII
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mentioned gymnasiums were well-planned and scientifically constructed and some of these were located in a huge garden with swimming-pools of cool-unning water in the centic and had taming-grounds for physical exercises on all rounds "So saying, he led him to the place where he was accustomed to bathe This was a garden-,-about a stadium long, with a swimming bath of cold running water in the middle of it on which side an excicising-ground "'" Besides some of these gymnasiums, again, had bathing-halls supported on innumerable pillais simila to the modern American gymnasiums We quote below from the Jaina Sūtia to suppon Ou above statement This householder Lepa possessed, in a north-castein duction from the suburb of Nālandā, a bathing-hall. called Seshachavya, it contained many hundreds of pillais, and was beautiful'
Thus our bucf review of the education of the rulers or guardians of state reveals the truth that they pursued a comprehensive cunicula embracing academic, technical, scientific, military and physical sciences so as to prepare them for State-service in time of peace and in wai The governing principle of the system of education pursued here was to maintain a complete equilibrium between the mind and the body There was to be a perfect balance a perfect harmony of the body and the soul Heic was a Platonic conception of education made more perfectly democratic and profound
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The State also controlled the education of the adult king Adulteducation was in vogue in ancient India and we have constant 1eferences to it in Jaina literature The adult king 1eceived his education in the palace under a veteran teacher in the rudiments of learning as well as in advanced courses of studies, and politics under the general supervision of the minister Night-class after the dinner used to be held for the education of the adult king with the permission of the minister We have reference to such an education in the Prabandhacıntamari where we get a fragmentai y record of the education of Kumā1apāla, king of Guzeiat and a great pation of Hemacandia, the great Jaina leader King Kumarapala had a chequered career and had to fly for his life and pass the longer period of his life in disguise before he could
The Indian Travels of Apolonius of Tlana And The Indian Tmbassies, 57 Jaina Sütias, pait 11, p 420