Jainism and World Problems

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 11

THE FOUR ASHRAMAS
THE FOUR ASHRAMAS*
In the ancient Indian system of education the aim was to impress the mind of the pupil with the four ideals of the Aryans, namely, dharma (religion), artha (wealth or acquisition), kaina (pleasure) and moksha (salvation). The modern system only impresses the mind with the second and third of these ideals, that is to say, with acquisition and fashion (kama). But unless the mind is impressed with the need for the practising of religion, it will not be able to control and curb down its powerful passions, pride and greed, which are the main causes of wars. The ashramas were intended to strengthen the leaning towards virtue and dharma (religion). As our friend Pandit Ajudhya Das has pointed out, the first ashrama of life is to be spent in study and the control of the senses, so that when a pupil leaves his college, or university, he should be a very amiable and well-disciplined young man. He would be peaceful himself, and a respecter of the peace of others. He would be bent on making others happy and would lead a householder's lise, till he entered the third ashrama, or stage of life, the vanaprastha, which meant retirement from the world. The fourth ashrama is sanyasa, when there is only one ideal before the mind, namely, salvation.
* A short explanation given in the course of the debate following Mrs. Rukmini Arundoll's Lecture at Morrison Hotel, Chicago, on 28th August, 1933 at 8 a.m.