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Education in Jainism
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mathematics, astronomy and astrology, and even in the science of politics. In one way or the other, there is always some connection even of these 'profane' works with religion. In Southern India, the Jainas have also rendered services in developing the Dravidian languages, Tamil and Telugu, and especially the Kanarese literacy language. They have, besides, written a considerable amount in Gujarati, Hindi and Marwari. Thus we see that they occupy no mean position in history of Indian literature and Indian thought."
Jainism takes an integral view of life. It discusses in the 'Samanasu-ttam', the universal values as means to achieve the highest goal of life. According to Jainism the highest aim or goal of life is to attain Nirvana or liberation. How to, achieve this goal ? In his book 'Tattvarthasutra Acarya Umasvati says: Nirvana or Moksa can be attained by right Faith, right Knowledge and right Conduct together.' Unlike the western thought, Jainism affirms that Faith or Knowledge or Conduct alone by itself connot take us to the path of liberation. We should have all the three to tread the path. Lord Mahavir says, “By knowledge one understands the nature of substances; by faith one believes in them, by conduct one puts and end to the flow of karmas and by austerity one attains purity:"? Thus in Jainism, knowledge plays an important role in Spiritual development to attain the goal of liberation. But then what is knowledge its meaning, scope and kinds ? For this let us have a broad look at Jain theory of knowledge. Jain Theory of Knowledge :
"The consideration of Jaina thinkers about the concept of knowledge is quite historical and have great importance in the field of 'Epistemology' - Jainism accepts the existence of soul, and it has its own theory regarding the nature of soul. The soul, according to Jainsm, has an inherent capacity to know all things. Higher the degree of purity of soul, higher the capacity to know. The obstructions to soul to know are the karmas. Total destruction of karmic veils will lead to 'Ananta Jnana (Infinite knowledge). Knowledge (Jnana) according to Jainas, "is the soul's intrinsic, inherent, inseparable and
inalienable attribute, without which no soul can exist. Knowledge plays an • important part in the conception of soul and its emancipation."
The soul, according to Jain theory of knowledge, has consciousness (chetana) and power of understanding as its most prominent inherent qualities." As conscious, the souls experience in the three following ways. Some experience merely the fruits of Karma; some their own activity; and some again, knowledge."3 KundaKundacharya observes that "Upyoga or understanding is of two modes : Cognition and Sensation." Nemichandra says, "Understanding is divided into two species viz. Darshan or Sensation and Jnana or Cognition." UmaSvati says, "Understanding is the distinguishing characteristic of the soul. It is two serts (viz Jnana or
