Mahavira Jain Vidyalaya Rajat Jayanti Mahotsava

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 174

P. G. SHAH
[M. J. VIDYALAYA they have to admit students from other communities and they cannot close the door to culture other than that represented by the respective religions. It is therefore desirable that, while taking advantage of the existing Universities and Colleges, the Jains should strengthen their efforts by the grant of more numerous scholarships for a wider variety of subjects and by a more systematic encouragement of higher learning among the students of their community irrespective of the restriction regarding either the subject of study or the religion of the student. It is important, however, that the subjects and methods of study should be determined with reference more to the needs of the community rather than the requirements and limitations of the University regulations. Like all institutions our university life needs the inspiration and criticism of practical men who have to deal with the problems of daily life. This is specially necessary in this country where the University is so completely detached from the problems of practical life and in the case of the Jain community whose practical achievements in the present day are far in advance of their cultural achievements either in the present day or in days of its glorious past.
A compact and well regulated community like the Jains affords ample opportunities for practical research. I do not wish to discuss the problems of research which await the historian and archa:ologist in the matter of a systematic study of Jain history and religion, yet I cannot help making a passing reference to the necessity of a scientific study of Jainism as a comparative religion. Such a study is necessary both from the cultural and practical point of view, for without it, the petty religious conflicts which mar our social life and which create schisms, where none should exist--and these form a problem among the sects of Jainism itself-will overpower the forces of progress and goodwill.
Research need not however, he confined either to religion or history ; a systematic study of the problems that affect the health, physical and mental activities, and which provide a survey of the existing problems and suggest their solutions would require immense efforts on the part of Jain doctors, psychologists, and scientists and will have to be provided with ample funds by Jain philanthropists and millionaires. I suggest a small list of problems which will require a body of select and trained workers for a number of years :
1. Investigations into the physical measurements of the Jain commu.
nity in as many centres as possible with the object of fixing norms and suggesting improvements in the standards of mea