Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 84

Vol. XLI, 2018
The Jains in Ahmedabad
75
year. These Pathshalas teach fundamental subjects like Navtatva and Jivavichar also. These Pathshalas teach Anekantavad, Jivadaya, service and renunciation also apart from spiritual teaching, so that children do not develop fanaticism in them. Ahmedabad has as many as 200 traditional schools. Thus Ahmedabad follows a tradition of religious education. Nowadays, this tradition is followed even in the country like America, where children learn lessons of Jainism on every Saturday and Sunday. Research Institutes :
As described earlier there is a large collection of manuscripts in Ahmedabad. There is a tradition of teaching of various scripts and languages to help read manuscripts. European scholars are also read and write treatise of many manuscripts. Jain Pundits also prepare treatise edition of volumes. Bhimshi Manek was the first who had scriptures printed and then Yashovijay Sanskrit Pathshala in Banaras started publication of volumes. But this did not last for long. In those days, Gandhiji had established Gujarat Vidyapith. He started Archaeology department in Vidyapith. This institute undertook a project of publishing revised edition of volumes, and Pt. Sukhlalji and Pt. Bechardasji took the task of editing/compiling of critique written by Abhayde on Sanmatitark. After ten years of painstaking efforts, the volume was printed in four parts. Many volumes were compiled and edited. Then, a research institute was established in memory of Bholabhai Jesingbhai with the grant given by his family. Shri Punyavijayji was also active in nurturing the literature and research. He edited many books at Atmanand Sabha in Bhavnagar. He had a huge collection of manuscripts. He requested Shri Kastoorbhai Sheth to establish a research institute to preserve those scriptures, which can benefit the society. Shri Kastoorbhai Sheth accepted his suggestion and established Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bhartiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir in 1956. He invited scholars of Jainism and assigned them the task of research and compilation. Till the date, this institute has published 140 volumes, and institute took personal interest in the research work of many scholars. Many such institutions were established during the last two decades: Mahaveer Jain Aradhna Kendra, Koba, Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre, Gitarthganga Institute of Jainology, RISOIS etc. These research institutes are undertaking research works and publications.
These institutes have libraries with plenty of books. The catalogue of these libraries does not show collection on Jainism only, but there are books available on all educational branches and their philosophy. Libraries also