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Jainism, Art and Education-an overture
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that conforms to this Jivana-darśana (Weltanschauung). Its practical views on art and education amply justify it. Games of Snakes and Ladders (Gyānbāji) represents both the progress of one's life and also a moral game. In the former, good and bad conduct and their results are shown. In the latter, the play of the virtues and vices were shown to reflect.
These games in vogue in the 19th Century (References Museum no CIRC 324-1972 and Misc. 423-1981 figure placed on page-9) bear testimony to Jainism's practical promotion of art and education, art of education and education through art in use of keeping or breaking of school rules or cases of modern morality as the reasons for ascending ladders or descending snakes.
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Game, snakes & ladders, Game of Snakes & Ladders, 1895. Museum no.
19th century. Museum no. misc.423-1981
CIRC.324-1972 Snakes and Ladders was also a moral game originally devised in this country. The virtues, in the shape of Ladders allowed the players to reach heaven. The Snakes were the vices for which the player were punished by having to move backwards. In 19th century the game was divided in 84 squires but presently it is played with 100 squires.
Education and art are complementary to each other. Their sublime roots formally lie digged into philosophy. The triune of
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