________________
140
Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
the medium of mother tongue, which was practised first by Bhagavana Mahāvīra himself.
Lastly coming to the modern days, the Jaina community as a whole has been adjusting to the needs of the time. Its members have been paying sufficient attention to the cducational needs of their children from their very early age and cducating them in various branches of learning both in India and abroad. Wealthy and pious members, as usual, have extented their helping hand towards building numerous educational institutions which are open for all. Individuals as well as members of the community with collective gesture have come forward to set chairs in Universities for Jaina studies in different parts of the country.
The Jaina Acaryas, too, have made no small antribution to the cause of education. Besides their usual routine of imparting religious and ethical education through their scrmons to the masses wherever they stay or move, they are also playing the role of the main spirit in building notable educational centres, where education in varied branches is to be imparted in accordance with thc Jaina ideals. For example, Kothali (Karnataka), Kumbhoj (Maharastra) ctc., represent primary and secondary stage of such education. The Jaina Visva Bhäratī at Ladnu (Rajasthan) has alrcady developed into a virtual University with these ideals, where fresh interpretation of doctrines like Anekāntavāda and now experiments in scriptural leacings are going on. Another centre of these ideals and high stature viz., Ādaría Mahavira Vidyapitha, is said to come up soon somewhere near Ahmedabad. At Virayatana (Bihar) is coming up fast a unique institute with such ideals and novel experiments in the teachings of the Jina.
This bricf critical survey of the Jaina Path of cducation from the early period to the modern days discloses some important principales and values of education, which also indicate the contribution of Jainism to the field of education in India in general. They can be laid down as follows:
(i) Careful prescrvation of ancient works.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
