Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 360

Sec. I]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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parivrājakava:atis (mathas). In this connection it should be observed that the place where this canonical work, along with the other religious texts was compiled was certainly a great centre of learning and culture.
But there is no reference to any type of public institutions organized and run by the society, like those of the modern days.
Every religious order of the Sramaņas was a travelling school for the progress of education, learning and knowledge in different branches of religious and philosophical studies which were the chief characteristic features of the cultural activities of that period.
Thus there is the mention of many religious assemblies of disputants belonging to heterodox sects, such as, other Tirthikas," Ajivikas, followers of Lord Pārsvanātba,' Parivrājakas, Vānaprasthas, Carakas," Brāhmaṇas,' and Nirgranthas who entered into discussion of subjects on religious and philosophical doctrines to attain the truth and knowledge.
So the teachers of all classes, monks of all sects, students, home, learned assemblies, religious discourses expounding the Law, and literatures were the agencies of learning which imparted education to the people in general.
The ideals of this education have played an important part in shaping the academic careers of the teachers and students and greatly influenced and inspired them with a spirit of literary and cultural mission and activities of their period.
An idea of the systematic educational institutions is found from the evidences of the temple colleges of the Nirgrantha Order where a newly initiated monk or nun had to study the prescrib. ed religious texts for a period of certain years to acquire the requisite knowledge in religion and philosophy along with the
1 Bhs, 2, 1, 90. ? 16, 1, 9, 75 ; 1, 10, 81 etc. 4 Ib, 1, 9, 76; 2, 5, 108.9. 5 Ib, 2, 1, 90. 1 lb, 1, 2, 25,
16, 1, 2, 25; 8, 5, 328 ; 15, 1, 539. 8 Ib, 11, 9, 417. 8.9 16, 18, 10, 647,