Book Title: Sumati Jnana
Author(s): Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala

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Page 308
________________ Jain Education (ii) explaining the text according to the standard of the novice, (iii) giving the reading again to the student if he did not understand it, and (iv) explaining the mearring with proper references. When the Ganin is expected to attend to this Sampad, it becomes clear that he is also expected to have connections with the teaching work, of course, if necessity arises. In the Prayogasampad, with which the Gania is to be acquainted, speaks of the ability of the Ganin in debate. Hence, if the Vacanasampad and Prayogasampad are read together, we feel that a Ganin instructs students through debates and seminars etc. The above divisions among the teaching staff may belong either to the category of pedagogy or conducting practical classes. There seems to be another category, in addition to this, who was engaged in teaching precept and practices. The Sthananga, mentioning the ten kinds of Theras, includes the teacher also by the term Pasattharathera25. The term Sikhaga also means a teacher. The term Suri is referred to in the Mulacara26. But nothing is known from the commentary whether he is identical with the Acarya or a different person. Qualities of the Teacher 285 All persons are not eligible to take up the profession of teaching. According to the Brhatkalpabhasya", the teacher must be an Indian by birth. Which implies that should have been born in Arya desa. He should come of a good family. He must belong to a higher race also and should possess a dignified appearance. He must be endowed with fortitude, and must speak less. He should not be greedy and deceitful i. e., he should not expect any unlawful gratification and without deceiving the student, he should teach him what all he knows. He should not be partial towards any individual i. e., he should treat all the students alike. He must constantly engage himself in study. He should not only know the local customs and practices, but also be acquainted with the local languages and methods of study. He should be thorough with his own Nayas as well as the Nayas of the rival systems. The teacher is also expected to see that his student does not go astray. The Acarya has to take fatherly care of his student, specially in case of illness. He has to bestow all his affection on the student. Students No student is straight away admitted into any class. As religious education is compulsory for everyone who approaches the teacher for education and once was kept on probation either for six months, or four months, or for a week28. The length of this period probably depends on the I. Q. of the candidate. As times, if the preceptor was busy otherwise, he might take longer time to observe the candidate. During this period, the duty of the student, put on probation, was to master the tenets of monk's life. It is only after the teacher is satisfied with performance of the student, he would be confirmed as a student. Types of Students The Sthananga refers to four types of students:29 i) He who has been initiated by a particular Acarya but not confirmed by him. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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