Book Title: Tulsi Prajna 2003 01
Author(s): Shanta Jain, Jagatram Bhattacharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Page 109
________________ Traditional Knowledge Practical Knowledge 8. 9. 10. Philosophy 11. Spiritualism It is clear that training in all the faculties was imparted. It can be assumed that the students have been given choice to select the subjects of their own liking. Since we get these informations from the history of the princes, it can be assumed that many of these subjects were meant for those who run the state. This education was, therefore, different from monastic education. Travelling was considered to be a good means of acquiring first hand knowledge. Vocational Education The Jains had a system of vocational education also. Forests appear to be a good source of livelihood to which Rājsekhar Sūri refers as vanajavṛti and Hemcandracarya vanajīvīkā which includes selling of fruits, flowers and leaves of wild trees. Anyone who took this kind of livelihood had to depend on his knowledge of geography. Traffic in ivory also demanded such knowledge. Other trade in animals were prevalent but were looked down upon by the Jain as astīpoṣāna because they involved violence. Trade in minerals must have been rather more popular. Such trade included occupation of jewellery, gold, silver and copper. We find that a provision for training in these professions was also made under such subjects as ratnaparikṣā. There were different centre which specialized in different disciplines. Campaka for example, was a centre for commerce. The result was that it had specialized in architecture and fine arts, notably music. Rajgraha was the centre of military activities. It was, therefore, also a centre for learning of martial arts. At Vaisali, there were different government officials, like minister, counsellors, commanders, heads of police etc. Similarlly Dwārikā and Polasapura were also great centres of commerce. 104 Education as per one's capability In ancient India, caste was the deciding factor for adopting a vocation. Jainism, however, decided the profession of a person according to his liking. According to Jain Scriptures one has to be judged by four types of talents (i) intutive-autpātikī (ii) disciplined-vainayikī (iii) the talent तुलसी प्रज्ञा अंक 119 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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