Shikshan Aur Charitra Nirman - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shikshan Aur Charitra Nirman" (Education and Character Building) by Muniraj Vidyavijay Ji, based on the provided pages:

Core Message: The book emphasizes the critical importance of character building as the primary goal of education, contrasting traditional Indian educational philosophies with the perceived negative influences of Western culture. It advocates for a return to values that foster strong moral character, spiritual growth, and societal well-being.

Key Themes and Arguments:

The Eternal Need for Education: Education is presented as an inherent and continuous requirement for humanity. While methods and curricula evolve due to societal changes and needs, education itself remains indispensable.
The Spiritual Foundation of Indian Education: India has historically been a spiritually oriented nation. Its culture and educational system have been deeply rooted in the concepts of spirituality, righteousness, and the pursuit of liberation ("Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaaye" - Education is that which liberates). The ultimate aim of education was self-realization, spiritual upliftment, and closeness to the divine, rather than mere material gain.
The Purity of the Educational Sphere: The primary purpose of education was to mold individuals into true human beings. While worldly comforts were a byproduct, they were not the primary goal. Spiritual strength and inner power, stemming from this approach, naturally led to worldly success as well. This spiritual focus made the realm of education inherently sacred.
The Guru-Shishya (Teacher-Student) Relationship: In ancient times, a profound and unified relationship existed between the student, the knowledge, and the teacher. Students revered their Gurus, believing that knowledge was attained through their grace and blessings. This fostered deep respect and devotion, leading to the ideal of the Guru's virtues being reflected in the disciple.
The Significance of Gurukul Vas (Living in a Gurukul): The practice of living in a Gurukul, as described in Upanishads and Jain Agamas, was crucial for character development. This environment provided a sacred and simple atmosphere, far from worldly distractions. Gurus were renunciates, disciplined, and masters of their senses, setting a powerful example. Students resided in these ashrams for extended periods (25-44 years), absorbing positive influences, adhering to Brahmacharya (celibacy), and emulating their Gurus' exemplary lives.
The Role of Ashrams and Vidyapeeths:
- Ashrams (Gurukuls): These were the primary institutions for initial education and character building, starting from the age of eight. They were characterized by simple living, close teacher-student relationships, and a focus on imparting both scriptural knowledge (for spiritual growth) and martial arts (for defense, not aggression).
- Vidyapeeths (Universities): After foundational character development in ashrams, students seeking advanced knowledge in various subjects would move to Vidyapeeths (like Nalanda, Takshila). These were centers of higher learning, housing thousands of students and hundreds of teachers, imparting knowledge across social, economic, political, and historical domains.
The Impact of Western Culture: The author posits that centuries of foreign rule and the influx of Western culture have eroded India's original values and character. Western materialism and hedonism are contrasted with Indian spirituality and renunciation. This cultural clash is seen as a major cause of national decline.
Negative Influences of Modern Culture: The text criticizes modern influences like cinema, literature that promotes vice, vulgar advertisements, and inappropriate media content, attributing them to the spread of Western culture. It argues that these elements corrupt the youth and undermine the sanctity of family relationships, which were central to Indian tradition. Practices like intermingling freely, casual relationships, and disrespect for elders are seen as direct consequences of this cultural shift.
The Imperative for Character Building in Present-Day Students: The future of the nation rests on the character of its students. The author stresses that academic degrees are secondary to becoming true citizens and virtuous individuals. The responsibility lies with educators to create a new educational environment focused on character development.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Deep-rooted Problems: The author acknowledges the difficulty of the task, as negative influences have become ingrained over generations. He likens it to trying to transform lead into gold without first removing the inherent impurities.
- Reforming the System: A fundamental overhaul of the current educational system is necessary. This includes:
  - Eliminating Harmful Influences: Government action is called for to ban corrupting media like cinema, sensational literature, and vulgar advertisements.
  - Revitalizing Residential Schools (Hostels/Ashrams): Modern hostels are deemed insufficient for character building. The book advocates for the re-establishment of Gurukul-like hostels where students live together under the guidance of a wise and virtuous administrator, fostering brotherhood and shielded from external negative influences.
  - Revising the Curriculum: The curriculum needs to be rationalized, reducing the burden of excessive and often meaningless subjects, especially for younger students. There should be a focus on developing in-depth knowledge in chosen fields based on aptitude.
  - Improving Textbooks: Textbooks should be age-appropriate and designed to promote character development. They should clearly delineate what is to be renounced (हेय), known (ज्ञेय), and practiced (उपादेय). They should introduce different Indian religions and their core principles respectfully. Historical accounts must be accurate and presented by scholars from relevant communities to avoid controversy. Textbooks should start with local knowledge and expand outwards to global understanding, and they should incorporate the 72 arts for men and 64 arts for women, emphasizing their ethical dimension.
  - Promoting Foundational Education: Methods like the Montessori system are valuable but need to be made affordable. Incorporating language purity (e.g., Sanskrit, Hindi) from an early age through oral instruction is also recommended, citing a successful initiative at their institution.
The Crucial Role of Teachers: Teachers are not just instructors but "Gurus" and "sculptors" of character. Despite students' current potential shortcomings and limited contact hours, teachers bear immense responsibility. Their personal conduct, integrity, and exemplary lives are paramount. The author criticizes teachers who are motivated by personal gain, exhibit vices, or show favoritism, noting that students are keenly aware of such hypocrisy.
Government and Public Support: The government should actively support institutions that follow Gurukul principles and focus on character building. These organizations are seen as valuable partners in alleviating the burden of education and character development. They should be provided with significant financial aid (at least 50%) and encouraged to become centers of Indian culture, rather than being created from scratch by the government.

Conclusion:

"Shikshan Aur Charitra Nirman" is a passionate plea for a return to the core values of Indian education, emphasizing character development as the ultimate objective. It calls for a systemic reform, driven by a conscious effort to eliminate negative influences and to nurture a generation of virtuous, responsible, and spiritually grounded individuals. The author believes that with courage, determination, and collective effort, the nation can regain its former glory as a spiritual beacon.