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What is the role of the Sthananga Sutra in Jain education?

Serving as the backbone of the canonical corpus, the Sthananga Sutra divides the world of Jain wisdom into ten neat compartments. Much like the Dewey Decimal System in a bustling library, its taxonomy guides learners through scripture, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. Monks and scholars have long relied on this framework as the “bread and butter” of their study routine, drilling its classifications by heart to keep every teaching on the front burner.

From Shruta (scriptural lore) to Padartha (metaphysics) and Kriyapada (ritual practice), each of the ten Sthānas acts like a signpost pointing toward deeper understanding. Historically, novices memorized its verse-like lists during morning and evening prayers, turning rote recitation into a living scaffold for more advanced inquiry. Over time, it became a cornerstone in gurukulas and pathshalas, where students recite, debate and apply its outline to ethical dilemmas, meditation techniques and daily conduct.

Fast-forward to today: smartphone apps and interactive e-learning portals put Sthananga’s categories at fingertips worldwide. A recent initiative by the Digambar Jain Mahasabha rolled out bite-sized video lessons, sparking renewed interest among millennials and Gen Z. At international conferences—like the 2024 Paris Symposium on Indian Philosophy—academics have praised its systematic approach as a model for organizing any vast body of spiritual literature.

Ultimately, the Sthananga Sutra remains more than a static inventory. It’s a living roadmap, weaving ancient mnemonic artistry into modern classrooms and digital platforms, ensuring Jain education stays both rooted and ready for whatever comes next.