The Truly Educated Never Graduate

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 10 April 2025 "Vidya Parti Pacchha Nirant Sidha Dhayante " (A truly learned person is committed to learning) Mahavir's pithy observation (in Prakrit) that a truly learned person is forever committed to learning is very true. We express the same in English: " The truly educated never graduate." This encapsulates the essence of lifelong learning. As someone who founded Jainism, a philosophy rooted in non-violence and compassion, Mahavir emphasized that education goes beyond the confines of formal institutional study. According to him, true education is a continuous process that remains with an individual throughout their life. The acquisition of knowledge does not end with the receipt of a diploma or degree. Instead, it is a lifelong commitment to personal growth, self-improvement, and the exploration of new ideas and perspectives. Mahavira's words inspire us to embrace a mind-set of perpetual learning, urging us to remain open-minded, curious, and engaged in the pursuit of knowledge, regardless of our age or societal status. There's a famous phrase in Pahlavi, Be Aamzoz Ta' Zindai (There's no end to learning). True and genuine education begins when formal education ends. Though it might sound like an oxymoronic statement, it's very true. More than education, it's learning that's a lifelong mission. Education is structured. It has a pattern. It might get you a job, it cannot make you learned, wise and erudite. Legendary Shahnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan kept practising till the end. Someone asked him, why did he practise when he was unarguably the greatest Shahnai player the world had ever seen. Bismillah Khan humbly said, "Ghalat Sur Saadh Raha Hoon Aur Ye Shayad Khud Se Aage Nikal Jaane Ki Koshish Hai " (I'm perfecting the wrong notes in a bid to transcend myself). Buddha also said that constant learning was an exercise to challenge oneself; to question one's long-held beliefs and ultimately the realization that a lifetime was not enough to acquire even a scintilla of knowledge. Gyanam Chanchu Pravesham (Knowledge can be likened to a bird merely poking its beak into something). Allama Iqbal says, "Sahab-e-Saaz Ko Laazim Hai Ke Ghafil Na Rahe/ Gaahe-Gaahe Ghalat Aahang Bhi Hota Hai Sarosh" (Even a seasoned instrumentalist mustn't remain inert/ For, gradually can the wrong notes be perfected). Learning is a lifetime mission and passion. Socrates learnt how to play a difficult type of lyre a day before his execution. We learn every day and realize that today is better than yesterday in terms of gaining knowledge and tomorrow should even be better than today in search of new things. This is learning. This is how we educate ourselves every moment. Once you're aware and esurient for knowledge, the passion becomes your life's sole (and also soul) objective and an all-consuming passion. Padh Ke Hazaron Kitabein Aayee Baat Samajh Mein/ Aaghaaz-e-Ilm Toh Hai, Anjaam Nahin Iss Mein (Having read a number of books, it dawned on me that knowledge had a beginning but no end). Lastly, we quite lightly take Urdu poet Jameel Mazhari's famous couplet and mistake it only for a typical lover's obsession: Maktab-e-Ishq Ka Duniya Mein Nirala Hai Usool/ Us Ko Chhutti Na Mili Jis Ko Sabaq Yaad Aaya (The rules of the school of love are different/ One who learns his lesson/s is never free). The very educated Shayar-e-Bihar (An M A from Calcutta University in 1931, Jameel was born in Patna) indeed wrote it from a lover's perspective but he himself said that a lover of knowledge was also never allowed/disposed to go home once he learnt his lesson because he got addicted to it (knowledge). ---- April 10 is Mahavir Jayanti. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/truly-educated-graduate/d/135111 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism