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Unit 1: Education in India During Ancient Period : Vedic and Buddhist Education

1.2 Education In India During Buddhist Period Notes

The monasteries were the centers of education during the Buddhist period. Besides monasteries,
there were no other organization for imparting education. Only the Buddhist could receive
religious and other types of education. Other persons were deprived of this facility. There was no
place for Yajna in the Buddhist system. Buddhist period in Indian education roughly starts from
600 B.C and last for about 1200 years till 600A.D. during Vedic period education was mostly
individualistic effort whereas during Buddhist period institutional organization is one of the
chief characteristics of education.
Buddhist education was based on the teaching of Gautam Buddha. These teachings were so
important that they remained a source of inspiration for individual as well as social development
in India. The influence of Buddhist teachings can not be undermined even during later period.
1.2.1 Aims of Education
The chief aims of Buddhist education had been the following:
(1) Development of education: The chief aim of Buddhist education was all round development
of child's personality. This included his physical, mental, moral and intellectual development.
(2) Formation of character: During this period, in the organization of education, special
emphasis was laid on the formation of character of the students. Student life was hard and
rigorous. They observed celibacy.
(3) Religious education: In the Buddhist era, religion was given top priority and education was
imparted through it. The chief aim of education was propagation of religion and inculcation
of religious feelings and education served as a mean to achieve salvation or nirvana.
(4) Preparation for life: In this system of education, there was a provision for imparting wordily
and practical knowledge along with religious education so that when the students entered
normal life they may be able to earn their livelihood.
1.2.2 Sources of Information about Buddhist Education
The following Buddhist literature provides information on Buddhist education:
1. Pitakas,
The ‘Pitakas’’ have the following three divisions:
(i) ‘Sutta* or Tales.
(ii) Vinnay’ or Discipline.
(iii) Abhidammd’ or Doctrine.
2. The ‘Milinda Panha’ (Question of King Malinda)
3. The ‘Jatakas’
1.2.3. Philosophy of Buddhism and Teaching of Buddha
The teachings of Buddha is the Buddhist philosophy. Its main tenets are:
1. Four Noble Truths.
2. Eight-fold Path for Attainment of ‘Nirvana’ (Salvation).
3. Moral Code: Importance of Good Deeds in Life.
4. Middle Path: Avoidance of Extreme Form of Austerity and Luxury.
5. Equality—No Caste System.
(i) Four-Noble Truths
Buddha renounced the pleasures of princely life and practised severe penances for finding out the
truth of life. He saw the following four noble truths:
(i) All existence involves suffering.
(ii) Suffering is caused by desire, especially the desire for the continuance of existence.

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