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Development of Education System
Notes
8 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY
According to this ceremony the student after being admitted to a monastery had to renounce all
his worldly and family relationship. An individual belonging to any caste could be admitted to
a monastery and after being admitted be did not belong to any caste. After admission he had to
change his old clothes and all old ways and manners of living. For the Pabbajja ceremony the
minimum age was eight years. After the pabbajja ceremony education continued for twelve
years.
For the Pabbajja ceremony the individual had to get his head full’ shaved and put on yellow
clothes. In this shape he was presented before the presiding Bhikshu. On presentation this
individual would pray for admission to the monastery. On his prayer the head Bhikshu would
administer three basic advices which were as below :
1. I take refuge with Buddha. 2. I take refuge with religion.
3. I take refuge with the order.
The aspirant for admission used to pronounce these advices very distinctly. Then his admission
was permitted. On being admitted the individual was called a Sharman. That Sharman was given
ten advices to follow. They were as below :
1. Shun violence and practise non-violence. 2. Speak truth.
3. Do not steal. 4. Do not collect.
5. Observe celibacy. 6. Give up luxury.
7. Renounce wealth and do not touch women. 8. Do not use fragrant things.
9. Do not eat anything untimely. 10. Do not use soft and very comfortable bed.
1.5.3 Responsibilities of the Teacher
Both the teacher and the student were responsible to the monastery or the Budhist order. But
regarding education, clothes, food and residence of the student monk, the teacher was wholly
responsible. The teacher was also responsible for any treatment of the student whenever he fell
ill. The teacher used to bestow all affection to his student and used to educate his through lectures
and question answer method.
When the student attained 20 years of age. i.e., when he received education for
twelve years he had to undergo the Upasampada ceremony. The Upasampada
ceremony entitled a student for full-fledged membership of the monastery.
1.6 Methods of Teaching
Budhist education aimed at purity of character. Like Vedic education it was training for moral
character rather than psychological development of the students. One has to attain the stage of
Bodhisattva. Mental and moral development was emphasized. Following were the methods:-
1. Verbal education: Through the art of writing had been well developed up to Budhist period
yet, due to shortage and no availability of writing materials, verbal education was prevalent
as it was in Vedic age. The teacher used to give lessons to the novices who learnt them by
heart. The teacher used to put questions on the learning the lesson by heart.
2. Discussion: In order to win discussion or Shastrartha and impress the general public, it was
necessary to improve the power of discussion. This was also needed to satisfy the critics and
opposing groups and establish ones own cult. Thus, rules were framed for discussion.
3. Prominence of logic: The importance of discussion encouraged the logic in the Budhist
period. The controversial matters could not be decided without logical argument. Logic was
also useful in the development of the mental power and knowledge.
4. Tours: The main of the Budhist monks was to propagate Buddhism. Hence some Acharyas
like Sariputta, Mahayaggalva, Aniruddha, Rahula, etc gave the importance to tours for
educating people.