The Buddhist educational centres of ancient India: A pan Indian phenomenon

Abstract

The beauty of Indian system of thought process lies in the ethical, moral and scientific value addition to the human race. It is not difficult to ascertain the fact that these values altogether created the base of ancient educational system. The many philosophical traditions of India reflects more or less same aspects with differences due to time and space. One can even consider these developments as a form of critically analytical viewpoints which took every attempt in their own capacity to remove the element of orthodoxy. The emergence of Buddhism revolutionized the concept of education in ancient India when Buddha opened the door for every human being irrespective of his/her social roots. It opened the opportunity for everyone to receive and understand even the minute point of philosophies which were guiding the society from time limitless. The Buddhist sangha gradually developed into the mature seats of learning known as Mahavihara. This paper is an attempt to cover the major Mahaviharas of ancient India from Kashmir to Bengal. The main aim of this paper to underline their history with whatever sources available and their relevance during that period of time.