ROLE OF BUDDHIST EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA

Buddhist education aims at a personality transformation into a highest form of humanity through ethical, intellectual and spiritual perfection. These three faculties of perfection of human life undoubtedly lead a man through mundane happiness to supra mundane happiness, which is the highest achievement we all are equally looking for. Therefore, the Buddhist education is grounded on the primary psychological need of all living beings, that is to say as the Buddha pointed out “sukhakāmā hi sattā dukkha patikkūlā”. All living beings like happiness and they dislike unhappiness. Education is seen or expected to shape the character of a society. And yet, it finds itself in a situation where it tries to respond to or adapting the changes that take place in the society. This paper attempts to discuss on Buddhist teaching methods in ancient India.. The paper also highlights the important role played by the Buddhist monasteries in the development of education in India as well as other Asian countries.