Revolution in Education :
Buddha was a great revolutionary. He brought revolution in education. Buddha made fundamental changes in the ancient education system. He rejected education system based on Class system, in which shudra and women were deprived of education. Buddha was in favor of social equality, whether it was caste equality or gender equality. This proved to be a big change in ancient sociology and education system. Buddha destroyed the evil practices in the society and opened the doors of knowledge to all.
Script and Writing Mentioned in Pali Literature :
The study of Vinayapitaka shows that by that time the art of writing had become prevalent. Akharikāya, lekha, lekhaka, Akhar etc. words clearly indicate that by that time the art of writing had started. Not only this, in Pācittiya, ‘lekha’ means ‘learning of the art of writing’ has been called excellent craft.
Script and Writing Mentioned in Sanskrit Literature :
A long list of 64 scripts is found in the Buddhist Sanskrit text Lalitavistāra. This list begins with Brāhmī and Kharoshthi script. This leads to the conclusion that Brāhmī and Kharoshthi were the ancient scripts in 64 scripts.
Ashoka’s Inscriptions and Scripts :
There is no doubt in the historicity of Brāhmī and Kharoshthi script, literary evidence is also available. Inscription of Emperor Ashoka are also engraved in both these scripts. All Inscriptions inscribed in Kharoshthi script have been found in Northern, Eastern, Southern India, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Mentioned of The Process of Education :
This information is obtained from Jīvakavatthu of Vinayapitaka –
Anupubben yen takkasilā, yeh vejjo tenupasankami; upasankamitvā tam vejjam etadavoca-“icchāmaham, acariya ,sippam sikkhitu”nti| “Tena hi, bhane Jīvaka, sikkhassu”ti|
(In course of time, he arrived at takshashila and that doctor, having approached, he spoke thus to that doctor; “I want, teacher to train in the craft”. “well, then, good Jivaka, train in it.” )
From this context of Vinayapitaka to get education, information about the admission process is obtained. The learner goes to the teacher and makes a request for education. Teacher used to approve and give him admission for education.
This method of higher education was given to Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis as pabbajjā and upsampadā.
Medium of Education :
Before Buddha, the medium of education was the Chhandasa (Vedic) language. But Buddha rejected Chhandasa and accepted Pali in its place. In this regard, Buddha thought that this is the aim of education that more and more people can achieve it. It is worth mentioning here that two disciples of Buddha Came from Vedic religion told Buddha that People of different names, castes, sept and clans come to you and receive the pabbajjā. They pollute Buddha’s teachings by not making a pure accent. Why don’t we translate these Buddha teachings into Vedic language? Buddha told those foolish men that my preaching is not meant to appease or annoy people. Rather my preaching is for the welfare of all people. That is why, Bhikkhu, do not translate my teachings into Chhandasa language. People should preach my teachings in their local languages.
Changed in Teaching Method :
Buddha also made significant changes in teaching method. Earlier, the learner had to go to the education center and the teachers. But seeing the necessity of the country and the time, Buddha himself took the education and teachers to the learners. This change was quite unprecedented in ancient education. In the pre-existing education system, the learner had to go to the ashram and take education by Guru-Acharya-Upadhyay. But Buddha had asked Bhikkhus to spread his teachings from village to village for public interest, happiness and welfare in his sermon.
Buddha’s Teaching Method :
Buddha’s teaching method was so simple that people could easily understand it. Buddha used similes in his teachings. As in these Suttās-Alagadddupama Sutta (The Water Snake Simile),Vatthupama Sutta(The Simile Of The Cloth),Cula-hatthipadopama Sutta(The shorter Elephant Footprint Simile) ,Mahā–-hatthipadopama Sutta(The Great Elephant Footprint Simile),etc. Buddha was a great psychologist. He used to give education according to the mental capacity of the persons. It is known from the study of these Suttās-Kasi Bhārdvāj Sutta (Discourse to Bhardvaja, the Farmer), Dhaniya Sutta (Dhaniya, the Cattleman), etc.
Relevance of Buddhist Education :
Today, education is taken with a view to earning money. Education should be helpful for building good character. This should be the main objective of taking education. Human beings should progress with the development of objective moral values, should earn money. Along with self- welfare, a sense of welfare of society, nation and the world should develop in human. This can happen through the inclusion of Buddhist education system, predominantly by including Buddhist ethics in the education system.
The Mahā-Mangala Sutta states-
Bāhusaccañca sipañca,
Vinayo ca susikkhito |
Subhāsita yā vācā,
Etam mangamuttamam ||
(To have much learning, to be skillful in the handicraft, well training in discipline and to be good speech-this is the highest blessing.)