Indian Concept of Education

Introduction

The most important contribution of ancient India not only for India but also for the world is in the field of education. It may also be remembered that education is not an abstract term. It is manifested in the cultural economic, individual, philosophical, scientific, social and spiritual advancement. In other words, education is the means for developing the mind for the betterment of the individual and society. Seen from this perspective, the following views of great scholars and thinkers deserve mention.

Albert Einstein:-

“We owe a lot to the Indians who taught us how to count without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have made.”

Mark Twain, an American Writer:-

“India is the cradle of the human race. Most valuable and the most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”

Lancelot Hagen, in his publication Mathematics for the Millions:-

“There has been no more revolutionary contribution than the one which the Hindus made when they invented zero.”

    

VEDIC EDUCATION

According to Rigveda “Education is that which makes man self reliant and selfless”

According to Upnishads “ Education is that whose end product is salvation”

Vedantic View of Education “We need an education that quickens, that vivifies, that kindles the urge of spirituality”

Dr. A. S. Altekar says that the Brahmanic education aimed at “Infusion of a spirit of piety and religiousness, formation of character, development of personality, inculcation of civil and social sense, promotion of social efficacy, & preservation and spread of national culture.”

 1. Knowledge:

Education is knowledge. It is mans third eye. This aphorism means that knowledge opens mans inner eye, flooding him with spiritual and divine light, which forms the provision for man‘s journey through life. Through education, the development of every aspect of human life become possible. Knowledge protects an individual like a mother, inspires him to follow the path of good conduct as father does, and gives the pleasure that one‘s wife provides.

2. Infusion of Spiritual & Religious Values:

The primary aim of ancient education was instilling into the minds, of pupils a spirit of being pious and religious for glory of God and good of man. The pursuit of knowledge was a pursuit of religious values. The life of the pupil was full of ritual acts. Prayers were common every pupil was required to perform religious ceremonies duly. He had to participate in all religious festivals. Education without religions instructions was not education at all. It was believed that a keener appreciation of spiritual values could be fostered only through a strict observance if religious rites.

3. Character Development

In no period of the History of India, was so much stress laid on character building as in the Vedic period Vyas Samhita states, ―The result of education is good character and good behaviour. A conquest does not make a hero nor studies a wise – woman. He who has conquered his senses is the real hero. He who practices virtue in really wise.‖ Wisdom consisted in the practice of moral values. Control of senses and practice of virtues made one a man of character. Moral excellence could come only through praticising moral values. Example was better than precept. The teacher and the taught were ideals of morality, for both practiced it all through their lives.

4. Development of Civic Responsibilities and Social Values:

The inculcation of civic virtues and social values was an equally important objective of education in India. The Brahmachari after his education in the Gurukulas went back to the society to serve the rich and the poor, to relieve the diseased and the distressed. He was required to be hospitable to the guests and charitable to the needy. After a certain period of studies he was required to become a householder and to perpetuate his race and transmit his culture to his own off springs.

5. Personality Development:

The Guru in the ancient times realized that the development of personality is the sole aim of education. Human personality was regarded as the supreme work of God. The qualities of self-esteem, self confidence, self restraint and self respect were the personality traits that the educator tried to incukate in his pupils through example.

6. Preserving and Diffusing National Culture:

Vedic culture was kept intact and transmitted through word of mouth to succeeding generations. Every individual was required to commit to memory at least a portion of the sacred scriptures. Everyone was required to serve as a medium of transmission. The members of the priestly class learnt the whole of Vedic Literature by heart & passed it on.

JAINISM

1. Self Control

2. Renunciation

3. Liberation (Self reliant, Individual efforts)

MUSLIM EDUCATION

Quran’ first word is IQRA which means “Seek Knowledge”

According to Tirmidhi

“A single scholar of religion is more formidable against shaitaan than thousand devout person”

1- Religious Objective:

It refers to the Quran as the primary source of knowledge, as well as the Sunnah of the Prophet, and aims at developing the Muslim personality that believes in Allah, his prophets, angels, revealed books, day of judgment and destiny along with reviving the Islamic rites, sticking to its instructions and spreading its teachings amongst future generations.

2- Worldly Objective:

It is not less important than the religious objective as the noble verses of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet have repetitively stressed on the importance of acquiring knowledge and seeking after it for every Muslim individual. The Quran and the Sunnah have furthermore emphasized on the vitality of benefiting from Allah’s blessings in the Universe, urging Muslims to seek after their well-being and secure a good livelihood by earning money through legal means; such as trade, manufacturing or agriculture … etc.

Islamic education has sought to intermediate between those two objectives and work on striking harmony and balance between them, thereby fulfilling the famous statement of Imam Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, “Work for your temporal world as if you will live forever; and work for the Hereafter as if you will die tomorrow.”

3- ‘Knowledge for the Sake of Knowledge' Objective:

This objective reflects the spiritual pleasure of acquiring knowledge, and it is the motivation that sets human individuals on the quest for truth, to seek after knowledge and embark on a journey of learning and research, just for the pleasure of learning.

BUDDHISM

1. Nirvana

2. Demolishing Blind Faith

3. Control of Sense and mind

4. Non Violence

5. Truthfulness

MODERN CONCEPT OF EDUCATION

MK Gandhi “ By education I mean an all around drawing out of best in child and man- mind body and spirit”

1. All Round Development

In our national perception education is essentially for all. This is fundamental to our all round development material and spiritual.

2. Acculturating Role { process of cultural and psychological change}

Education has an acculturating role. It refines sensitivities and perceptions that contribute to national cohesion, a scientific temper and independence of mind and spirit – thus furthering the goal of socialism, secularism and democracy enshrined in our Constitution.

3. Development of Manpower

Education develops manpower for different levels of the economy. It is also a substrate on which research and development flourish, being the ultimate gurantee of national self-reliance.

4. Unique Investment

Education is a unique investment in the present and the future. This cardinal principle is the key to the National Policy of Education.