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.
