The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c13.27

c13.27

The most characteristic of ancient Indian monasteries, often described in Indian Buddhist literature and by the Chinese pilgrims, Fa Hian and Hiuen Tsang, were the many-storied pyramidal ones. Perhaps there was in these lofty structures some reminiscence of the pyramidal ziggarats of Babylon, used for astronomical observations; but the use to which they were generally applied was of purely Indian origin. They were both monasteries and colleges, their arrangement being adapted for the graduation of the courses of study followed in these institutions, both Buddhist and Brahmanical. The Pâli books record that the spiritual training of members of the order was divided into six graduated courses. As soon as the first section of the prescribed texts was mastered, the monks were exempted from the common drudgery of their ordinary daily life. When they could expound two sections perfectly they were permitted to reside in an "upper furnished room." Those who were expert in three sections This page is completely blank. There is no text, headings, figures, or page furniture to transcribe.