Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c10.67

c10.67

Each of these *āśramas* was in charge of a head called *Kulādhyakṣa* and was primarily a seat of higher learning and religious and spiritual practices. It also showed hospitality to all kinds of people in strict accordance with detailed rules and regulations for each category of guests. With the exception of the king whoever passes in front of the *āśrama* shall get down from his chariot and walk uncovered by an umbrella. No one seeking refuge in the *āśramas* out of fear shall be surrendered until his guilt is proved. It is not possible here to dwell at length upon these regulations, which should be studied in full in order to understand the culture of the people. These are highly interesting and throw a flood of light upon the monastic life in Kamboja. We do not possess any such records for the religious sanctuaries of ancient India, on which they were obviously modelled.