Public Administration in Ancient India c22.37

c22.37

Charitable establishments in aid of ‘ dharma ’ were erected and maintained not only by the State, but also by guilds of merchants and pious individuals. In Fa Hian’s time, Kings, ministers, and people are said to have vied with each other in making gifts to the poor and to religious persons.⁴ The same benevolent spirit was observed by Hiuen Tsiang as subsisting in the seventh century. At this time the Nālanda Monastery was known as the “ charity without intermission ” monastery, where myriads of priests were entertained, and people from every part hospitably received.⁵