The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.72

c14.72

Outwardly, the intercourse between the teacher and the pupil took place with the exhibition of the greatest respect on the part of the latter. As characterising the view that the teacher under all circumstances stands above the pupil, whatever may be the position of the latter, we have the Chavaka Jâtaka (III. 27 sq.), where, as already mentioned, a Candâla raises this protest against the king that he gives the purohita who teaches him the Vedas a low seat, whilst he himself occupies a higher one. The conduct of the king as well as of the purohita is characterised by the Candâla as adhammika, unlawful, contrary to the *dhamma*; we see that the prescription of the law books,¹ in accordance with which the scholar must always occupy a lower seat than the teacher, held good even in Eastern India.