The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.74

c14.74

Much of what has hitherto been said in discussing the relationship between the teacher and the pupil falls under the category of the duty occupying the fourth place in the scheme, the duty of *lokapatti*, properly, making the people ripe, *i.e.*, teaching them. The Brâhmaṇa fulfils this in accordance with the Brahmanical texts, in his threefold position as teacher, as sacrificial priest and as *purohita*.² As from the *Jâtakas* we learn nothing of the sacrificial priest, in case he is not in the service of the king, whilst the *purohita* on account of his political position, is treated apart from his caste, the picture of the Brahmanical teacher has still to be completed by certain characteristics taken from the *Jâtakas*. Our text is full of passages which describe the Brâhmaṇas as "world-renowned teachers" (*disâpâmokkha âcariya*, I. 166, 239, 299, 317, 402, 436: II. 137, 260, 421; III.