Education in Ancient India c7.s6: Other Buddhist Centres of Learning
Education in Ancient India c7.s6
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Other Buddhist Centres of Learning
c7.s6.1
Other Monasteries as Centres of Learning: From stray and casual references in the *Life* and *Travells* of Yuan Chwang, we learn that (1) Jayendra monastery near the capital of Kashmir, (2 & 3) Chinapati and Jallandar monasteries in the Punjab, (4) Matipur monastery in Bijnor district, U. P., (5) Bhadra monastery near Kanauj, (6) a monastery in Hiraṇya (?) country, and (7) and another at Amraoti in Andhra country were notable centres of learning in the 7th century.² At most of these monasteries Yuan Chwang stayed for several months in order to study Buddhist works and get their copies. Their presiding abbots were distinguished authors, widely known in the country. At the time of Yuan Chwang’s visit in the 7th century we must remember that Buddhism was on the decline in the country, and yet so many monasteries were flourishing centres of Buddhist learning. Budhism continued to be strong in Bihar and Bengal down to the 12th century A. D. and we find monasteries in that province like those at Odantapuri and Jagadalla Vihar (founded by king Rāmapāla at his capital Rāmāvtī) were famous centres of learning, spreading the holy knowledge both in India and abroad. We would not be wrong if we assume that during the days of Buddhist ascendancy, at least ten per cent of the well-endowed monasteries were respectable centres of learning and education, at least of the status of modern degree colleges. The contribution of Buddhism to the cause of learning and education was thus very great.
c7.s6.2
² See *Life*, pp. 69-70, 77, 81, 84, 127 and 137 respectively.