Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c6.25

c6.25

‘The following is also the manner in which a pupil waits on his teacher in India. He goes to his teacher at the first watch and at the last watch of the night. First the teacher bids him sit down comfortably. Selecting some passages from the *Tripitaka*, he gives a lesson in a way that suits circumstances, and does not pass any fact or theory unexplained. He inspects his pupil’s moral conduct, and warns him of defects and transgressions; whenever he finds his pupil faulty he makes him seek remedies and repent. The pupil rubs the teacher’s body, folds his clothes, or sometimes sweeps the apartment and the yard. Then having examined water to see whether insects be in it, he gives it to the teacher. Thus, if there be anything to be done, he does all on behalf of his teacher. This is the manner in which one pays respect to one’s superior. On the other hand, in case of a pupil’s illness, his teacher himself nurses him, supplies all the medicine needed, and pays attention to him as if he were his child.