Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c6.76

c6.76

Though Buddhism encouraged a life of separation from the world and the suppression of desire, it did not, like Brāhmanism, advocate asceticism and bodily mortification, and the care of the bodily health was considered as of importance for improvement in the spiritual condition. We find that exercise was encouraged in the Buddhist monasteries of India, and I-Tsing tell us² that ‘in India both priests and laymen are generally in the habit of taking walks, going backwards and forwards along a path, at suitable hours, and at their pleasure; they avoid noisy places. Firstly it cures disease, and secondly it helps to digest food. The walking hours are in the forenoon, and late in the afternoon. They either go away (for a walk) from their monasteries, or stroll quietly along the corridors. . . . If any one adopts this habit of walking he will keep his body well, and thereby improve his religious merit.’