Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.s6.57

c12.s6.57

**Education under ‘Āchārya’.** We have now seen that the normal type of educational institutions as evidenced in the Sūtra literature is that represented by an Āchārya or Preceptor admitting, according to his unfettered discretion, a number of pupils who would have to live with him at his own house as members of his own family under the discipline of a system of rules and regulations governing their life and studies for a minimum period of twelve years. The Āchārya would not accept any fees from the pupils under his instruction and the only condition imposed upon their tenure of studentship was the pleasure of the teacher produced by a conformity to its rules. The progress shown by the pupil was the only factor that determined the continuance of his apprenticeship.