Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.280

c16.280

**Differences of Pedagogic Method : the Method of Faith and that of Reason.** We may also note that the philosophical Systems, from the pedagogic standpoint, exhibit, broadly speaking, a twofold method, though the two methods are not mutually exclusive in all stages of education. Firstly, there are some Darśanas which stand for the principle that the disciple should receive on trust what is taught. Thus the *Yoga* begins with the following distinctive dictum: *Atha Yogānuśāsanam*, "Now follows the injunction of Yoga." Secondly, there are other Darśanas which take their stand upon the contrary principle. They expect the disciple to raise all possible objections, the answers to which build up the systems. Except the Yoga, all the Darśanas are of the latter type. This, therefore, shows that the method of education which was generally followed was not at all mechanical and dogmatic, but absolutely rational and critical. It gave scope to doubt, debate, and discussion. Although, according to the orthodox view, the originators of the Systems obtained a *darśana*, a "vision" of Truth, through their Yogic powers, they would not promulgate their teachings on mere authority, but depended upon and appealed to the ordinary reasoning powers of their disciples to grasp the truths they proclaimed. They refused to build upon blind faith and suspend the critical faculty.