Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c26.1

c26.1

**Industrial Education.** The Vinaya texts are not without some evidence upon this subject. There is a passage [*Mahāv.*, v, 4, 2] in which some erring Bhikkhus are reprimanded as behaving towards their teachers worse than even laymen. "For even the laymen, O Bhikkhus, who are clad in white, for the sake of some handicraft that may procure them a living, will be respectful, affectionate, hospitable to their teachers." This passage refers to technical education and the relationship existing between the laymen, as apprentices, and the master craftsman whom they followed for their training in the handicraft selected. In this connection we may recall the evidence cited above regarding the Bhikkhus being allowed facilities in their very monasteries for training and practice in the handicrafts such as spinning and weaving, tailoring, etc. The Vinaya texts refer to a few other occupations pursued by the laity and the general public as sources of livelihood, e.g. Writing or the occupation of the clerk or scribe (*Lekham*), Accountancy (*Gaṇanā*), and Drawing (*Rūpam*) [see *ante*].