Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c29.32

c29.32

**MSS. copied by Fa-Hien.** The MSS. copied out by Fa-Hien give us some idea of the works of Buddhist literature which were in request in China and also of the usual subjects of study of the monks in India, who do not seem to have any connection with secular subjects. The sacred texts copied out by Fa-Hien comprised the following: (1) The Vinaya, containing the Mahāsaṁghika rules promulgated at the time of the Buddha. "This copy of the rules is the most complete with the fullest explanations" (p. 99); (2) The Sarvāstivāda rules in six or seven thousand *Gāthās*; (3) The Saṁyuktābhidharma-hṛidaya-śāstra in about six or seven thousand *Gāthās*; (4) A Sūtra of 2,500 *Gāthās*; (5) One chapter of the Parinirvāṇa-vaipulya Sūtra of about 5,000 *Gāthās*; and (6) The Māhāsaṁghika Abhidharma. In the monastery at Tāmaliptī Fa-Hien "wrote out his Sūtras" (p. 100).