Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c32.s2.2

c32.s2.2

**Description by Hiuen Tsang and I-tsing.** Hiuen Tsang saw at Valabhī "some hundred Saṁghārāmas with about 6,000 priests" [Watters, ii, 266]. According to I-tsing, Nālandā and Valabhī were the two places in India where scholars used to reside for two or three years to complete their education. Valabhī, like Nālandā, also attracted students from all parts of India to hold discussions of "all possible and impossible doctrines", and achieve fame when their opinions were approved by the Masters of Valabhī [Takakusu, p. 177]. We have already referred to the statement of Hiuen Tsang that Sthiramati and Guṇamati were once in charge of the Monastery at Valabhī. This Monastery was equipped with a Library which was considered deserving of a royal grant for the express provision for purchase of books [*Saddharmasya pustakopachayārtham*, in the Grant of Guhasena I of A.D. 559 (*IA.*, vii, 67 f.)]. Students of Valabhī, like those of Nālandā, after graduation, used to present themselves at the Courts of Kings to prove their capacity, present their theories, and even demonstrate their administrative talent to be employed in government service as related by I-tsing [*ib.*]. This shows that Valabhī provided for other studies than the purely religious, secular Vidyās like Dharma, Nīti, Vārttā, or Chikitsā Śāstras.