Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c6.s3.22

c6.s3.22

Hearing of texts and words uttered by the teacher is to be followed by the process of *Manana*, deliberation, reflection on the topic taught, but it results only in an intellectual apprehension of its meaning. Therefore, there is the stage of learning, called *Nididhyāsana* or Meditation, by which can be attained the realization of truth. As the *Muṇḍaka* points out (ii, 2, 24) " a mere intellectual apprehension of truth, a reasoned conviction, is not sufficient, though it is necessary as the first stage as a sort of mark at which to shoot ". The distinction between the intellectual apprehension of truth and its realization may be well explained in the words of Gautama describing his own training for his attainment of Buddhahood or Enlightenment. His first teacher was Ālāra Kālāma who was so used to meditation that " he would not, sitting on the roadside, be conscious of a caravan of 500 carts rattling past him ". He taught Gautama the doctrine of *Nirvāṇa*. " Very speedily," says Gautama, " I learned the doctrine, and so far as concerns uttering with mouth and lips the words, ' I know, I understand,' I, and others with me, knew the word of wisdom and the ancient lore. We speedily acquired this doctrine so far as concerns lip-profession. Then the thought occurred to me, ' when Ālāra Kālāma declares : Having myself realized, and known this doctrine, I abide in the attainment thereof, it cannot all be a mere profession of faith ; surely, Ālāra Kālāma sees and knows this doctrine.' " Gautama states that very soon he achieved the stage at which he was able ' to abide in a realization and knowledge of the doctrine '.