The University of Nalanda c13.213

c13.213

Yet another item of the education which uptil now escaped our attention is the method of teaching. As we have already seen, it was primarily tutorial. Consequently, the personality of the teacher wielded a great influence in building up the character and in developing the mental outlook of the student. This phase of Nālandā-education speaks much in favour of the University. For, what is our ideal to-day, namely, the reduction of big classes to small ones and individual attention over each student, was actually an accomplished fact at Nālandā. Daily attendance upon the teacher may be objected to on the ground that it took much time of the student, and that it curbed his independence. Looking from another point of view, the daily attendance can be looked upon as a practical training for life, cultivated as it did, the spirit of service and humility—virtues—which should be imbibed by all students.