NCERT Solutions For Class 8 English Chapter 9 (Honeydew) - Prose -9.The Great Stone Face-I

Xuan Zang studied Yogashastra in the Nalanda University of Ancient India.

Many monasteries or viharas were set up for monks and nuns to meditate, debate and discuss with the learned to gain education.

These universities were considered among the best centres of learning in the ancient world. Therefore, they have been declared heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The holistic development of a student is attained when the educational focus is not just on getting the best in academics but also on developing the moral, physical, spiritual and intellectual aspects of a person. Students were taught moral values and ethics that enabled them to become good citizens.

The education system of ancient times was regarded as a source for the knowledge, traditions and practices that guided and encouraged humanity. The stress given to the wholistic development of the individual and the emphasis on values such as humility, truthfulness, self-reliance and respect for all creation made Indian education system globally renowned.

In ancient India knowledge was considered sacred and no fee was charged for it. Contributions towards education were considered the highest form of donation. All members of the society contributed in some form or the other. Financial support came from rich merchants, wealthy parents and society at large. Besides gifts of buildings, the universities received gifts of land.

The Chinese scholars I-Qing and Xuan Zang visited Nalanda University. They had noted that as many as one hundred discourses were held every day in  variety of disciplines through the methods of debate and discussions. Xuan Zang himself became a student of Nalanda University to study Yogashastra.

The legendary Indian grammarian, Panini was an expert in language and grammar. He had authored one of the greatest works on grammar called Ashtadhyayi.

In the ancient education system, students were taught the Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads and Dharmasutras. Sources of learning were drawn from various disciplines, some of which are Itihas, Mimamsa, Shilpashastra, Arthashastra, Dhanurvidya, and Yogasadhana.

Travellers from various parts of the world visited India as the fame of the Indian culture, wealth, religions, philosophies, art, architecture, as well as its educational practices had spread far and wide. The education system of ancient times was regarded as a source for the knowledge, traditions and practices that guided and encouraged humanity.

In ancient India education was considered a way of life. Teaching and learning encompassed all aspects of life such as fulfilling the duties towards self, family and society.

During that period, the gurus and their shishyas lived together helping each other in day-to-day life. The main objective of this system of education was to provide all-inclusive learning, leading to a disciplined life.

Education was imparted in gurukuls. Hundreds of students used to live in Gurukuls for years together till they complete their education. The gurus and their pupils worked together to become proficient in all aspects of learning. They had complete autonomy in all aspects from selection of students to designing their syllabi. When a guru was satisfied with the performance of his pupils, the course concluded.

The salient features of the ancient education system in India are the following: The ancient Indian education was focused on the holistic development of an individual such as moral, physical, spiritual and intellectual aspects of life. It emphasised the values such as humility, truthfulness, discipline, self-reliance and respect for all creations. Teaching and learning followed the tenets of Vedas and Upanishads such as fulfilling duties towards self, family and society.

Ancient Indian Universities like Nalanda and Takshashila became famous places of learning due to the teachers’ expertise. According to Xuan Zang the Chancellor of Nalanda, Shilabhadra, was the highest living authority in Yoga. The courses of study offered by these universities covered a wide range of knowledge then available. Students at Nalanda studied the Vedas and were also trained in fine arts, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, politics and the art of warfare. All these aspects attracted students from different countries to India.