Centres Learning in India during Buddhist Period B.ed Notes

Some of the most important centres of learning in India during Buddhist period are as follows: 

1. Taxila 

2. Nalanda 

3. Vikramshila 

4. Vallabi.

                     However, these organised institutions in the form of Monasteries, Viharas and Universities formed the spinal cord of culture of the country. Certain important centres of learning of Buddhist period which deserved special attention were Taxila, Nalanda, Vallabhi, Vikramashila, Odantapuri etc.

1. Taxila:

                Taxila was an important centre of Brahmanical education. Its fame continued in Northern India even during the Buddhist period. In 5th century A.D. when Fa-Hien visited Taxila there was no sign of any educational centre.

2. Nalanda:

                   Nalanda was a famous cultural and educational centre of Northern India, situated at a distance of forty miles South- West of modern Patna and seven miles north of Rajagriha. Primarily it was a small village having nothing to boast of its educational importance.

3. Vikramshila:

                         In the eighth century A.D. King Dharmapala had founded the Vihara of Vikramshila on a hillock on the bank of the Ganga in Magadha near Nalanda. The architectural design of the Vihara was unique. This Vihara was surrounded by a strong wall. At the centre there was a temple adorned with the images of Mahabodhi.

4. Vallabi:

                 During Buddhist period another important education centre which flourished between A.D. 475 to A.D. 775 was Vallabi. From the viewpoint of reputation and educational Importance, Vallabi was considered as the rival of Nalanda. When Huen-Tsang visited this centre of learning, there existed several Viharas and monasteries. But I-Tsang had found Vallabi in the western side of Indian as glorious as Nalanda and students from different parts of the country were coming there for education.