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Showing posts from July 9, 2007

#055, Discussion on evolution of monasteries in India

EVOLUTION OF MAT`HAS IN INDIA. COMMENT ABOUT: (MAT`HADHIPATIs) AND PARIVRAJAKAS A Mat`ha in Sanskrit means a monastery or a home for monks. In ancient Hinduism ascetics and sages were householders living in cottages. They married, and lived in their homes with sons and daughters. In ancient Hinduism, there is no evidence of monastery life. The life in monasteries seems to have developed in response to the competition from Buddhism. According to historians, the epics Raamaayan`a, Mahaa Bhaarata and Mahaa Bhaagavata took their form during the period of Guptas. In Ramayan`a, the Canto of Forest, there is a reference of Ravan`a taking the guise of a monk wearing ochre robes, when he came to Rama's cottage to abduct Sita. Except that there is no mention of monasteries in pre-Buddha Hinduism. The tradition of monasteries seems to have developed from the days of Sankaraacaarya, Raamanujaacaarya and Madhvaacaarya i.e. from the 8th Century A.D. The appointment of Heads to the Sringe