AUGUSTINE
THOTTAKARA
Centre
for Study of World Religions, Bangalore
Paper
Title: “The Process of Vidyā-dāna: The Discipline Proposed by the Upanisads.”
Abstract
Vidya,
knowledge and wisdom, for the ancient Indians, was most precious treasure that
a human can possess. To understand the system and process of education of
ancient India, we need to refer to the four castes (varṇa), the four states of life (asrama) and four values/goals of life (puruşārtha). The
aim of education is vision (darśana). A Meaningful paradigm of Vidyā-dāna and Vidya-abhyāsa,
teaching and learning, is Darśana
through śravana, manana and nididhyāsana, that is, listening,
reflection and contemplation. These three eminent means proposed by the
Upanishad, and propagated by Sri Sankara later, constitute a model for Indian
way of teaching, learning and philosophizing.
Ultimately, philosophical conclusions should become objects of prayer, nididhyāsana, and they should have
bearing to actually lived life.
A similar categorization
can be seen in the content and objective of knowledge (vidyā). Mundaka Upanisad
I.1.4-6 states: “There are two kinds of
knowledge to be acquired, as indeed the knowers of Brahman of old have said,
namely, the lower knowledge and higher knowledge. Of these the lower knowledge consists of the
wisdom of Rgveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda,
Atharvaveda, science of phonetics, laws of rituals, grammar, etymology,
poetical metrics and astronomy. And the
higher knowledge is that by which the Imperishable is realized.
Philosophy is not only a view of life,
but also a way of life. Philosophizing
is an intellectual activity, but, being darśana,
it is also a spiritual act. Philosophy
should integrate intellect, mind, heart and the Other-oriented activity. Philosopher is not only a hunter of truth
with the arrow of reason, but also a seeker and lover of truth and an aspirant
of spiritual eminence. Philosophy is
love of wisdom, and wisdom of love.
Prof.
Dr. Augustine Thottakara, CMI, did his doctoral studies at Vienna University,
Austria, and his post-doctoral research at Lancaster University, UK. He holds
the Indian traditional degrees Vidvan in Vedanta (Bangalore), and Sastri in
Sanskrit (Mumbai). He has served as the Chancellor of Christ University, Dean
of the Faculty of Philosophy, Director of the International Centre for Indian
and Inter-religous Studies, Rome and the Chief Editor of the Journal of Dharma.