MONASTERIES
To begin with, both Jaina and Buddhist monks went from place to place throughout the year, teaching people. The only time they stayed in one place was during the rainy season, when it was very difficult to travel. Then, their supporters built temporary shelters for them in gardens, or they lived in natural caves in hilly areas. As time went on, many supporters of the monks and nuns, and they themselves, felt the need for more permanent shelters and so monasteries were built. These were known as viharas. The earliest viharas were made of wood, and then of brick. Some were even in caves that were dug out in hills, especially in western India.
Very often, the land on which the vihara was built was donated by a rich merchant or a landowner, or the king. The local people came with gifts of food, clothing and medicines for the monks and nuns. In return, they taught the people. Over the centuries, Buddhism spread to many parts of the subcontinent and beyond. You will learn more about this in Chapter 9(TRADERS, KINGS AND PILGRIMS).
Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK
THE SYSTEM OF ASHRAMAS
Around the time when Jainism and Buddhism were becoming popular,brahmins developed the system of ashramas.
Here, the word ashrama does not mean a place where people live and meditate.
It is used instead of a stage of life.
Four ashramas were recognised: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa.
Brahmin, kshatriya, and vaishya men were expected to lead simple lives and study the Vedas during the early years of their life (brahmacharya).
Then they had to marry and live as householders (grihastha). Then they had to live in the forest and meditate (vanaprastha). Finally, they had to give up everything and become sannyasins.
The system of ashramas allowed men to spend some part of their lives in meditation. Generally, women were not allowed to study the Vedas, and they had to follow the ashramas chosen by their husbands.
Activity:
In what way was the system of ashramas different from life in the sangha?
What are the varnas mentioned here? Were all four varnas allowed to participate in the system of ashramas?
Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK