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Describe the history of Nalanda University and write about its present condition too.
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Answers
The Nalanda Mahavihara (ancient Nalanda University) had been a great seat of learning for about eight hundred years (from 5th century to 13th century A. D.). At the very beginning it was a monastic institution accommodating thousands of travelling monks coming from different regions. During their stay at Nalanda monastery the Buddha’s Dhamma and Vinaya based on ‘Pariyatti’ and ‘Patipatti-dhammasasanam’ etc. senior monks gave their sermons while the junior monks attended. This was the beginning of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. This monastic establishment developed and ultimately it became the foremost University unparalleled in the world. This reputation was so furthered that it came to be known as the ‘University of Universities.”
Actually the Nalanda Mahavihara had not only been a great seat of learning. But it also became a great centre of culture and civilization. This was a fact that Buddhism was studied here in all its branches. But the comparative study of non-Buddhism thoughts and culture too had been studied here thoroughly. Thus it became a centre not only for Buddhist culture, but also of the Indian culture.
The name and fame of this University spread throughout Asia. Scholars from different parts of Asia specially from China, Tibet, Korea, Mangolia, Bhutan, Indonesia, Central Asia and the like came here for studying.
Gradually there was exchange of scholars between several countries. Buddhist monks from Nalanda went to Korea, China and Tibet. Tibetan scholars too came to Nalanda to enhance their knowledge of Buddhism as well as Indian culture. Thus, the monk-scholars of Nalanda Mahavihara served as the apostles.
Geographically speaking, Nalanda can be spotted on tourist map of India as one of the best archaeological sites that we Indians can be proud of. The ruins of famed University were found in Bargaon situated near the Nalanda Railway Station of Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir branch line of the Eastern Railway. If one goes to trace the place today, one comes across partially excavated ruins of the ancient University of Nalanda with a number of villages around having variety of Buddha images in different forms.
Although, Francis Buchanan had earlier seen the place in 1812, but could not identify it. Regular excavations started in 1915 and with the untiring efforts on Pandit Hiranand Shastri for two decades, the mighty and majestic Nalanda resurfaced from the womb of earth. It is now locally known as “Khandahara” (ruins) of Nalanda.
Like Bodhisattva, Mahavihara was born and reborn with the word ‘NAVA’ preceding the nomenclature through the dedication of Ven. Bhikshu Jagadish Kashyap in 1951. It was nourished and looked after well by his worthy successors. Students and scholars from India and foreign countries are seen engrossed in their studies, meditation, and spiritual elevation. A good reference library, several important publication of the Institute, digital edition of the Tripitakas, indepth study of Buddhism with the help of original Parakrita Sanskrit texts, decipherment and study of old and obscure scripts are some of the commendable achievements of the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.
This resurgence is also marked by taking over the Xuanzang (popularly known as Huensang) Memorial which seems to vibrate with the saintly and scholarly sentiments of the great Chinese pilgrim. His contribution towards understanding and furtherance of Buddhist thought in the world is as meritorious as of any Indian Buddhist Acharya who went abroad with the torch of India’s great heritage. The great Nalanda is now transformed into an attractive tourist spot where an impressive life size bronze statue of Xuanzang has been installed in the beautiful su monks fell at the feet of the invader to spare at least its world-famed library, Ratnabodhi, he kicked them and had them thrown in the fire along with the books. The monks fled to foreign lands, citizens became denizens and Nalanda was relegated to a memory.
Thus ended the story of Nalanda till it was retold first by Hamilton and later by Alexander Cunningham. The excavation started in 1915 and continued for twenty years. Yet much remains to be done. At the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, which stands close to this ancient site, Sakyamuni seems to be beckon all men of knowledge to restore the glory of the great centre of culture and learning.
However, the Governments initiative has been already taken for the revival of Nalanda. Now the Parliament has passed Nalanda University Bill. Accordingly the Central and State Government started the work for making Nalanda an academic institution of world class.
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
The Nalanda University is an international university provided for Bhuddhist monks.
The ancient Nalanda university is believed to be founded by Gupta dynasty.
It is located in Bihar, 55 miles southeast of Patna.
Nalanda University was founded around the kingdom of Chandragupta one or Samudra Gupta .
The third and the very most disadvantaged attack came when the ancient Nalanda University was destroyed by the Muslim army led by the Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193.
Nalanda held some 10,000 students and 2000 teachers when it was visited by the Chinese scholar Xuanzang.