Nalanda – An Ancient Seat of Learning

According to Hsuan-Tsang and I-Tsing, besides religious studies, students were encouraged to study arts and sciences. The curriculum included five compulsory subjects: grammar, lexicography, medical science, handicrafts & region, and philosophy.

At its peak, Nalanda attracted students from different countries and fostered a cosmopolitan spirit. Its demise at the hands of Bakhtiyar Khilji is an equally infamous story.

The Stupa

The Stupa at Nalanda is a symbol of Buddha’s Enlightenment and one of the most important monuments of Indian Buddhism. A visit to the ruins of Nalanda is incomplete without a stop at this iconic shrine. The stela is built around a colossal copper-plated image of Buddha, and its inscriptions narrate the life events and the teachings of the Buddha.

The stupa is a revered object of worship in Buddhism, and its circumambulation is considered a sacred ritual. The stela symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment and his teachings, which are considered to be a path to spiritual enlightenment and happiness. The spa is also believed to contain the ashes of the Buddha.

During its heyday, the university had more than 10,000 students and 2,000 world-renowned teachers. It had a comprehensive curriculum that included a wide range of subjects besides Buddhism. The university was open to seekers of knowledge from all parts of the world, and it attracted scholars from countries like Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, and Indonesia.

As the academic tradition at Nalanda was renowned for its spirited debates, the school cultivated an environment of intellectualism and free inquiry. The scholarly debates were aimed at developing and refining the various philosophical schools. It was funded through public charity and donations, and the 8th-century inscription of Yasovarman reveals this. It was also a self-sufficient institution with a large property that helped meet its recurring expenses.

In keeping with the philosophy of Rig Veda, “Aa no Bhadra kratavo yantu Vishwanath” (Let noble thoughts come from all directions), the students and teachers were encouraged to bring their ideas and opinions to the discussions. The students and teachers were able to learn from each other, and this spirit of mutual learning has made the University an important center of knowledge and exchange.

The surviving remains of the Mahavihara at Nalanda present in the archaeological complex demonstrate architectural grandeur. The axial planning and layout, along with the temples and monasteries, have been beautifully carved out of the surrounding landscape. The ruins are a testament to the rich heritage of India and its Buddhist history. Visiting these ruins will take you back to a time when the center of learning was a hub of spiritual and intellectual activity.

The Library

The renowned Nalanda University attracted scholars, students, Buddhist monks & travelers from around the world, especially from China & Tibet, during its flourishing era of the Gupta Empire in India. The ruins of this prestigious seat of learning are still visited by a number of visitors a day. The Xuanzang Memorial, which is placed on the premises, seems to vibrate with the saintly & scholarly sentiments of this famous Chinese pilgrim of the Buddhist faith.

Nalanda was a university by design and had an expansive campus that included hostels, classrooms, lecture halls, and a massive library. The ruins reveal an architectural grandeur that speaks volumes about the holistic knowledge sought and imparted here. The University was an open forum that was inclusive in its approach and was receptive to the ideas and beliefs of all. The University also promoted liberalism and did not discriminate between religious & philosophical views. The kings of various dynasties extended their royal patronage to this center of learning and ensured its progress. This flourishing period of the University lasted from 5th to 12th century AD.

The massive library of the university was known as Dharma Gunj and had thousands of books. The ruins of this university are a testament to the fact that Indian culture was vibrant and cosmopolitan.

While it did not survive in our times, the pedagogical system of Nalanda had a lasting impact on later Mahaviharas. Universities across Asia also borrowed its system of education. In addition, a large number of scholars from this Mahavihara went on to spread the teachings of Buddhism in places like Ceylon, Tibet, China, and Japan by translating the leading works of Buddhist philosophy into foreign languages.

A visit to the ruins of this ancient seat of learning is truly a moving experience. The etymology of the name Nalanda suggests ‘never ending in giving’ and one can sense this spirit even today as people walk around the lost ruins. It is a fascinating concept to revive this ancient idea of a global university in the modern context, and with support from other Asian nations, it is possible that such an idea can actually be realized.

The Huan Tsang Memorial

The architectural grandeur of Nalanda speaks volumes about its illustrious past as one of the world’s finest universities. At its height, this renowned institution of learning attracted eminent scholars from across India and even from far-flung regions like China, Tibet, Korea, and Persia. Its academics not only excelled in the fields of philosophy, literature, astronomy, medicine, and politics but also mastered Indian linguistics and other trades like spinning, weaving, and painting.

The academic discipline of Nalanda was a happy and harmonious blend of philosophy, religion, and science. The university’s holistic notion of knowledge emphasizes the spiritual, moral, and intellectual development of its students, along with total physical growth. In line with the Rig Vedic mantra “Aa no bhadrah kratavo yantu vishwah” which means “Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions”, it was open to scholars from all parts of the world.

Scholars from China, Korea & Tibet studied & researched Buddhism & Indian Philosophy at Nalanda. They introduced & popularized Sanskrit & Buddhist literature in their countries.

As such, Nalanda possessed the most extensive library in Asia. It was so big that a student had to walk for miles to reach it. To preserve the vast collection of manuscripts at the university, citizens made copies of them & took them with them while traveling to other places. Several of these manuscripts have survived to date.

The Hiuen Tsang Memorial at Nalanda is a tribute to the great Chinese traveler whose contributions to Nalanda are immense. The hall inside is decorated with several paintings & episodes from the journeys of this famous Chinese pilgrim.

The library at Nalanda had a colophon, which it was stated was donated by the mother of Pandita Sri Asoka, who was the ruler of the Pala Empire around the eleventh century CE. The inscription reveals that it contained the Prajnaparamita Sutra and scenes from the life of Buddha. The folios have beautiful illustrations of the Maitreya Buddha and scenes from the Buddha’s teachings. It is a must-see for all history buffs. This relic of the ancient seat of learning is now a tourist attraction and is frequented by thousands of travelers from all over the world.

The Temples

The ruins at Nalanda, India, are an evocative reminder of one of the world’s most significant centers of learning. Here, one can see the magnificent architecture that once reflected the academic, moral, and spiritual values that permeated the culture of that time.

The temples were also hubs of intellectual discussion. Here, students sat around and discussed the philosophy and religious aspects of Buddhism with their fellow scholars from distant countries like China, Tibet, and Korea. They translated the leading works of Buddhist thought into foreign languages and were sent by kings to far-flung places to spread the teachings of Buddhism.

Various monasteries are scattered in the vicinity of the main temple. Some are located on the outskirts, while others are inside the complex. The earliest monasteries that were excavated date back to the Gupta period. According to traditional accounts, the Gupta monarch Kumaragupta I founded the university. He entrusted his royal patronage to the university for many years. However, the decline of the university began with the emergence of political instability in India during the 12th century A.D. This deprived the monasteries of their financial support, and invaders destroyed the libraries.

The surviving monasteries were built on a rectangular plan. Each monastery had a main hall with shrines and a number of rooms for students. The rooms were provided with beds, bookshelves, and niches for the idols. The walls of the rooms were decorated with carvings, murals, and sculptures.

In the heydays of the university, it had thousands of teachers and students. The teachers were ordained as monks, and the students were novices. They wore yellow robes wrapped around the loin and reaching down to below the knee. They had to contribute provisions from a hundred villages for their daily needs. The meals were simple, satvik (vegetarian) and nutritious.

Nalanda’s unparalleled distinction lies in the realization that it imparted not only knowledge but also moral, spiritual, and physical values to its students. This was achieved through the synthesis of religion and philosophy. The scholarly approach at the university was also very liberal and open to the study of all faiths and philosophies without any prejudices.