Zoology

Nalanda India. Nalanda monastery, Buddhist university of ancient India

Ruins of the ancient Nalanda monastery- historical, located in the state of Bihar near Rajgir and included in. The most famous of the ancient Indian universities was located here. Nalanda was a thriving city during the time of the Buddha. He visited him during his missionary journeys. In Nalanda, the Buddha stayed with his disciples at the Ambawana Mango Grove. We have a wealth of information about Nalanda University thanks to the writings of Xuan Zan and Fa Xian, who left notes of their travels and their time at the university.

The first monastery in Nalanda was built by King Kumara Gupta (415-455 AD). This was a seminary for the training of Buddhist monks. It was located near the city and for this reason was chosen by the monks as an ideal center for Buddhist studies. As a result of the growth and expansion of this seminary, the University of Nalanda was born. King Buddha Gupta (455-467 AD), King Jatagatha Gupta (467-500 AD), King Baladitya (500-525 AD) and Vijra (525) contributed to the expansion of the university in terms of additional facilities. King Baladitya erected a sanctuary 300 feet high. His son Vijra built the fifth monastery. King Harsha Siladitya built the sixth monastery and surrounded the university with nine high walls.

In the tenth century, when Xuan Zan came to the university, there were 10,000 students. They all came here from different parts India and other countries. It was the leading Indian university. Its rector was considered the most prominent Buddhist scholar in India, and during the residence of Xuan Zan, such was Silabhadra Maha Thera. At that time, there were 10,000 students, 1,510 teachers and 1,500 workers. The disciples came from Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Sumatra, Java, Sri Lanka.

The university was supported by the income of seven villages under the decree of the king. Studying Mahayana Buddhism was a must. Also, the student could choose to study the doctrines of the other 18 Buddhist Hinayana schools, as well as secular subjects: science, medicine, astrology, visual arts, literature, commerce, government, and so on. Six systems of Hindu philosophy were also taught. In fact tall building there was an observatory. Lectures, debates and discussions were part of the university course of study. Xuan Zan wrote that 100 lectures were given every day. An exemplary discipline reigned at the University.

More foreigners came to India in the following centuries. Having received a comprehensive education here, having collected hundreds of the most valuable manuscripts, they returned to their homeland, where they founded Buddhist communities, taught Sanskrit to their compatriots and translated works of Indian literature into their languages. This is how Indian culture seeped into the most remote countries of Asia.

The university covered an area of 30 acres. There were three large libraries: Ratna Sagara, Ratna Nidi, Ratna Ranjana, one of which was nine stories high. Nalanda is known for the greatest Buddhist thinkers, among whom are Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Dharmapala, Silabhadra, Santarakshita, Kamalasela, Bhavivek, Dignaga, Dharmakirti. Their work is represented by fourteen Tibetan and Chinese translations. The originals, however, fell into oblivion when Muslim invaders led by Bhaktiar Khilji burned the university and beheaded the monks in 1037. Up to this point, Nalanda flourished for a thousand years, was a storehouse of wisdom and learning, one of a kind in the entire world.

The ruins and site of Nalanda are protected by the Indian government. In 1958, Indian President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the Nava Nalanda Viharaya near the site of the ancient university.

Now almost all the ruins are put in order, and the territory of the complex itself is carefully groomed and in some places looks like a huge flower garden, with clean paths, benches, flower beds.

Unfortunately, we can only see the ruins of the monastery. But they are also striking in their scale. According to archaeologists, most of the buildings are still hidden underground. But since even what is already open to the eye covers an area of one and a half hundred thousand square meters, there is no doubt that the university was of impressive size.

On the site of today's ruins, there were once several temples, seven monasteries, numerous buildings for classes (according to some estimates, there were several hundred), large auditoriums, hostels. In addition, of course, there were other buildings here - it was whole city, bounded by walls, and in it was everything that was necessary for a normal life (and there were about ten thousand people living in Nalanda) and excellent learning.

Even the ruins of monasteries allow you to see a lot - lecture halls, student rooms, rooms for cooking, you can even see how the ventilation and sewerage system was arranged. The wide foundation, the preserved walls of the walls make it possible to imagine the size of the buildings.

Numerous rooms for the clergyman and mentors, grouped around the courtyards, were distinguished by the richness of decoration: painted cornices, carved balustrades, red pillars covered with carvings and paintings, bright colored tiles on the roofs glittered and shimmered in thousands of shades.

Individual buildings were over 60 m, and in one of them - a five-story one - there was a copper statue 24 m high. The roofs were covered, possibly with gilded copper or colored tiles. In the interior decoration, precious stones and gems were used. Wooden columns and beams were brightly colored (often red). The tallest building in Nalanda, reaching a height of about 90 m, was one of the largest structures of its era.

The entire campus was walled with corner towers and several gates. The towers were adapted for astronomical observations... At the gate, every visitor could read the names of the illustrious teachers of Nalanda, and thus, from the very beginning, he was imbued with respect for this temple of science.

The Shariputra stupa, with external staircases, stucco images of the Buddha on the walls, with many small stupas nearby, has been best preserved to our time. Obviously, other temples were equally richly decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs.

Nalanda Mahavihara

Nalanda - Buddhist university and monastery complex that existed in V-XII centuries in northern India, one of the largest educational centers of its time, in which many outstanding Buddhist philosophers from different countries worked, taught and studied, and where many pilgrims came. Currently, the ruins of Nalanda are a historical monument in the Indian province of Bihar, 90 km southeast of Patna, the ancient capital of India.

The university was founded in the first third of the 5th century. The heyday of Nalanda came during the reign of the Gupta dynasty, the rulers of Pal who replaced the Guptas continued to patronize this institution.

The famous Chinese Buddhist scholar and traveler of the 6th century Xuanzang wrote about Nalanda. A thousand professors taught there, ten thousand students studied, the university owned nine-storey buildings, 6 temples and 7 monasteries, the library kept 9 million books. According to Xuanzang, there was an early semblance of entrance examinations at the university: gatekeepers who arrived to participate in discussions were asked difficult questions, so that those who could not give an answer abandoned the idea of entering.

In 1193, the university was destroyed as a result of the invasion of the Turkic invading army led by the Muslim fanatic Bakhtiyar Khalji, who imposed Islam by force of arms. Thousands of monks were burned alive or beheaded, the richest library in Nalanda was burned. This event dealt a big blow to Buddhism in India, which then fell into decay. Many Buddhist monks fleeing persecution fled to Nepal and Tibet.

In 1351 in Tibet opened The educational center under the same name.

In the 9th-12th centuries, thanks to the activities of teachers from Nalanda, the Tibetan Buddhist tradition was formed. Through the efforts of the philosophers Nalanda, the doctrines of Madhyamaka and Yogacara were formulated in the form in which they were later transferred to Tibet.

The University of Nalanda housed book correspondence workshops, as well as workshops for the production of Buddhist painting and bronze sculpture. In all likelihood, Vajrayan canons of the depiction of Buddhist deities were developed in Nalanda, which were later transferred to the art of Nepal and Tibet together with the monks who fled from the Islamic iconoclasts.

Partially preserved ruins remain on the site of the university. The modern Theravada center is nearby. The excavated archaeological site covers an area of about 150,000 m², but a significant part of the excavation has not yet been carried out. The nearby museum contains manuscripts found during excavations.

Since 2006, the revival of Nalanda University under the name of Nalanda International University has been planned by Buddhists from India and other countries.

Nalanda, like Rome, was not built immediately. It took several centuries for it to become famous and spread its civilized influence not only throughout the country, but also to such distant lands as Japan, Java, Korea, China or Tibet.

Legend has it that the Pavarika mango grove in Bihar was consecrated by Gautam Buddha himself. And later, King Ashoka built a Vihara (monastery) here and thousands of scientists got the opportunity to study science in countless halls and temples.

It is believed that by the name of these monasteries, the entire region, and then the Indian state, began to be called Bihar. Now, thanks to its rich heritage, Nalanda University has become an international center for education and culture. The pre-Buddhist heritage consisted of the ancient knowledge of the Vedas and the Puranas, the Buddhist heritage of the vaults of the Pitaka, Dhammapada, Abhidhamma with commentaries by such ancient thinkers as Nagarjuna and Vasibundu, who brought together and cut scattered knowledge.

Nalanda has always been a university with dormitories, what is now commonly called a campus. Now, at the time of entrance exams, the following is perceived as especially interesting. Since ancient times, the "staff" of the University of Nalanda included "Gatekeepers or Gatekeepers" - scientists of a very high rank, who know their subject well and were selected from among the best in the country in order to examine applicants immediately upon arrival. The "entrance" exam was very tough. Only seven or eight scientists out of every ten could pass it successfully. Therefore, those who were not well versed in the sciences came to the gates of Nalanda again and again - until the level of their training suited the Gatekeepers. And only their own merits, but not wealth or ranks, could be the criterion for this. There are records that even scholars from families of rulers were refused, although Nalanda's expenses were covered by royal grants (albeit secured by taxes levied on the villagers; there is evidence that such fees from several villages were granted to Nalanda for the maintenance and management of her hostels temples and monasteries). Many Chinese scholars were trained in Nalanda, leaving behind memoirs that can be used to reproduce the academic life of the university.

For example, according to E-Sing, the minimum age for an applicant was years. And those who have already completed their studies at any other university were admitted here in order to get even more high knowledge... Thus, the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, who arrived in Nalanda during the time of the "good king Harsh", testifies that "scholars from different cities, striving to be recognized in discussions, came here in great numbers to dispel their doubts." The gatekeepers of Nalanda were in fact the keepers of India's treasury of knowledge. At the same time, anyone wishing to take part in an open discussion on any issue related to philosophy, religion, jurisprudence, or simply any life situations was welcomed.

Studying in the greatest center of knowledge was very prestigious. In addition, people from the most distant lands were attracted here by the multidisciplinary approach to learning. True, theology was compulsory subject but other disciplines, including medicine, were taught with equal diligence. Grammar and phonetics, etymology, history and yoga were all included in the schedule. Even ... archery was taught.

The aforementioned Hieun Tsang traveled to India through the Gobi Desert and the Himalayas. He remained at the university for 17 years: first as a student, then as a professor under the head of Shilabhadra. At Nalanda, he was greeted at the gate by a thousand lamps, for rumors of his erudition and reputation reached the university before he himself. Here he studied to get a master's degree in jurisprudence, and then became vice-director of the entire huge university. The applicant very quickly became a student who was entrusted with deep research requiring long and dangerous travel.

According to Tsang's descriptions, the daily routine in Nalanda was full of various rituals. The morning began with a call for ablution. It seems that taking a bath was a must for everyone. Moreover, the morning ablution was prescribed to be performed by everyone at the hour specially allotted for him. This was followed by the shower of the sacred image of Buddha with flower petals, accompanied by recitation and singing of hymns. After a meager breakfast, everyone gathered in the discussion rooms and training sessions... After lunch, another ritual took place - the priests gathered in the main cell of the monastery and sang prayers to the glory of Buddha. And in hundreds of pulpits for prayer, students had to spend at least a few minutes every day. In the evenings it was time for walks. The night was meant to be rest.

Knowledge of Sanskrit was required. It included not only perfect mastery of the grammar of this proto-language, but also correct pronunciation... Highly great importance at the university, discussions were given that could last up to a day. Scientists have always welcomed them, because they were devoted to their favorite sciences, and in the discussions there was an active enrichment of intellects and what is now called "brainstorming".

Tsang was impressed by Nalanda's discipline. Over the 700 years of the university's existence (by the time it entered it), not a single case of a strike or any unrest had been recorded, with the exception of scholarly disputes. True, in those of the latter, which dealt with important principles, battles were "not for life, but for death." There were no compulsory written works, although rewriting of handwritten texts was common. Hiuen Tsang and I-Sing brought a huge load of such books to China from Nalanda.

No student fees were charged for food, clothing and accommodation. There were no punishments. More precisely. Each guilty person, as a rule, immediately realized his own offense and punished himself. And the relationship between teacher and student was similar to that between father and son. The greatest joy and the highest award it became for the teacher if the student overshadowed his mentor. Students and professors wore the same yellow robes "wrapped around the waist and back, and tied at the waist; underwear wrapped around the waist, went down below the knee." The food was very basic — food delivered by two hundred homeowners from different villages.

But sports also had a place within the walls of the university. Students were allowed to wrestle, boxing, various games (but not dice, despite the fact that such entertainment was very popular in Indian society at that time).

Unfortunately, Nalanda's blessed centuries-old life was once abruptly cut short. The conquerors destroyed the City of Knowledge in a few hours. Legend has it that several monks rushed at the feet of the enemies, trying to save at least Ratnavodhi - the world famous library. However, they themselves were thrown into the fire along with the books. The survivors fled. So only the memory of Nalanda and her history remained, which was later presented to Europeans, first by Hamilton and then by Alexander Cunningham.

The twentieth century has arrived. In 1915, the first excavations were organized within the ancient university. They lasted for about twenty years. And now, again, scientists are gathering in the city of Nav, located near ancient Nalanda - to restore the glory of this greatest center knowledge.

Nalanda is a place located near Rajgir. The most famous of the ancient Indian universities was located here. Nalanda was a thriving city during the time of the Buddha. He visited him during his missionary journeys. In Nalanda, the Buddha stayed with his disciples at the Ambawana Mango Grove. We have a wealth of information about Nalanda University thanks to the writings of Xuan Zan and Fa Xian, who left notes of their travels and their time at the university.

In the tenth century, when Xuan Zan came to the university, there were 10,000 students. They all came here from various parts of India and other countries. It was the leading Indian university. Its rector was considered the most prominent Buddhist scholar in India, and during the residence of Xuan Zan, such was Silabhadra Maha Thera. At that time, there were 10,000 students, 1,510 teachers and 1,500 workers. The disciples came from Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Sumatra, Java, Sri Lanka.

Those who passed the oral exam were allowed to study at the university. He was received in the lobby by a professor named Dvara Pandita. It was necessary to know Sanskrit well, since the training was carried out in it. All Chinese monks wishing to pursue higher education in India first went to Java to hone their skills in Sanskrit. Xuan Zan wrote that only 20% of foreign students took difficult exams. Among Indians, the percentage was higher - 30%. Thus, the standard requirements were high. The passing of the exams was not influenced by caste, worldview, or nationality - in full agreement with the Buddhist approach. There were no correspondence students at the university. The university was supported by the income of seven villages under the decree of the king. Studying Mahayana Buddhism was a must. Also, the student could choose to study the doctrines of the other 18 Buddhist Hinayana schools, as well as secular subjects: science, medicine, astrology, visual arts, literature, commerce, government, and so on. Six systems of Hindu philosophy were also taught. There was an observatory on the tallest building. Lectures, debates and discussions were part of the university course of study. Xuan Zan wrote that 100 lectures were given every day. An exemplary discipline reigned at the University.

Nalanda played an important role in promoting Buddhism and spreading Indian culture abroad, especially in China and Tibet. It is no exaggeration to say that during its heyday (VII-X centuries), Nalanda was one of the largest Asian centers of education and science. Buddhist scholars came to India from Central Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Indochina, Indonesia, Ceylon, wishing to complete their education under the guidance of renowned teachers. So we learn from the I Ching that during the forty years between Xuan Zang's trip and his own, 56 scientists from East Asia visited India and most of them studied in Nalanda. More foreigners came to India in the following centuries. Having received a comprehensive education here, having collected hundreds of valuable manuscripts, they returned to their homeland, where they founded Buddhist communities, taught Sanskrit to their compatriots and translated works of Indian literature into their languages. This is how Indian culture seeped into the most remote countries of Asia.

The ruins and site of Nalanda are protected by the Indian government. In 1958, Indian President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the Nava Nalanda Viharaya near the site of the ancient university.

Now almost all the ruins are put in order, and the territory of the complex itself is carefully groomed and in some places looks like a huge flower garden, with clean paths, benches, flower beds.

On the site of today's ruins, there were once several temples, seven monasteries, numerous buildings for classes (according to some estimates, there were several hundred), large auditoriums, hostels. In addition, of course, there were other buildings here - it was a whole city, bounded by walls, and it had everything that was necessary for a normal life (and about ten thousand people lived in Nalanda) and excellent education.

In the center of the complex was a large educational institution with eight detached spacious halls adjoining it. Fabulously beautiful pavilions were crowned by magnificent, brightly colored multi-storey buildings. Among them, the observatory was distinguished, which, according to Xuan Zang, touched the clouds with its tower top. Numerous rooms for the clergyman and mentors, grouped around the courtyards, were distinguished by the richness of decoration: painted cornices, carved balustrades, red pillars covered with carvings and paintings, bright colored tiles on the roofs glittered and shimmered in thousands of shades.

The entire campus was walled with corner towers and several gates. The towers were adapted for astronomical observations. At the gate, every visitor could read the names of the illustrious teachers of Nalanda, and thus, from the very beginning, he was imbued with respect for this temple of science.

The Buddha's closest disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyana, were from Rajgir, a village near Nalanda. It was to Rajigir that Shariputra returned to read his last sermons before leaving for parinirvana.

One of the Jatakas describes his departure as follows: “Having learned about the departure of Shariputra to nirvana, the lord of the gods Indra, surrounded by many hundreds of thousands of deities, who took flowers, incense and other objects of sacrifice, headed in the direction [where this event took place]. The gods crowded tightly in the upper sky, their tears poured in rain, and the fallen flowers covered the ground up to their knees.

All the inhabitants of the city and its environs, having learned that Shariputra had passed to nirvana, took with them the objects necessary for the sacrifice - animal and vegetable oil, incense, flowers, arrived at the place and, seized with intolerable sorrow, made the sacrifice.

Then the lord of the gods Indra gave Vishvakarma the following order: “Prepare a chariot decorated with many jewels! Put the body of Shariputra on it. " After that, the gods, nagas, yakshas, the king, dignitaries, the entire population of the country, groaning loudly, delivered [the remains of Shariputra] to a calm and blissful place. " So the body of Shariputra was transferred to Nalanda, where the gods themselves performed farewell rituals over him. A stupa was built over the remains of Shariputra by Anathapindada.

After wandering around the ruins of the monastery, you can feel the spirit of knowledge soaring. Buddhism is a teaching tradition. Which makes it unique in its own way. Buddha is an enlightened being, about whom we can say that he is an ideal scientist, one who has come to the final and perfect comprehension of the nature of reality. And this realization was enough for Buddha to free himself from suffering. Because he realized that reality itself gives us the opportunity to free ourselves from suffering if we understand its nature. It was the idea of deep knowledge of reality that lay at the basis of university education in Nalanda. Education - the goal of which was to achieve awakening. Now this fertile place, which has carried through the centuries the spirit of scientific wisdom, a state of deep concentration and peace, is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world.

NS It is well known that the flourishing of Buddhism in India marked the beginning of a golden age for Indian culture and civilization. The influence of Buddhism encompassed all aspects of Indian civilization. This is very different from what happened to the Roman Empire in Europe with the rise of Christianity. With the rise of the power of Christianity, Europe entered the dark ages. During this period, every development achieved by the Greeks and Romans came to stagnation. Schools and philosophical centers were closed. Under the leadership of the prelate, the Christian mob burned down the famous Alexandrian library. The scientist, philosopher and teacher Hypatia was dragged into the church and tore the flesh from her body alive. As a result of these atrocities, Europe plunged into the darkness of ignorance and poverty for a thousand years. The dark ages of European history were in fact the golden age of the Christian Church, since it was at this time that she converted the barbarians to her faith. The great philosophers and scientists of Europe, who left their mark on human civilization, were pre-Christian pagans who lived before the heyday of Christianity: Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Seneca, Pliny and others. The Christian era is characterized by the absence of such people. In the dark ages, illiteracy and religious intolerance prevailed.

At the end of this period, Muslims conquered parts of the Roman Empire and settled in Spain, Portugal and parts of France. They introduced the teachings of the Greeks and Romans, and brought in the knowledge they gathered through their connections with India. This led to the reforms of Martin Luther, which shook the authority of the Catholic Church. The subsequent liberal policy of Protestants led to the Renaissance, after which the Europeans broke the authority of the Church, and progress began in European civilization.

In contrast to all this, the rise of Buddhism in India led to the emergence of numerous centers of learning that did not exist before. Buddhist monks could choose either a life of meditation in the forest, or a life devoted to teaching, teaching, spreading the Dhamma, and as a result of such monastic activities, places were created where one could receive education. Such centers of monastic education (pyrivens) gradually developed, and some of them turned into full-fledged universities. As a result, six large universities arose in Buddhist India, which gained immense fame:

1. Nalanda
2. Vikramasila
3. Odantapuri
4. Jagaddala
5. Somapura
6. Vallabhi

Nalanda University

Nalanda is the most famous of the ancient Indian universities. The Indian Department of Archeology has discovered the site and ruins of Nalanda University. He was in the present state of Bihar, on the land of the ancient kingdom of Magadha. Magadha is known as the cradle of Buddhism. Bihar got this name because of a large number Vihar or Buddhist monasteries. Nalanda was a thriving city during the time of the Buddha. He visited him during his missionary journeys. In Nalanda, the Buddha stayed with his disciples at the Ambawana Mango Grove. Nalanda is also known as hometown Ven. Sariputta. King Ashoka erected a stupa on the site where he was cremated.

We have extensive knowledge of Nalanda University thanks to Xuanzan, an eminent Chinese scholar who came here to study during the reign of Harsha-Siladitya. Returning to China, he wrote the famous work "Ta-Tang-Si-Yu-Ki" about Buddhist travels in the Western world. This work was translated into English by Samuel Beale, a British scholar, for a long time former ambassador in China.

European archaeologists call this work a treasure trove of accurate information. There they found invaluable information that helped to discover the ancient shrines of Buddhist India. Indians and Indian scientists did not know anything about these places and could not help archaeologists in any way. Yi Qin (675-685) was another Chinese monk who came to India and studied at Nalanda. Like Tsan, he left notes of his travels, including Nalanda and his stay there. At the time of Fa Khion's visit, Nalanda was an ordinary Buddhist monastery. The Tibetan historian Lama Taranata also mentions Nalanda in his writings.

The first monastery in Nalanda was built by King Kumara Gupta (415-455 AD). This was a seminary for the training of Buddhist monks. It was located near the city and for this reason was chosen by the monks as an ideal center for Buddhist studies. As a result of the growth and expansion of this seminary, the University of Nalanda was born. King Buddha Gupta (455-467 AD), King Jatagatha Gupta (467-500 AD), King Baladitya (500-525 AD) and Vijra (525) contributed to the expansion of the university in terms of additional facilities. King Baladitya built a sanctuary 300 feet high. His son Vijra built the fifth monastery. King Harsha Siladitya built the sixth monastery and surrounded the university with nine high walls.

In the tenth century, when Xuanzan arrived, it had a population of 10,000 students. They all came here from various parts of India and other countries. It was the leading Indian university. Its rector was considered the most prominent Buddhist scholar in India, and during the residence of Xuanzan, such was Silabhadra Maha Thera. At that time, there were 10,000 students, 1,510 teachers and 1,500 workers. The disciples came from Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Sumatra, Java, Sri Lanka.

Admission to the university was carried out through oral examination... This was done in the lobby by a professor named Dvara Pandita. It was necessary to know Sanskrit well, since the training was carried out in it. All Chinese monks wishing to pursue higher education in India first went to Java to hone their skills in Sanskrit. Xuanzan wrote that only 20% of foreign students took difficult exams. Among Indians, the percentage was higher - 30%. Thus, the standard requirements were high. The passing of the exams was not influenced by caste, worldview, or nationality - in full agreement with the Buddhist approach. There were no correspondence students at the university. The university was supported by the income of seven villages under the decree of the king. Studying Mahayana Buddhism was a must. Also, the student could choose to study the doctrines of the other 18 Buddhist Hinayana schools, as well as secular subjects: science, medicine, astrology, visual arts, literature, commerce, government, and so on. Six systems of Hindu philosophy were also taught. There was an observatory on the tallest building. Lectures, debates and discussions were part of the university course of study. Xuanzan wrote that 100 lectures were given every day. An exemplary discipline reigned at the University.

Bhaktiar Khilji invaded Magadha and attacked Nalanda just as the monks were about to dine. This is supported by archaeological evidence, which showed that the monks left their food in great haste. The same fact is confirmed by the fact that charred rice remained in the granaries. The ruins and site of Nalanda are protected by the Indian government. In 1958, Indian President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the Nava Nalanda Viharaya near the site of the ancient university. Tripitaka Master Ven. Jagadish Kashyap was appointed head of this institution. The Dalai Lama gave the ashes of Nalanda's famous disciple Xuanzan to the Indian government. The Chinese government sponsored the construction of a mausoleum to preserve these relics. Muslims brought the very idea of a university to the West, and thus their own universities appeared in the Western world.

Vikramasil University

It is believed that Vikramasila was located on the banks of the Ganges River near the northern part of Magadha. Although the site could not be found before, in 1980 the Indian newspaper Seatchlight reported the discovery of the ruins of Vikramasila by Dr. BS. Varmoy, Chief Archaeologist for the Vikramasila Discovery Project.

According to this information, Vikramasila was located in the territory of the present village of Antichak, Kahalagon, in Bagalpur district. Vikramasila was the same institution as Nalanda and was founded by a monk named Kamapala under the patronage of King Dharmapala (770-810 AD), who provided the land. The later king, Yasapala, also patronized the university, making generous gifts in the form of land grants. During the reign of the kings of Pala, the university caught up with Nalanda and even surpassed him in some ways.

In the center of the university was the main lecture hall. It was called Vidyagriha. There were six entrances to this building. Each entrance was located next to one of the monasteries, in which students and about 150 teachers lived. Like Nalanda, Vikramasila University was also surrounded by high walls. The entrance examinations were taken by six Dvara Pandit professors. Here also stuck high standards... 108 professors were involved in teaching and administrative affairs. Tantric Buddhism was preferred.

The most famous scholar of Vikramasila was Dipankara Sri Gnana, also known as Atisha (960-1055). He was widely recognized as a Buddhist preacher in Tibet and is held in high esteem by the Tibetans. While in Vikramasila, he was invited to teach and spread Buddhism in Tibet. He postponed this trip for a while to complete his work at Vikramasila, and then hit the road in 1038 to establish Buddhist teaching in the mountainous land.

During the life of Sri Gnana, Vikramasila achieved highest glory and greatness. The university was run by a professorship that dealt with education, administration, discipline and entrance examinations. The university was opened in 800 and existed until it was destroyed by Muslim invaders.

Odantapuri University

Odantapuri was considered the second oldest Buddhist university in India. It was located in Magadha, six miles from Nalanda. Acharya Sri Ganga from Vikramasila studied here. Later he transferred to Odantapuri University, the foundation and maintenance of which was assisted by King Gopala (660-705). According to Tibetan sources, 12,000 students studied here. However, our knowledge of this university is scarce and other details are unknown. Like the rest of the universities, this one also fell at the hands of the Muslim invaders. It is believed that they mistook the high walls of the university for fortresses, and the monks were considered shaven-headed idolatrous Brahmins.

Jagaddal University

There is evidence that Jagaddalu University was founded by King Ramapala (1077-1129). This university was the greatest building ever accomplished by the kings of Pala. Tantric Buddhism was studied and disseminated here. The techniques, practices and traditions of Nalanda were used. When Nalanda, Vikramasila and Odantapuri lay in ruins due to the Muslim invasion, Buddhist teacher Sakya Sri Bhadra joined Jagaddala University. His student Danasila is believed to have translated ten books into Tibetan. Sakya Sri Bhadra himself was responsible for the spread of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. He lived in Jagaddal for seventeen years. In 1027, the Muslims took over and destroyed this university as well.

Somapura University

Somapura University was located in eastern Pakistan. King Devapala (810-850) built the Dharmapala Vihara in Somapura. The ruins of this structure now cover an area of one square mile. There were large gates and buildings surrounded by a high wall. There were 177 cells for monks, in addition to sanctuaries and temples. Among the ruins, a dining room and a kitchen were discovered, as well as the remains of three-story buildings. The university flourished for 750 years and was abandoned after the Muslim invasion.

Vallabha University

This university achieved almost the same fame as Nalanda. The Maitraki kings, who ruled western India, erected the Vallabhi monastery in their capital. While Nalanda was the center of Mahayana Buddhism, Vallabhi gained fame as the University of Hinayana Buddhism. The Maitraki kings generously sponsored the maintenance of their university. They in every possible way encouraged and promoted Buddhist education in this educational institution... In the 7th century, Vallabhi became as prosperous and famous as Nalanda. Xuanzan attended this university and wrote in his notes:

“Vallabhi is densely populated. The country is rich and prosperous. There are about a hundred of the richest families here. Many imported luxury goods can be seen in the city. There are about 100 monasteries and 6,000 monks here. Most of them belong to the Summit school. There are also many Hindu temples and Hindu populations. During his wanderings, Buddha visited these lands. The places he visited are marked with stupas that King Ashoka built.

There are about 100 temples and 6,000 monks studying at Vallabha University. They do not believe that the Abhidharma is the teaching of the Buddha. They adhere to the doctrine of antarabhava and are adherents of the Puggalavada tradition, which deny those teachings of the Abhidharma that are not consistent with the teachings of the sutras. "

Yi Qin wrote that in Vallabhi they study foreign students... They came here from many different regions - far and near - and thanks to these facts we know that Nalanda and Vallabhi were recognized centers of learning in different countries... There was a large library, supported by a fund approved by the king, as evidenced in the form of an inscription from the king Guhasena. At Vallabha University, the doctrine of the Summit was favored. The course included a comparative analysis of religions. Along with this, six systems of Hindu philosophy, philosophy of other schools of Buddhism, politics, jurisprudence, agronomy, and economics were also taught.

Yi Qin noted that university graduates demonstrated their skills in the presence of representatives royal power, nobility and other famous people. Elders Gunamoti and Sthiramatik studied in Nalanda and taught for a long time at Vallabha University. It is believed that they were the founders of this university. For this reason, the education and work system was copied from Nalanda. Vallabha University flourished from 475 to 1200. It suffered the same fate as all other universities - it was destroyed by Muslims.