Nalanda was considered as the symbol and a reason for the most glorious period in our Indian history. Nalanda university attracted students and scholars from all over the world like Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Shri Lanka, south east Asia, central Asia and Persia. Nalanda was also known as one of the first residential universities of the world. it was also known as learning center of the world. Nalanda university was at its peak from 5th century to 12th century CE.
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Nalanda university dates back to lord buddha and Mahavira. it taught Mahayana Buddhism and Buddhist teachings was the central score of the Nalanda university to spread Buddhist philosophy. Nalanda also included other religious teachers teachings as well, like Jain Mahavira where teaching and religious activities of Jainism was common in Nalanda university. the Sariputra, one of the chief disciples of buddha was born near Nalanda area at the time of the 2500 centuries ago. Sariputra’s wisdom had a influence in the later parts of Nalanda university.
Gupta period (approximately between 4th to 6th century CE ) was one of the reason for establishing Nalanda university. by the support of kumara Gupta I, Nalanda became the symbol of the learning center of the world.
it had so many great teacher in nalanda university.
Even Prime minister modi himself said that Nalanda is a ancient seat of learning. he also said that even if you can burn the books of Nalanda, but you cant burn the knowledge the Nalanda has given us.
Nalanda had great ranges of education given on various subjects. the subjects include – geometry, algebra, astronomy, medicine, buddhist philosophy and logic.
some of the famous teachers were associated with Nalanda university, like
1. Xuanzang : he was a Chinese scholar who studied in Nalanda university in 7th century. he documented and stored the knowledge of Nalanda university, and even beautifully explained the Nalanda university at that time.
2. dhamakriti: he lived around 6 century CE. he was another great teacher of Nalanda university. he was a logician in Nalanda university.
like this there were many scholar and teachers who used to come to Nalanda university, from all over the word.
The Nalanda had a huge impact on east Asia. it helped spread Mahayana buddhism in across east Asia, like china, korea, Japan, Tibet.
the knowledge in Nalanda was structured and and taught in a organized manner. the Nalanda was in work for a continuous 800 years.
Jeffrey E. Garten, he is a dean of Yale school of management. he wrote in newyork times, that Nalanda was one of the first great universities in recorded history. it eas devoted to buddhist studies but it also trained students in fine arts, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, politics and the art of war. ( source: Jeffrey E. garten, new York times, December 9, 2006)
The university was in its times, the architectural as well as environmentally a masterpiece. it had number of things – eight separate compounds, 10 temples, meditation halls, classrooms, lakes and parks. it had a 9 floor library where monks meticulously copied books so that they could have their own collections.
you can reach this Nalanda site by various way, like by plane, or train. we as buddhist tours take people to the Nalanda university, including this to other sites where buddha used to travel. for more info you can visit on this website: https://ariyotours.com/buddhist-tour-packages-from-mumbai/
it also becomes more sacred because the birth of sariputra was born near Nalanda university. according to the buddhist philosopher Taranath, Ashoka worshipped the chaitya of sariputa and made a temple in his name. the Gupta empire flourished the growth of Nalanda university. the monasteries at the Nalanda university were the creation of Nalanda university.
