Download The Great Nalanda - Past and Present

The Great Nalanda - Past and Present
- Radha Kant Bharati*
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. were preached where the senior monks gave their sermons while the junior
monks attended. This was the beginning of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. This
monastic establishment gradually 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 also
became a great centre of culture and civilization. It is a well know fact that Buddhism
was studied here in all its forms. But the comparative study of non-Buddhism thoughts
and culture too was thoroughly studied here. 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 monkscholars of Nalanda Mahavihara served as the apostles.
Although, Francis Buchanan had earlier seen the place in 1812 he 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 as ‘Nava Nalanda Mahavihara’
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 surrounding with lush green large
lawns, fountain and pond.
Nalanda was an example of the Guru-Shishya Parampara, a great Indian tradition.
The authority of the Guru (teacher) over the Shishya (student) was absolute, and yet
dissent was permitted in academic matters. The tradition, although going back
thousands of years, flourished at Nalanda more than elsewhere.
Describing the Guru-Shishya relationship, I-Tsing says” “He (Shishya) goes to the
teacher at the fist watch and at the last watch in the night. First the teacher bids him to
sit down comfortably selecting some passages from Tripatakas, he gives a lesson in a
way that suits the circumstances and does not leave any fact or theory unexplained.
He inspects his pupil’s moral conduct, and warns him of defects and transgressions.
Whenever he finds his pupil at fault, he makes him seek remedies and repent. The
pupil rubs the teacher’s body, folds his clothes and sometimes sweeps, the apartment
and the yard. Then having examined the water to ensure there are no insects in it, he
gives it to his teacher. Thus, if there is anything to be done, he does all on behalf of
the teacher.”
It is, therefore, not surprising that the students and the teachers wore the same yellow
robes whose details are available in the Buddhists texts, “wrapped round the loin and
reaching below the knee”. Food was simple and ‘satvik’. According to Shaoman Hwui
Li, the author of “the Life of Hiuan Tasan”, all the provisions were contributed by two
hundred house-holders from about a hundred villages situated around the Nalanda
University.
The fall of Nalanda at the hands of the Turks is a story too deep for tears. Like Nero,
Bakhtiar Khilji, its destroyer in 1205 A. D. laughed while Nalanda burnt. The city of
knowledge, which took several centuries to build, took only a few hours to be
destroyed. 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 beckon all men of knowledge to restore
the glory of the great centre of culture and learning.
However, the Government of India has already initiated action for the revival of
Nalanda. With the passage of Nalanda University Bill in the Parliament both the
Central and State Governments have started work on making Nalanda, once again, a
world class academic institution.
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*This feature article is commissioned by Press & Information Bureau (PIB) and the
author is a freelance writer.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this article are his own and do not
necessarily reflect the views of PIB.