Nalanda University, located in present-day Nalanda district of Bihar, was the most renowned ancient center of Buddhist learning in India. It attracted scholars from all over Asia and played a crucial role in the growth, preservation, and spread of Buddhism.
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Foundation of Nalanda University
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Established in the 5th century CE during the reign of Kumaragupta I of the Gupta dynasty.
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Later received patronage from rulers like Harshavardhana (7th century CE) and the Palas of Bengal (8th–12th centuries CE).
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Became the earliest residential university in the world, with thousands of students and teachers living on campus.
Infrastructure and Scale
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Nalanda University had nine-storied buildings, large libraries, monasteries, lecture halls, and hostels.
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The library, known as Dharmaganja, had three parts: Ratnasagara (Sea of Jewels), Ratnadadhi (Ocean of Treasures), and Ratnaranjaka (Delighter of Jewels).
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At its peak, it housed over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
Curriculum and Learning
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Although primarily a center of Mahayana Buddhism, Nalanda also taught Hinayana Buddhism and non-Buddhist subjects.
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Curriculum included:
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Buddhist philosophy, logic, metaphysics
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Vedas, grammar, medicine, mathematics, astronomy
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The university became a model for Buddhist monasteries across Asia.
Role in Buddhist Learning
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Nalanda was the intellectual hub of Mahayana Buddhism.
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Great Buddhist scholars like Nagarjuna, Dignaga, Dharmapala, Shantarakshita, and Dharmakirti were associated with Nalanda.
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Chinese pilgrims like Xuanzang (Hsüan-tsang) and Yijing studied and documented its activities, spreading Buddhist knowledge back to China.
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It served as the link between Indian Buddhism and East/Southeast Asia, influencing Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan.
Decline of Nalanda
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The university continued to flourish under the Palas, but began declining in the 12th century.
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In 1193 CE, it was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji’s Turkish army, who set fire to the great library.
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This marked the decline of Buddhist learning in India, though its influence survived abroad.
Legacy of Nalanda
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Nalanda remains a symbol of India’s ancient knowledge tradition and Bihar’s central role in Buddhist learning.
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Its model influenced Buddhist monasteries and universities across Asia.
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In 2010, a modern Nalanda University was re-established near the ancient ruins with international collaboration, reviving its legacy.