Let me to present you one of the first ancient International Universities of the world located 90 Kms from the capital city of Bihar – Patna. The university which was built during the time of Buddha and Mahavira in the 6th century B.C stunned even today to those travelers who visited the sight of Nalanda University. The word Nalanda has many meanings as the historians of ancient India differ in their explanation of the meaning of this place. However, the general opinions say that the word “Nalanda” is comprised of two words – “Nalam” which means “Lotus” and “Da” which means “to give”. Thus, combined the meaning of the words, it stand for “Giver of Lotus”. Since the Lotus is the symbol of Saraswati who is the Goddess of learning, knowledge and wisdom. Hence the word Nalanda means the “the Giver of Knowledge”.
The world famous town of Nalanda came into existence around 5th century B.C. and was a booming town with over 10,000 scholars where ruins of the great ancient university have been excavated to prove it as the largest residential centre of learning that the world had ever known, having the library in a nine storied building. There were scholars from China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and Ceylon. The wide range of courses was offered at Nalanda University. The major subjects were taught were scriptures of Mahayana and Hinayana Schools of Buddhism, Brahminical Vedic texts, Philosophy, logic theology, grammar, astronomy, mathematics and medicine. It was the sacred place of learning to Jains, Buddhists and Hindus but it has been more famed as one of the places frequented by Lord Buddha preaching his Dharma. He often retired to two destinations of Nalanda and Rajgir especially during the rainy season. It was here in Nalanda that Mahavira the last Jain Tirthankara, had met Goshala. The presence of this religion in all the countries mentioned above may be one of the reasons of its connection with Nalanda.
Ashoka the Great had contributed lot to this university by building a Vihara at Nalanda. During the first half of the 5th century, The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang came to India and was attracted by the glory of Nalanda University and decided to stay at Nalanda for 12 years both as a student and as a teacher. Today, from his writings, we came to know the detailed and vivid description of the Indian political and social conditions of that time on the one hand and richly sculptured towns and fairy-like turrets and beautiful ponds on the other.
The excavation at Nalanda further revealed the well established system of University where more than two thousand teachers and ten thousand students live together, the university has a large stairway, decorated panels, lecture halls, dormitories for the monks and students, and metal idols of the Buddha. The main monuments which were found at University of Nalanda are the Viharas or Monasteries, chaityas, Stupas, Votive or Commemorative.
