Administration and Architect of Nalanda -
Xuanzang left detailed accounts of the
school in the 7th century.
He
described how the regularly laid-out towers, forest of pavilions, harmikas and
temples seemed to "soar above the mists in the sky" so that from
their cells the monks "might witness the birth of the winds and
clouds".
The
pilgrim states: "An azure pool winds around the monasteries, adorned with
the full-blown cups of the blue lotus; the dazzling red flowers of the lovely
kanaka hang here and there, and outside groves of mango trees offer the inhabitants
their dense and protective shade."
Nalanda’s whole
establishment is surrounded by a brick wall, which encloses the entire convent.
One gate opens into the great college, from which are separated eight other halls standing in the middle (of the Sangharama).
The observatories seem to be lost in the vapors (of the morning), and the upper rooms tower above the clouds.
One gate opens into the great college, from which are separated eight other halls standing in the middle (of the Sangharama).
The observatories seem to be lost in the vapors (of the morning), and the upper rooms tower above the clouds.
Archaeological
evidence proofs that there was greater relationship with the Shailendra dynasty
of Indonesia, one of whose kings built a monastery in the complex.
Taranath the 17th-century Tibetan Lama, states that the 3rd-century
BC Mauryan emperor, Buddhist Ashok, built a great temple at Nalanda at the site of
Shariputra's Chaityas.
Taranatha also
mentions a contemporary of Nagarjuna named Suvishnu building 108 temples at the
location.
While this could imply that there was a flourishing centre for Buddhism at Nalanda before the 3rd century BC, no archaeological evidence has been unearthed to support the assertion.
While this could imply that there was a flourishing centre for Buddhism at Nalanda before the 3rd century BC, no archaeological evidence has been unearthed to support the assertion.
When Fahyahan an early
Chinese Buddhist pilgrim to India, visited Nalo (Nalanda), the site of
Shariputra's Parinirvan at the turn of the 5th century AD, all
he found worth mentioning was a Stup. He came Nalanda before Xuanzang.
Nalanda's datable
history begins under the Gupta Empire and a
seal identify a monarch named Shakraditya (Śakrāditya)
as its founder.
Xuanzang and a Korean pilgrim named Prajnyavarman (Prajñāvarman) attribute the foundation of a Sangharam (monastery) at the site to him.
Xuanzang and a Korean pilgrim named Prajnyavarman (Prajñāvarman) attribute the foundation of a Sangharam (monastery) at the site to him.
Shakraditya
is identified with the 5th-century AD Gupta emperor, Kumargupta 1 (415 – 455), whose coin has
been discovered at Nalanda.
His successors, Buddhagupta Tathagatagupta, Baladitya and Vajra, later extended and expanded the institution by building additional monasteries and temples.
His successors, Buddhagupta Tathagatagupta, Baladitya and Vajra, later extended and expanded the institution by building additional monasteries and temples.
The
Guptas were traditionally a Brahaminical dynasty.
Narsinghgupta (Baladitya) however, was brought up under the influence of the Mahayanist philosopher, Vashubandhu.
He built a sangharama at Nalanda and also a 300 ft (91 m) high vihara with a Buddha statue within.
Which, according to Xuanzang or Hiuen Tsang, resembled the "great Vihara built under the Bodhi Tree".
Narsinghgupta (Baladitya) however, was brought up under the influence of the Mahayanist philosopher, Vashubandhu.
He built a sangharama at Nalanda and also a 300 ft (91 m) high vihara with a Buddha statue within.
Which, according to Xuanzang or Hiuen Tsang, resembled the "great Vihara built under the Bodhi Tree".
