5. Nalanda Buddhist Academy.

A) History: 

Nalanda is located approximately 90 km south east of the US market (Pataliputra), 62 km northeast of Bodhi Gaya (Bodh Gaya-), there are an estimated 166 area of ​​north-south and 800 east of west; of Bihar today (which formerly called Magadha - Ma-out-momentum). Bihar etymology is from Vihara (temple of origin); and Nalanda means where Dharma transmission (nalam: shower; skin: promulgated. In India the lotus symbolizes the Dharma). 

When the Buddha was alive, he has repeatedly visited Nalanda and Pavarika sermon Mango Park (the Mango Grove of Pavarika). Mahavira, cardinals Jain (Jain) also had a break here in the 14th season.

Then Nalanda is a small village, birthplace and where his ceiling Shariputra (Sariputra). Emperor Ashoka had come to worship and to build his enshrines relics of Sariputra and a rose-old-lam (sangharama) here first. The main stupa house later became the central structure symbols of Buddhist Academy (PHV) Nalanda. Many famous great master of PG was also born in this PHV like Nagarjuna (Nagarjuna), his legend was born in the year 150, and was done at 7 years old novice at Nalanda; Dinnaga (Dinnaga - also known as Long Dong Sales or Field), organization of schools 'ruthless Ming', author of 'Mon Luan Ly Nhan Minh Chanh' (Nyayamukha): threshold of logic etc ...

But Nalanda was built monumental scale and become a famous graduate center in centuries rather through faith PG and abundant patronage of Gupta dynasty era's end. 

Through the book ' Western Lands 'Abbot Xuanzang writes: " A former King Sakraditya name, revered and three security Most admit chose plot blessing (lucky spot) to set up this rose-old-lam " . [See Cf. Edgerton, Vikrama's Adventures, 1, p. LXVI.] He also recalled the name three other famous kings continuously patronized Nalanda PHV under the Access sanctifying effects are: 1) Buddhagupta-raja. 2) Tathagatagupta-raja. 3) Baladitya-raja did many later scholars can not compare with the history. 

Many authors have relied on vague details when writing about the king laid the foundation stone built Nalanda. For example when searching "Na-lan-da" in The Dictionary of Buddhism by Chan Nguyen and Nguyen Tuong Bach published in 1999 in Hue, we find recorded: " Buddhist Studies Institute of India fame, King Ruler Achieving multi-shift-la (s. Sascraditya) founded in the second century, the king of Ma-out-momentum . "Perhaps the author has referenced the book" The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion " reputable publisher Shambhala, Boston published in 1994; by also write such a passage. 

But in a meticulous documentation of increased research scholar H. Heras titled "The Royal patrons of the University of Nalanda," was published in the Journal of the Bihar and Orissa Research Society, PART I. Vol. 1928 pp XIV. 1-23 in 1928 has illuminated many new discoveries. He worked closely with Prof Samaddar analyze the effect of the Kings go on coins and lead to a conclusion that is clearly the title of the last king of the dynasty Gupta was: king Kumara Gupta I, effective external access Sakraditya also features other brands are Mahendraditya. [Sakra or Mahendra is the holy of Indra - see Allan, Gupta Coins, p. LV Cf. and Heras, The Final Defeat of Mihirakuka, IHQ, III, P.12]. King Skanda Gupta (ie Buddhagupta-raja); Pura Gupta kings (ie Tathagatagupta-raja), and king Narasimha Gupta (ie Baladitya-raja). 

Thus the king is the king Kumara Gupta Sakraditya I (415-455), son of Chandra Gupta II in the early 5th century, but was not yet a king in the 2nd century.

Where "good land" that Xuanzang record is voluminous sacred stupas midst of PHV large campus - enshrines relics of Sariputra Bodhisattva foregoing. He also built up the anniversary beer Buddhamitra master placed the statue. [Fleet, oc, p.47. Hwui Li, Life of Hiuen Tsiang, p.109]. And so the king later resumed for construction of buildings increased other-old-lam further expansion. 

Also through the study of H. Heras, the PHV Nalanda was started in the year 427 by order of the king Kumara Gupta I. This is reasonable because Indian society reign Kumara Gupta I remain peaceful prosperous time, rich and strong country should pay more attention to the king of academic thought, was sponsored and gather plenty of renowned contemporary authors. It is worth noting that his father was very devoted Chandra Gupta II BLM teachers, but to tide you Kumara Gupta I then re tolerance and support for the PG and Jain. 

PHV Nalanda at the time was a senior academic centers of international reputation, gathered a lot of great thinkers were not only in Buddhism, but also intensive work on all other industries as the Vedic literature, logic, natural writing, numeracy, medicine etc ... The famous commentator of Madhyamikas and Vijnaptivada also taught here. At the same time, the Institute learned Xuanzang had saved two thousand teachers and ten thousand students in learning to eat. Abbot is a great time Roshi Silabhadra (About Hien) gave the French minister doctrine tones (aka Wei Du-old formula cardboard or cardboard). Facility includes eight rose-old-lam and room 300 is surrounded by a very high wall round, only one port in the south. The Institute has a library set in a 9-storey building containing full name Business Ratnabodhi Mahayana, Theravada, Veda, formulary, astronomy, geography, mathematics, engineering ... that legend when militants arson in the 12th century was smoldering to seven months to complete. 

The number of participants is not merely monks, but who want to learn to pass the bar exam study level issues by watching professional magician. Only 2-3 people out of 10 proliferate through. Xuanzang wrote him " to rise-old-lam Baladitya-raja and was staying in a 4-floor apartment Buddhabhadra " . [Cf. Beal, oc, II, p.167 Hwui Li, oc, p. 110.] 

Xuanzang wrote: " King Buddhagupta-raja [ie king Skanda Gupta (455-467)] has continued the work of his father; to build a rose-old south-lam other house his father had built . " This coincided with India's history in the period after the king Skanda Gupta drove the slaves in plain Aryavarta Hungary, has thanksgiving offering to PHV. [Bhit inscription of Skanda Gupta, Fleet, oc, p.55, 1:10].

To the king Pura Gupta Skanda Gupta His successor king is like Paramartha (Leg-Stand: 499-569) wrote in 'The Life of Vasubandhu (The Body)', a contemporary novelist PG comment in the 5th century and Meditation group 21, is doing all in Nalanda Institute; that due to the influence of The Monkey King Vikramaditya become guardian for PG and also build a boost-old-lam other east of the throne, the king gave up first, also send the queen and the prince to practice with Him. Vikramaditya Gupta Pura ie, as later was found to be Sri-Vikramah inscription on coins his reign; and Prince king Narasimha Gupta ie. During this period Buddhism and commentary that there has been a debate about Ty Ba Sa scale argument (vibhasa). 

To the Narasimha Gupta, the Gupta era began to weaken. Sometimes King Hung launches military offensive Mihirakula pull capital market Member States and pursued Narasimha until the Bay of Bengal. Mihirakula were brutally massacred increase PG believers, and has destroyed Nalanda first PHV. [Heras, A Note on the Excavations at Nalanda and its History, JBBRAS, II, NS, p. 215-216.]

Yet Narasimha Gupta troops drove all the way to Kashmir Hungarian slave. After winning the king Narasimha Gupta immediately to repair the old-rose-lam has been damaged, build a new rose-old-lam in the northeast of the former Institute of father. During Xuanzang to old-school house-lam increases remains, called University Hospital Baladitya-raja. Gupta king Narasimha further construction also added a monastery (vihara) high 300 sets. Xuanzang wrote: " The temple is really massive. Its size and Buddha statues inside similar representatives in Bodh Gaya . "[Beal, oc, p. 173-774.]

After completing the king Narasimha Gupta temple opened a congress inaugurated very important. He allowed all religious citizens to participate. There were 10 thousand monks came from across the country and the two monks from China. According to Tsang, the presence of two monks from China was pleasing to the King and increasing his faith PG. Later Narasimha Gupta has ceded the throne to children born to at increase in PHV. 

A passage in the travelogue of Xuanzang recorded " The son of the king Narasimha Gupta was named Vajra throne after his father joined the Sangha. "Vajra Kumara Gupta II was king, and he continued to build a rose-old new cooling west of Nalanda. [Beal, 1. c.]

But after Narasimha Gupta dynasty of the Magadha on the wane and internal disturbances occur every sales were implicated to the ruins of Nalanda PHV not less. According to the inscription, the king of kings Apshad at Kumara Gupta Adityasena II, then king Damodara Gupta defeat rebels Isanavarman - a brave general public used to have military expel Andhra, Sulika, GAUDA and barbarians Hung, was clearly on Haraha inscriptions. Later Gupta king Mahasena even put down the rebels Susthivarman. 

Vajra king Kumara Gupta II was king, the king was ultimately recorded Xuanzang used to have merit with PHV Nalanda. Even the last king of the dynasty Gupta mutual competing Tsang also not mentioned in the travel diary. He continued: " Then the king of Central India . "[Beal, oc, II, p.170.] Obviously Xuanzang wanted to mention in Kannauj Harsavardhana emperor nearly two centuries later, at the time he presence in India. There are two sections praised Tsang kings have had contact with in the travel diary PHV is king announced the globe studying Buddhism and the conference held an honored Mahayana. 

After drove Shashanka, the king Harsavardhana that Xuanzang was Siladitya-raja honor to rebuild the entire rose-old-lam damaged and even to build a new temple copper and building a high Buddha statue 25 meters in the throne hall rose-old-lam built by King Kumara-Gupta I. Not the king, but also all imitate vassal kings patronized Nalanda PHV again, we could name six emirates as monarch Maukhari with Purnavarma, GAUDA in Bengal, Assam Kamarupa, Nepal, Valabhi in Saurastra and Chalukya in Deccan [ASIEC, 1917-8, p.44-5]. Nalanda affording food each day, such as Hue Ly (Hwui Li) recorded in the book " The Life of Xuanzang "through the description of Xuanzang in the 7th century proceeds as follows: 

" The beautiful decorated tower and the high expectations mystical stations as the hills are intertwined. The station hopes seemed to be submerged in downy and the rooms are located on the clouds overhead. From the window one could see the clouds are transformed because of the wind, and above the soaring eaves can observe the sequence between the sun and moon. And please add that on the lake during the full bloom of blue lotus flowers, with red inserts competence of flowers Kie-ni (Kanaka) and all around there are trees shady Amra. In the courtyard outside where monks reside four floors. Each floor has a dragon statue and colorful awnings, ruby stone pillars carved and beautifully decorated, the sophisticated lobby, and the roof was thatched roofs reflect sunlight into thousands ball as do add magnificent views. " 

The king had great respect for the monks, and exemptions for some 100 surrounding villages to take care to provide for reinforcements. Two hundred families in the village that turns every day usually devoted few bushels of rice, butter and milk hundreds match. Thanks given to serve as full and yet there from proliferation concerns to "the Quartet" (clothes, food, beds and medicines). Hence the expectation that their practice to achieve perfection.

[ The richly adorned towers, and the fairy-like turrets, pointed like hill-tops, are congregated together. The observatories the seem to be lost in the vapours of the morning, and the upper rooms above the clouds tower. From the windows one unfortunately see how the winds and the clouds tạo new forms, and above the eaves Soaring conjunctions of the sun and the moon lẽ Observed. And then add how the deep chúng sewing translucent ponds, ask for their bear on the blue lotus surface, intermingled with the Kie-ni (Kanaka) flower, of deep red color, and at intervals spread over all the AMRA groves, ask for their shade. All the outside Courts, chứa are the priests' chambers are of four stages. The stages have dragon projections and Coloured eaves, the pearl-red Pillars, Carved and ornamented, richly adorned the balustrades, and the roofs with tiles Covered mà reflect the light in a thousand shades, những things add to the beauty of the scene. 

The king of the country respects and honors the priests, and has remitted the revenues of about 100 Villages for the endowment of the convent. Two hundred householders In These Villages, day by day, of ordinary rice Contribute piculs vài, vài hundred catties weight of butter and milk printing. Hence the Students here, being compared abundantly supplied, do not require asking for the four requisites (clothing, food, bedding and medicine). This is the source of the perfection of chúng studies, to mà They have Arrived. ] [Hwui Li, oc, p.111-112.]

Calendar of daily living at Nalanda, according to Xuanzang is roughly as follows: In the early morning, the call every resident students are up and bathing. Then Buddha image bathing ceremony, with floral offerings and chanting. Next is meditation, then breakfast. After eating, proliferation to hear him lecture hall and join debates on topics learned; sometimes lasted until the evening. Noon is the real noon. In the afternoon, there Vandana Caitya ritual, the monks gathered at the school gates and sing carols offerings to Buddha before the meditation room and bedrooms. 

In the Gupta era, the practice of Mahayana (Mahayana), especially Madhyamaka (Madhyamarg) developed strongly. Since 750 under age, the study of Tantra Pala (Vajrayana meditation) until the final years of Nalanda. In the 8th century master work Dharmaganj had spread to Tibet PG (Tibet). From 1049 to 1057 there was abbot at Nalanda Naropa. After Islamic militants invaded and devastated Nalanda India in the 12th century, the tradition has been passed PG Tibet. Yet 1235 has a Tibetan pilgrim Chag Lotsawa visited Nalanda also saw 90-year old preacher is teaching Rahula Shribhadra 70 proliferation. 

B) Overall Plotting PHV Nalanda: 

1) House rose-old-lam built by King Kumara Gupta I of the land in the center blessing. (Beal, oc, p. 168.)
2) South: rose-old-blue house built by King Skanda Gupta.
3) East: rose-old-blue house built by King Purra Gupta. 
4) Northeast: rose-old-lam built by King Narasimha Gupta.
5) The west: rose-old-lam built by King Kumara Gupta II.
6) North: rose-old house-lam enormous built by King Harsavardhana (Beal, oc, p. 170.) In the book 'The Life Xuanzang' is the record of the next Huili house built by King Kumara Gupta II.
7) In the west this house there are temples. (Beal, o. C, p. 172.)
8) Go south about 100 steps, with small tower. 
9) In the south there is the statue of the "Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara" (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva).
10) In south of this statue with pagoda relics of the Buddha.
11) In the west outside wall of the tower, with tank and add a different tower. 
12) At the southeast about 50 steps, inside wall with an unusual tree, double body and can grow to 8 or 9 sets. 
13) Next, a great eastern side lifted 200 sets, Legend built by King Narasimha Gupta.
14) Then north side about 100 steps, there is a temple inside the statue "Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara" (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva).
15) To the north of this temple there is a different era high of 300 set itself, built by Baladitya-raja (Natrasimha Gupta ).
16) In the northeast there is a different temple. 
17) Also northeast where "the past four Buddhas is you".
18) In the south with copper pot temple built by King Siladitya-raja (Harsavardhana).
19) east for approximately 200 steps outside wall has a tall bronze statue 80 feet. There is a covered pavilion 6 floors above Purnavarma built by King. 
20) In the north of 2 to 3 miles or point of brick monastery with a church Bodhisattva Da-la (Tara). 
21) inside the south gate there a large water wells.
22) Entire PHV is surrounded by a high wall round, built by King Harsavardhana. (Ibid. P, 179.) 
23) Doors PHV goes on in the south.END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGTHMENT.WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.18/11/2015.