Nalande - Encyclopedia Buddhism. Nalane - Buddhism Encyclopedia Monastery Naland India

When Xuan-Tsan went to his distant and full journey, he especially sought to get to Nalanda - a small settlement, which is now difficult to even find on the map. In his times, the glory of this place, located near Rajagrych, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Magada, reached China itself. What attracted Buddhists from distant countries?

Here it was possible to get not only religious merits that the pilgrim acquires when visiting the holy place, but also deep knowledge. In Naulana, Buddhist scholarship flourished for many centuries, it was a kind of university. A long series of monasteries has stretched from the West to the East, and there lived a lot of monks who have learned from famous teachers. They studied Sanskrit, canonical texts and a number of philosophical disciplines.

(Photo: Restorers)

By the VII century Buddhism as a mass religion already inferior to Hinduism and underwent decline, but behind this decline was hidden the high development of philosophical thought: behind the walls of the monasteries there was a tense controversy on very difficult doctrinal issues. The narrow circle of buddhist-intellectuals found a medium to communicate in places such as Naland. According to Xuan-Tsan, it was not easy to get there: "If someone who came from another country, from another city, wants to participate in discussions, then the gatekeeper sets him difficult questions, and then many fail and go. Only those who have learned deeply and the newest, and ancient [work] is allowed to enter. Then again coming to show their abilities in sophisticated disputes. From ten sometimes seven or eight rejected, and the remaining two or three, the most enlightened, being inside the community, may not avoid the temples another time and lose their reputation. "

Coming out of the monastery, the monks were seen built into a series of stups, of which the big and richly decorated was the stupa Shariputra. So called one of the main students of the Buddha, which was distinguished by outstanding abilities to philosophical reasoning.

(Photo: Stupa Shariputras)

In our time, the STUPA Shariputra is a massive construction of bricks, square in terms, inside the filled ground. Excavations showed that Stupa changed his appearance seven times. The first three stages were very small - about 3.5 m in height. The most cardinal changes occurred at the fifth perestroika, then the stupa and acquired the current appearance with four testers in the corners, only the stairs leading upward were changed later.

Judging by the inscription found here, the fifth stupa refers to the VI century. It is assumed that in the sanctuary at the top of the stupas, to which the staircase leads, there was a very large statue of the Buddha, based on the size of the pedestal. The towers in the corners of the stupa are very beautiful, the figures of the Buddha and Bodhisattva were placed in their niches.

(Photo: At the corner of Shariputors)

This large building is surrounded by many small stupas. Such buildings were usually built by rich laity - adherents of Buddhism - to improve their fate in the next life.

(Photo: Small stupas and temple in Naland)

The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Xian, who visited India in the V century, mentions Shariputra stupa, but says nothing about the monasteries: "They came to Naulana - the village where Shariputra was born. Here he returned to achieve Parubirvanas - on this place the stupa existing now is erected. Probably, monasteries appeared later, between the V and VII centuries. Considering the ruins of monasteries excavated by archaeologists, you can imagine their device. All monasteries have a similar layout and almost the same in size. In the center of each there was an open courtyard, along the perimeter of which monastic cells were located. In front of the entrances in Celi, the covered gallery stretched, the remnants of the columns, once supported the roof. In the depths of the yard, opposite the entrance, there was a temple with a revered statue inside. In front of him passed common prayers and mandatory rituals. In the courtyard detected wells and deepening, which served in the furnace; Probably, they were preparing food. Judging by the preserved stairs, there was a second floor in the monasteries, most likely from a tree.

(Photo: One of the monasteries Nalands)

Not far from Nalanda there is a picturesque lake. According to beliefs, it was inhabited by Naga (snipe-like half-skinned creature) named Naland. When monasteries built and dug the ground, his body was accidentally filled. Then the prediction was obvious that the monks in these abode would easily achieve perfection in all areas of knowledge, but some curse would be over them - sometimes they will be sick of blood. So in Buddhism, the sophisticated scientist of philosophers was combined with common superstitions.

(Photo: Lake in the vicinity of Naland)

Nalanda, like Rome, was not built immediately. It took several centuries so that she gained fame and distributed its civilized influence not only to the whole country, but also to such remote earths, like Japan, Java, Korea, China or Tibet.

The legend states that the mango grove of the Biharika in Bihara was consecrated by the Gauta Buddha himself. And later the king of Ashoka built a Vikhara (monastery) and thousands of scientists got the opportunity to study science in countless halls and temples.

It is believed that by the title of these monasteries the whole area, and then the Indian state became known as Bihar. Now, thanks to the rich heritage, the University of Nalands has become an international center for education and culture. Dobddian heritage consisted of the ancient knowledge of the Vedas and Puran, Buddhist - from Piping Arches, Dhammapada, Abhidhamma with comments of such ancient thinkers like Nagarjuna and Vasibundu, who brought together and gave the cut to the disparate knowledge.

Naulant has always been a university with hostels, the fact that it is now custom-made campus. Now, at the course of entrance exams, the following is perceived especially interesting. In the "state" of the University of Nauland since sincervilla was "gatekeepers or gate keepers" - scientists of very high rank, well-knowledgeable their subject and selected from among the best countries in order to examine applicants immediately upon arrival. The "entrance" exam was very tough. Only seven or eight scientists from each tens could pass it successfully. Therefore, insufficiently knowledgeable in the sciences came to the goal of Nalandes again and again - until the level of their preparation satisfied the gatekeepers. And only our own merits, but not wealth or ranks could be a criterion. There are records that even scientists from the families of the rulers were denied, although the costs of Nalands were covered with the royal grants (although secured taxes charged from rural residents; there is evidence that such fees with several villages were complained of Nalande on the maintenance of its hostels and management Temples and monasteries). Many Chinese scientists have been trained in Nalande, leaving memoirs in which you can reproduce the style of academic life of the university.

For example, according to I-Singu, the minimum age for the applicant was equal to the years. And those who have already passed training in any other university were taken here in order to get even higher knowledge. So, the Chinese pilgrim Hiouen Tsang, who arrived in Nalanda during the time of the "good king of Kharcha" indicates that "scientists from different cities seeking to be recognized in discussions came here in a set to dispel their doubts." Gatekeepers Nalands were actually keepers of the treasury of knowledge of India. At the same time, anyone wishing to participate in an open discussion on any issue concerning philosophy, religion, jurisprudence or simply any life situations was welcomed.

Learn in the greatest center of knowledge was very prestigious. In addition, people from the most remote lands attracted a long-term approach to learning here. True, theology was a mandatory subject, but also other disciplines, including medicine, were taught with a few zeal. Grammar and phonetics, etymology, history and yoga - everything was included in the schedule. He was taught even ... Archery.

The aforementioned Hieun Tsang traveled to India through the Gobi and Himalayas desert. He stayed at the university for 17 years: first as a student, then Professor at the head of Shilabhadre. In Naulana, he was met at the gate by the thousand lamps, because hearing about his erudition and reputation reached the university earlier than he himself. Here he was engaged in getting a master's degree in jurisprudence, and then became the vice director of all the huge university. The applicant very quickly turned into a student who was instructed by deep research requiring long and dangerous travels.

According to Tsang's descriptions, the routine of the day in Naland was saturated with various rituals. The morning began with a call to abormulation. It seems that the bathing was mandatory for everyone. Moreover, the morning ablution was prescribed to make everyone in a special time for him. Then he followed the shrinkage of the sacred image of the Buddha petals of colors - accompanied by the declamation and singing of the hymns. After a meager breakfast, everyone gathered in the halls for discussion and training sessions. After lunch, another ritual passed - the priests gathered in the monastery main hoist and sang prayers to the glory of the Buddha. And on hundreds of departments for soles, students had to spend daily at least several minutes. The evenings came time walking. The night was intended for rest.

Knowledge of Sanskrit was mandatory. It included not only the perfect ownership of the grammar of this defense, but also the proper pronunciation. Very large importance at the university attached to the discussions that could last to day. Scientists have always welcomed them, because they were betrayed by their beloved sciences, and in discussions there was an active enrichment of intellects and the fact that in our days is called "Brainstorming".

On Tsang, the discipline of Nalands produced a great impression. For 700 years of the university's existence (by the time of his receipt), not a single event of strikes or any unrest, with the exception of scientists of disputes, was not recorded. True, in those of the latter, which concerned important principles, the battles were not for life, but for death. " Mandatory written works did not exist, although the rewriting of handwritten texts was ordinary. Joen Tsang and I-Sing brought a huge cargo of such books to China from Naulant.

Fees for food, clothing and accommodation with students were not charged. There was no penalties. More precisely. Everyone who guessed, as a rule, immediately realized his misconduct and punished himself. And between the teacher and the student of the relationship were similar relations between the Father and the Son. The biggest joy and highest award for the teacher became if the student was eclipsed by his mentor. Students and professors wore the same yellow robes "wrapped around the waist and back and pickled on the belt; Having frowning clothes wrapped around the waist, descended below the knees." Food was very simple - from products delivered by two hundreds of homeowners from different villages.

But the sport was located in the university walls. Students were allowed to struggle, boxing, different games (but not a game of bones, despite the fact that such entertainment was very popular in the Indian society of that time).

Unfortunately, the blessed centuries-old life of Nalandes once was dramatically torn off. Conquerors destroyed the city of Knowledge in a few hours. The legend says that several monks rushed under the legs of enemies, trying to save at least the rattling - the world famous library. However, they themselves were thrown into the fire along with books. The survivors escaped. So only the memory of Nalande and the history of her, set fired by the European Hamilton, was subsequently, and then Alexakon Cunningham.

The twentieth century has come. In 1915, the first excavations were organized within the ancient University. They continued about twenty years. And now, again, scientists go to the city of Nav, located near the ancient Nalande - to restore the glory of this greatest knowledge center.

The famous historical Buddhist monastery complex and university in Northeast India, which emerged in the V century.

He existed seven centuries, and was destroyed in the XII century during the Muslim invasion.

In fact, it was the first university of South and East Asia, where they were taught not only Buddhism and not only Buddhists.

At the University of Nalands there were workshops on copying books, Buddhist painting and bronze sculpture.

It is possible that it was in Naulana that the main Buddhist visual canons were formed, which were subsequently brought to the art of Nepal and Tibet by Indian Buddhist monks who fled in the XII century from Islamic persecution.

Educational program of the University of Naland

Nalanda was famous for the whole world not only by outstanding mentors, but also strict regulations, as well as high demands for students who had to memorize basic texts by heart, know well commentative literature, participate in public thematic disputes.

The minimum program provided for solid preparation for "five great sciences":

Invasion

In 1193, the universal confession was destroyed during the Muslim invasion of the army of the invaders led by Bakhtiir Halji, having emblammed fire and sword. Thousands of Buddhist monks were burned alive or beheaded, the world's richest library of Naulant destroyed in fire. These events caused a crushing blow to the development of Buddhism in India, from that moment its decline began in this country. This led to the fact that in modern India, only 0.5% of the indigenous population is confessed by Buddhism, this figure is less than in Russia.
In the XII century, hiding from persecution, many Buddhist monks from India fled to neighboring Nepal and Tibet.
In 1351, a monastery was created in Tibet, where Buddhist philosophy was trained, under the same name - Naulana.

Modernity

From the XII century, there were partially preserved ruins on the spot of Nalands - now this is a historic monument that the Indian province of Bihar is famous. Ruins are 90 km southeast of Patna, once this city was the ancient capital of India.

Near Naulanta is now located the modern center of Tharavad tradition.

The zone excavated by archaeologists occupies an area of \u200b\u200babout 150 thousand sq.m., but a significant part of the territory has not been studied. In the nearby museum, manuscripts are stored, which were found during excavations.

India, Singapore and a number of other countries in Southeast Asia discuss the revival of the International University of Naland over the past 10 years.

In 2007, the Council headed by an outstanding Indian economist, the Nobel Prize laureate, AMARTY SENOM, was formed for these purposes. According to his plan, the revived slaughter university should become one-row with such universities famous in history as Bologna, Cambridge or Harvard.

Literature:
Androsov, Valery Pavlovich. Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Encyclopedic Dictionary. M., 2011, p.294-295.

Nalanda is a place not far from Rajgir. The most famous from the ancient Indian universities was located here. Naulant was a prosperous city in the time of the Buddha. He visited him during his missionary wanderings. In Nalande, Buddha stayed along with his students in the Mango Grove Ambahn. We have extensive information about the University of Nalands Thanks to the works of Xuan Zzany and Fa Xiang, who have leaving notes about their travels and staying at the university.

The first monastery in Nalande built King Quumara Gupta (415-455 AD). This was a seminary for training Buddhist monks. She was not far from the city and for this reason was chosen by monks as an ideal center for Buddhist training. As a result of the expansion and expansion of this seminary, the University of Nalands has emerged. Tsar Budddha Gupta (455-467 AD), Tsar Jatagatha Gupta (467-500 AD), King Balajdia (500-525 AD) and Vizhro (525) contributed to the expansion of the university in terms of additional facilities. King Balajdia erected the sanctuary of 300 feet height. His son of the wizard built the fifth monastery. King Harsha Soldy built the sixth monastery and surrounded the university with nine high walls.

In the tenth century, when Xuan Zzan came to the university, 10,000 students lived here. All of them arrived here from various parts of India and other countries. It was the leading Indian University. His rector was considered the most outstanding Buddhist scientist in India and during the residence of Xuan Zzanya was such a Sybhadra Mach Thara. At that time there were 10,000 students, 1510 teachers and 1,500 workers. Pupils arrived from Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Sumatra, Java, Sri Lanka.

Oral exam was allowed to study at the university. He was held in the lobby of Professor, whose name was Dvora Pandit. It was necessary to know the Sanskrit well, because the training was carried out on it. All Chinese monks who wanted to get a higher education in India, first sent to Java to hone the skill in possession of Sanskrit. Xuan Zzan wrote that only 20% of foreign students passed difficult exams. Among the Indians the percentage was higher - 30%. Thus, the standard requirements were high. Neither the caste nor the worldview, nor the nationality, in complete agreement with the Buddhist approach, did not affect the exams. The university did not have students on absentee training. The university was provided at the expense of seven villages by the decree of the king. The study of Buddhism Mahayana was mandatory. Also, the student could choose the study of the doctrines of the other 18 Buddhist schools of Krynyany, as well as secular items: science, medicine, astrology, visual art, literature, commerce, management, and so on. Also taught six systems of Hindu philosophy. At the highest building was the observatory. Part of the university training course were lectures, debates, discussions. Xuan Zzan wrote that every day was given 100 lectures. An exemplary discipline reigned at the university.

A major role was played by Nalande in the propaganda of Buddhism and the spread of Indian culture abroad, especially in China and Tibet. Without exaggeration, it can be said that during the heyday (VII centuries) of Naulant was one of the largest Asian education and science centers. From Central Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Indochina, Indonesia, Ceylon to India came to the Buddhists, who wanted to complete their education under the guidance of famous teachers. So, and Jing, we learn that in the forty years between the trip Xuan Tszan and his own, in India, 56 scientists from East Asia countries and most of them were studied in Nalande. Even more foreigners came to India in subsequent centuries. Having received a comprehensive education here, having gathered hundreds of most valuable manuscripts, they returned to their homeland, where Buddhist communities were founded, taught Sanskrit's compatriots and translated into their own products of Indian literature. So, Indian culture leaned into the most distant Asian countries.

The university held an area of \u200b\u200b30 acres. There were three large libraries: Ratna Sagar, Ratna Nidi, Ratna Range, one of whom was nine-story. Nalande is known to the greatest Buddhist thinkers, among which you can allocate Nagarjuun, Arjadwev, Dharmapalu, Sybakhadra, Santaarakshit, Camalacela, Bhavivek, Denagag, Dharmakirti. Their work is represented by fourteen Tibetan and Chinese translations. Originals, however, have sunk in the fly, when Muslim invaders under the leadership of Bhaktiara Khilji burned the university and beheaded monks in 1037. Up to this point, Nalander flourished a thousand years, was a storehouse of wisdom and training, the only one in their way throughout the world.

Bhaktiir Khilji invaded Magada and attacked Nalande right at that moment when the monks were going to dine. This is confirmed by archaeological testimonies that showed that the monks left food in a big hurry. The same fact confirms that the charred rice remains in the granaries. The blessed centuries-old life of Nalandes once was dramatically torn off. So only the memory of Nalande and the story of it remained, set forth by Europeans subsequently, first by Hamilton, and then Alexak Kanningham.

Ruins and excavations Nalands are guarded by the Indian government. In 1958, India's President Radhendra Prasad solemnly opened Nava Naulana Viharaja near the place where an ancient university was located.

Now almost all ruins are put in order, and the territory of the complex itself is carefully well maintained and places look like a huge flower garden, with clean tracks, benches, flower beds.

Unfortunately, we can only see the ruins of the monastery. But they are striking with their scales. According to archaeologists, most of the buildings remain hidden under Earth. But since even what is already open to the gaze, covers an area of \u200b\u200bone and a half hundred thousand square meters, then there is no doubt that the university was impressive.

On the site of today's ruins once there were several temples, seven monasteries, numerous buildings for classes (according to some calculations there were several hundred), large audiences, hostels. In addition, of course, there were other buildings here - it was a whole city limited by the walls, and it was all that is necessary for a normal life (and there was about ten thousand people in Naulate) and excellent learning.

Even the ruins of the monasteries allow you to see a lot - lecture halls, student rooms, cooking rooms, you can even see how the ventilation and sewage system was arranged. A wide foundation, the preserved wall bases allow themselves to imagine the magnitude of the buildings ..

In the center of the complex, a large educational institution was elevated with the eight-standing spacious halls adjacent to him. Fabulously beautiful pavilions crowned gorgeous, brightly painted multi-storey buildings. Among them was the observatory concerned, according to Xuan Zzan, his tower top of the clouds. Numerous rooms for the clergy and mentors, grouped around courtyards, were distinguished by the richness of the decoration: painted eaves, carved balustrade, red pillars covered with carvings and painting, on the roofs of glistened and overflowing with thousands of shades. Bright colored tiles.

Separate buildings were above 60 m, and in one of them - the five-storey-standing copper statue with a height of 24 m. The roofs were covered, possibly gilded with copper or colored tiles. In the inner decoration used precious stones and gems. Wood columns and beams brightly painted (often in red). The highest building in Nalande, which reached the height of about 90 m, was one of the largest structures of his era.

The whole training town was charged with a wall with angular towers and several gates. The towers were adapted for astronomical observations. At the gate, every newcomer could read the names of the famous Naulants teachers and, thus, from the very beginning he was penetrated by respect for this temple of science.

It is best to our time that the STUP sharging, with outer stairs, stucked images of the Buddha on the walls, with many small stars nearby. Obviously, other temples were as richly decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs. The history of this construction of this stupa is:

The closest students of Buddha - Shariputra and Mudghalian were from Rajgira, the village, which is close to Nalande. It was in Rajigir that Shariputra returned to read his last sermons before leaving to parley.

In one of the jaclat, it is described by its care: "By learning about the care of Shariputras in Nirvana, the Lord of the Indra gods surrounded by many hundreds of thousands of deities, which took flowers, incense and other subjects of the sacrifice, headed to the other side, [where this event was performed]. The gods worked closely on the upper heaven, the rain poured their tears, and the fallen flowers covered the ground to the knees.

All residents of the city and its surroundings, having learned that Shariputra went to Nirvana, took with them the items necessary for sacrifice - animal and vegetable oil, incense, flowers, arrived at the place and embraced by unbearable sorrow, committed a sacrifice.

Then the Lord of the gods Indra gave Vishvakarm the next order: "Cook the chariot decorated with many jewels! Put the body shell of Shariputras on it. " After that, gods, nagi, yaksha, king, dignitaries, the entire population of the country, the wall loudly, delivered [the remains of Shariputras] in a calm and benevolent place. " So the body of Shariputra was moved to Nalanda, where the gods themselves made farewell rituals over him. Over the remains of Shariputra Anathappunda, stupa was built.

After catching the ruins of the monastery, you can feel the spirit of knowledge. Buddhism is a tradition associated with learning. What makes him in his own way unique. Buddha is an enlightened creature that it can be said that it is the perfect scientist, one who came to the final and perfect comprehension of the nature of reality. And this comprehension was enough for the Buddha freed from suffering. Because he realized that the reality itself gives us the opportunity to free themselves from suffering if you understand her nature. It is the idea of \u200b\u200bthe deep knowledge of reality that lay at the heart of university learning in Nalande. Education - the purpose of which was to achieve awakening. Now it is a fertile place that carried through the spirit of the spirit of the scholar of the wisdom, a state of deep concentration and peace, thousands of tourists from all over the world are visited.

Ruins ancient Monastery Nalanda - Historical, located in Bihar not far from Rajgir and a partner. The most famous from the ancient Indian universities was located here. Naulant was a prosperous city in the time of the Buddha. He visited him during his missionary wanderings. In Nalande, Buddha stayed along with his students in the Mango Grove Ambahn. We have extensive information about the University of Nalands Thanks to the works of Xuan Zzany and Fa Xiang, who have leaving notes about their travels and staying at the university.

The university was provided at the expense of seven villages by the decree of the king. The study of Buddhism Mahayana was mandatory. Also, the student could choose the study of the doctrines of the other 18 Buddhist schools of Krynyany, as well as secular items: science, medicine, astrology, visual art, literature, commerce, management, and so on. Also taught six systems of Hindu philosophy. At the highest building was the observatory. Part of the university training course were lectures, debates, discussions. Xuan Zzan wrote that every day was given 100 lectures. An exemplary discipline reigned at the university.

Even more foreigners came to India in subsequent centuries. Having received a comprehensive education here, having gathered hundreds of most valuable manuscripts, they returned to their homeland, where Buddhist communities were founded, taught Sanskrit's compatriots and translated into their own products of Indian literature. So, Indian culture leaned into the most distant Asian countries.

Now almost all ruins are put in order, and the territory of the complex itself is carefully well maintained and places look like a huge flower garden, with clean tracks, benches, flower beds.

Numerous rooms for the clergy and mentors, grouped around courtyards, were distinguished by the richness of the decoration: painted eaves, carved balustrade, red pillars covered with carvings and painting, on the roofs of glistened and overflowing with thousands of shades. Bright colored tiles.