Guptas: Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Centers of Learning in Ancient India: Nalanda, Vikramashila, and Vallabhi

• With the rise of Buddhism in India, numerous centers of learning emerged that were previously non-existent. Buddhist monks had the option to choose between a life of meditation in the forests or a life dedicated to teaching, preaching, and propagating the Dharma.
• As a result of the efforts of these teaching monks, various seats of learning, known as Pirivenas, began to develop. Over time, some of these Pirivenas evolved into full-fledged universities. Consequently, Buddhist India became home to several major universities that gained widespread fame.

Among these were:

• Nalanda
• Vikramashila
• Odantapuri
• Somapura
• Jagadalaka
• Vallabhi

Nalanda University

• Nalanda University was a renowned center of learning in ancient India, known for its contribution to Buddhist studies and other fields.

Vallabhi University

• Vallabhi University was as famous as Nalanda and was a center for Hinayana Buddhism.

Key Points about Vallabhi University:

• Founded by the Maitraka kings in Western India.
• Notable for its large population, wealth, and numerous millionaire families.
• Home to over 100 monasteries and around 6,000 Buddhist monks, primarily of the Sammitiya Sect.
• Had a diverse curriculum including Comparative Religion, Hindu Philosophy, and various schools of Buddhism.

Hieum Tsang’s Visit to Vallabhi:

• Hieum Tsang visited Vallabhi in the 7th century and described it as a prosperous city with a large population and many millionaire families.
• He noted the presence of over 100 monasteries and about 6,000 Buddhist monks, most of whom belonged to the Sammitiya Sect.
• Vallabhi was also home to many Hindu temples and a large Hindu population.

I-Tsing’s Record:

• I-Tsing mentioned that Vallabhi attracted foreign students from various lands, indicating its international recognition.
• The university had a large library funded by the king, and precedence was given to Sammitiya doctrines.

Curriculum and Influence:

• The course of studies at Vallabhi included various subjects such as Politics, Law, Agriculture, Economics, and different schools of Buddhism.
• Graduates of Vallabhi showcased their skills in front of royalty and prominent figures.
• The Elders Gunamoti and Sthiramatic, who were alumni of Nalanda, played a significant role in Vallabhi's establishment and teaching.
• Vallabhi followed the Nalanda model in many aspects and flourished from 475 to 1200 A.C. before being destroyed by Muslim invaders.

Vikramshila University

Establishment and Historical Context:

• Vikramshila University, located in present-day Antichak, Bhagalpur district, Bihar, was one of the two most significant centers of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala Empire, alongside Nalanda University.
• Founded by King Dharmapala (783 to 820 AD) in response to a perceived decline in scholarship at Nalanda, Vikramshila aimed to uphold and enhance the quality of Buddhist education.

Destruction and Historical Records:

• Vikramshila University thrived for about four centuries before its destruction around 1200 AD by Bakhtiyar Khilji during conflicts with the Sena dynasty, similar to the fate of other major Buddhist centers in India.
• Our knowledge of Vikramshila primarily comes from Tibetan sources, particularly the writings of Taranatha, a Tibetan monk historian from the 16th-17th centuries.

Five Great Mahaviharas:

• During the Pala period, several monasteries emerged, with Vikramashila being the premier university of the era.
• The five great Mahaviharas were Vikramashila, Nalanda, Somapura, Odantapura (established by King Gopala of the Pala dynasty), and Jagaddala.

Network and Coordination:

• The five monasteries operated as a network under state supervision, with a system of coordination among them.
• Great scholars frequently moved between these institutions, reflecting their interconnectedness.

Subjects and Specialization:

• Vikramshila offered a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and Indian logic.
• However, the most important branch of learning at Vikramshila was tantrism, particularly Vajrayana Buddhism.

Tantric Preceptors:

• Vikramshila employed renowned Tantric preceptors, with Buddhajnanapad, Dipankarabhadra, and Jayabadhra being notable figures.
• Buddhajnanapad and Dipankarabhadra were active during King Dharmapala’s reign, while Jayabadhra, active in the 9th century, was the first prominent commentator on the Cakrasamvara tantra in Vajrayana Buddhism.

Organisation of Vikramasila Mahavihara

• Abbot (Adhyakṣa): The head of the monastery.
• Six Gate Protectors or Gate Scholars (Dvarapala or Dvarapaṇḍita): Responsible for guarding the eastern, western, central (first and second), northern, and southern gates.
• Great Scholars (Mahapaṇḍita): Senior scholars with significant expertise.
• Scholars (Paṇḍit): Approximately 108 scholars contributing to the monastery's academic environment.
• Professors or Teachers (Upadhyaya or Acharya): About 160 teachers, including the scholars, responsible for imparting knowledge.
• Resident Monks (Bhikhhu): About 1,000 monks living in the monastery.

Stupa in Vikramasila

• Main Stupa: The central stupa at Vikramasila is a brick structure built with mud mortar, intended for worship, and is located at the center of the square monastery.
• Wall Carvings: The walls of the stupa's terraces are adorned with mouldings and terracotta plaques, showcasing the advanced terracotta art of the Pal period (8th to 12th centuries).
• Depictions: The plaques feature various Buddhist deities such as Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, Manjusri, Maitreya, Jambala, Marichi, and Tara, as well as scenes from Buddhism, social and hunting activities, and figures of Nath deities like Adinath/Vishnu, Paddabati/Parvati, Ardhanarisvara, and Hanuman.
• Figures: Numerous human figures such as ascetics, yogis, preachers, drummers, warriors, archers, snake charmers, etc., along with animals like monkeys, elephants, horses, deer, boar, panthers, lions, wolves, and birds are also depicted in the carvings.

Odantapuri

• Odantapuri, located in Magadha about 6 miles from Nalanda, was considered the second oldest university in India.
• Acharya Sri Ganga of Vikramasila was a former student of Odantapuri before becoming a teacher there.
• King Gopala (660-705) was the patron who helped establish Odantapuri.
• Tibetan records suggest that Odantapuri had around 12,000 students, but detailed information about the university is limited.
• Like other universities of the time, Odantapuri fell victim to Muslim invaders who mistook the university for a fortress due to its high walls and misidentified the Buddhist monks as idolaters.

Somapura Mahavihara

• Somapura Mahavihara, located in present-day Bangladesh, was established by King Devapala (810-850 CE).
• The ruins of Somapura cover an area of about 1 square mile, featuring a large gate surrounded by a high wall.
• The site includes around 177 cells for monks, shrines, image houses, a common refectory, and a kitchen.
• Somapura flourished for approximately 750 years before being abandoned following the Muslim invasion.

Jagaddala

• Jagaddala University was founded by King Ramapala (1077-1129) and was one of the largest construction projects of the Pala Kings.
• The university was a major center for the study and dissemination of Tantric Buddhism, following the traditions of Nalanda.
• According to Tibetan sources, many texts were translated into Tibetan at Jagaddala, and the Buddhist teacher Sakya Sri Bhadra studied there.
• Sakya Sri Bhadra, who played a significant role in propagating Tantric Buddhism in Tibet, spent seven years at Jagaddala.
• Jagaddala was sacked and destroyed by Muslim invaders in 1027.