#library of nalanda

[academiaandarson]

The library of Alexandria, the library of Nalanda, the various Tamil Scriptures that were burnt and destroyed, the various books burnt, author's killed, scientists murdered, poet's forgotten i will never stop thinking about them. Mourning them.

I'll never stop seething over the fact that foolish fanatics have the privilege of ignorance. The privilege of never knowing guilt or remorse for the damages they've inflicted on the rest of the world. The way these people never really face any consequences..

If there's anything unfair about this world, it's the hatred that crowns the ignorant head. The hatred that somehow makes him gain gullible followers.

[baby-its-freezing-outside]

Not to say that the burning of the Library of Alexandria was in any way less tragic or devastating, but I'm kinda tired about the way it's all presented. Sure it was something horrible that Caesar did, but can we talk about a different thing that doesn't even get mentioned? Can we talk about Nalanda with its 9 million books that burnt for three entire months? Can we talk about the scope of this cruelty that the western world just seems to be ignorant of? It happened in the 1190s when invader Bakhtiar Khilji ordered the whole place be set on fire, enraged that Buddhist monks possessed more knowledge about medicine than his own doctors.

[tiet1234]

Discover the exceptional Nava Nalanda Central Library at TIET Thapar University. With its stunning architecture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, it's a haven for knowledge seekers. Step into a world of digital resources, including an impressive collection of over 2 lakh e-books.

[daaft-prick-69]

These desert cult mofos love burning up books.

[collegetour2]

Nalanda University Distance Education

A university with no barriers Nalanda University distance education offers limitless possibilities. Get the edge to reach the top with flexible timings and excellent faculty. Explore the courses offered by Nalanda University Distance Education to find the perfect program for you. You are just a step away from success.

[desikanya]

Nalanda: knowledge and history that was burnt to ashes

Origins of Nalanda University:

Nalanda University was founded in the 5th century CE, during the reign of the Gupta Empire, which is often referred to as a golden age of Indian culture and learning. The university was established by Kumaragupta I, a Gupta emperor, and it quickly became a prominent center for Buddhist studies. The name "Nalanda" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Nala" (lotus) and "da" (giver), symbolizing the university as a giver of knowledge.

Glory During the Gupta Empire:

Under the Gupta Empire, Nalanda flourished as a major center of learning and attracted students and scholars from various regions, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Southeast Asia. The university was renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, which included subjects such as philosophy, logic, grammar, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and the arts. The institution was characterized by its impressive architecture, with numerous monasteries, temples, and libraries, and it is estimated to have housed around 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers at its peak.

Great Indian Scholars:

Nalanda was home to many great Indian scholars, including:

Nagarjuna (c. 150–250 CE): A pivotal philosopher in Mahayana Buddhism, Nagarjuna is best known for developing the concept of "emptiness" (śūnyatā) and founding the Madhyamaka school of thought, which emphasized the middle path between existence and non-existence.

Vasubandhu (c. 4th–5th century CE): A prominent philosopher and one of the founders of the Yogacara school of Buddhism, Vasubandhu made significant contributions to Buddhist philosophy and psychology. His works, including the "Abhidharmakosa," are foundational texts in Buddhist studies.

Dharmakirti (c. 7th century CE): An influential logician and epistemologist, Dharmakirti's writings on logic and perception shaped Buddhist philosophy and had a lasting impact on Indian and Tibetan thought.

Shantarakshita (c. 8th century CE): A philosopher and abbot of Nalanda, Shantarakshita played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism in Tibet and is known for his works on logic and philosophy.

Visits from Monks and Scholars:

Nalanda became a melting pot of cultures and ideas, drawing many eminent scholars and monks. Notable figures include:

Xuanzang (Hsuan-tsang): A Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India in the 7th century to study at Nalanda. His detailed accounts of his journey and the teachings he encountered are invaluable historical documents that provide insight into the university's operations and the broader cultural context of the time.

Yijing (I-tsing): Another Chinese monk who visited Nalanda in the late 7th century, Yijing studied Sanskrit and Buddhist texts and later wrote about his experiences, contributing to the understanding of Buddhist practices and education in India.

Atisha: A Tibetan scholar who studied at Nalanda in the 11th century, Atisha played a crucial role in the transmission of Buddhism to Tibet.

Books and Manuscripts:

Nalanda was renowned for its vast library, known as Dharmaganja, which housed thousands of manuscripts and texts on various subjects. Scholars at Nalanda produced and preserved a wealth of knowledge, including commentaries on Buddhist scriptures, philosophical treatises, and scientific works. The library was said to contain texts in multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan, making it a crucial repository of knowledge in ancient India.

Destruction of Nalanda:

The destruction of Nalanda University in the late 12th century was a catastrophic event that not only marked the end of one of the world's oldest centers of learning but also resulted in the irrevocable loss of a vast repository of knowledge. The university, which had flourished for several centuries, was renowned for its extensive library, Dharmaganja, which housed thousands of manuscripts covering a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and Buddhist texts.

The library was said to have been so vast that it took months to burn all the manuscripts after the invasion, symbolizing the immense loss of intellectual heritageThe invasion by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 was a turning point for Nalanda. Khilji's forces not only destroyed the physical structures of the university but also targeted the scholars and monks who had dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge.

Many were killed, while others fled to different regions,the destruction of Nalanda also meant that many original texts and commentaries were lost forever, resulting in a significant gap in the historical and philosophical understanding. The tragedy of Nalanda serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of knowledge and the importance of preserving cultural and intellectual heritage.

[hindupunk]

Barbaric islamic invaders who burnt hindu books.

tw: communists please don't get hurt while reading this.

It was the common policy of Islamic invaders to destroy & BURN Hindu/Buddhist/Jain books & libraries to decimate Dharmic knowledge systems. From Allauddin Khilji who burnt the famous library at Anhalwara Pattan to Firoz Shah Tughluq who burnt the library at Kohana down to Aurangzeb who burnt Hindu books wherever he got the chance.

We know Nalanda's 9-storied Ratnadadhi library was reduced to rubble by Bakhtiyar Khalji. But an even bigger library existed at the Odantapuri Vihara which contained a vast amount of Hindu & Buddhist manuscripts. Odantapuri is specifically mentioned as being destroyed & burnt by Khalji's general Mohammed Bin Sam in Islamic primary source Tabaqat e Nasiri of Minhaj ul Siraj. Odanatpuri's library & complex was much bigger than even Nalanda or Bodh Gaya.

The legacy of Islamic invaders in India is full of violent destruction, decimation & horror designed to uproot the entire foundation of Indic civilization. The J!h-ad1 Ghazi mode of operation was always to destroy knowledge never embrace it.

[room-surprise]

So cool! Excerpts:

Founded in 427 CE, Nalanda is considered the world's first residential university, a sort of medieval Ivy League institution home to nine million books that attracted 10,000 students from across Eastern and Central Asia. They gathered here to learn medicine, logic, mathematics and – above all – Buddhist principles from some of the era's most revered scholars.

Monarchs of the Gupta Empire that founded the Buddhist monastic university were devout Hindus, but sympathetic and accepting towards Buddhism and the growing Buddhist intellectual fervour and philosophical writings of the time. The liberal cultural and religious traditions that evolved under their reign would form the core of Nalanda's multidisciplinary academic curriculum, which blended intellectual Buddhism with a higher knowledge in different fields. 

Aryabhata, considered the father of Indian mathematics, is speculated to have headed the university in the 6th Century CE. "We believe that Aryabhata was the first to assign zero as a digit, a revolutionary concept, which simplified mathematical computations and helped evolve more complex avenues such as algebra and calculus," said Anuradha Mitra, a Kolkata-based professor of mathematics. "Without zero, we wouldn't have computers," she added. "He also did pioneering works in extracting square and cubic roots, and applications of trigonometrical functions to spherical geometry. He was also the first to attribute radiance of the moon to reflected sunlight." 

The library's nine million handwritten, palm-leaf manuscripts was the richest repository of Buddhist wisdom in the world, and one of its three library buildings was described by Tibetan Buddhist scholar Taranatha as a nine-storey building "soaring into the clouds".

History is so fucking cool. I love stumbling across articles that teach me incredible details about things I only knew about in a very general sense (there were important centers of learning in India!). Learning mundane things like "universities have always had students sharing rooms" is just fascinating to me.

One of the small rooms that lined the courtyard where students from as far away as Afghanistan lived. Two alcoves facing each other were meant to hold oil lamps and personal belongings, and Singh explained that the small, square-shaped hollow near the entrance of the cell served as each student's personal letterbox. 

How cool is that!!!

[h0bg0blin-meat]

YOU BETTER

The throuple 🗿💅

I got one better

Library of Alexandria x Nalanda x Takshashila

Shared trauma trope

ENOUGH I'M ASCENDING WITH THESE SHIPS

[esmeraywrites]

'Cause we need Indian Dark Academia (though this is more chaotic academia)

*Imagine sitting by window with a good book on Indian myths (krishna? ramayan?) ad draped in a good shawl while its raining outside

*Imagine browsing through you history and past on a wooden bench that belonged to your grandfather with your laptop and loads of old writings from your grandfather's notes wearing a woolen sweater

*Imagine getting annoyed by your uniform so yu try different haristyles and stickers(tikli) each time.

*Imagine getting tea in those tea cups from the tiny tea shop and going to a part watching kids play badminton and you can smell the dried leaves.

*Imagine wearing payal and long skirt with desi style blouse and having bangles along with a bag made from home as you go to a library but you need to be over 18 to borrow so you sit there and finish reading and its midnight by the time you are done so you run back home with messy notes and pen marks on your face.

*Imagine wanting to learn sanskrit or prakrit but hindi or telugu or your own mother tongue is enough of a headache as it is and your parents tell you to get good marks in those first so you pretend like you are learning sanskrit or prakrit while practicing for your tests.

*Imagine you have an exam tomorrow so you stay up till midnight thinking and dreaming of going to all these western dark academia themes and then think 'imagine if nalanda still existed' and an impromptu searching up which ends past midnight.

*Imagine you have strict parents so you write your boyfriend secrets letters since you can't meet him while trying to feel like a class heroine and behave pretentiously all day (bonus: parents get mad because you are searching for dark academia cloths but find none and end up with all these mismatched go on nothing ones)

*Imagine going to streetside stores and buying small trinklets from there because walking or going to shops isn't allowed all that much in your society

*Imagine going to the same old one local museum (for me Salar Jung ) so many times you can be appointed a tour guide at this point (bonus:making a list of all the other museums you wish and swear to yourself you will go to when you grow up and if lucky before)

[momentsandmusingsbyjanaki]

Travelling Around Northern India Aboard a Special Train

Our adventure began at the Safdarjung railway station, from where the Buddhist Circuit Special Train, an exclusive air-conditioned train for Buddhist circuit destinations organized by the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited), commenced.

The unexpected highlight of our departure was the warm red-carpet welcome. We were greeted with flowers, snacks, and the melodious tunes of Indian musicians playing the tabla, flute, and organ.

Our first destination was Gaya, 1089 km from Delhi, which we covered in approximately 18 hours. Our full journey took us across Northern India and into Nepal, encompassing all the prominent locations connected to the life of Gautama Buddha. These destinations included Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar, and Sravasti, with our final stop in Agra to witness the breathtaking Taj Mahal. In total, we traversed over 2600 kilometers.

Another enchanting experience awaited us during our boat ride on the holy Ganga River in Varanasi, where we observed the Aarti festival. On the riverbanks, thousands of people paid their respects to Mother Ganga through music and prayer.

Complementing this incredible journey, the train itself offered a unique experience with its clean berths, a multi-cuisine restaurant (the masala tea being a particularly memorable highlight), a mini-library, and even a foot massager on board.

I am delighted by the exceptional on-board and off-board services, the superb hotel accommodations, quality transportation facilities, a meticulously planned itinerary, and an English-speaking tourist guide who was always ready and eager to assist us. The safety and security we experienced throughout the journey were equally commendable and reassuring. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to IRCTC for providing us with this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[chaos-utopia]

QOTD: If you could go back in time to any period in recorded human history (no prehistoric) as an observer who can't interact with anyone (think spectator mode in Minecraft), when would you pick?

Actually i have thought about this. I don't remember the years, but I want to go back around the time where chandragupta maurya was the ruler in India, and chanakya was still alive. Honestly the last bit is just because I watched the tv show and he seems cool but it still stands

They say that taxila and nalanda were the greatest universities, with libraries like that of Alexandia, but they all burned when the khiljis invaded so I'd like to see what it was really like back then.

Edit: Around 279 BCE

[buddhabeings]

In the annals of India's illustrious past, there emerged a revered seat of wisdom known as The Nalanda University. Like a radiant sun, it illuminated the minds of countless seekers who flocked to its hallowed halls.

Established during the Gupta Dynasty in the 5th century, its foundations were laid under the benevolent patronage of King Shakraditra. For six centuries, Nalanda flourished, nurtured by the Pala Dynasty, until a dark hour befell it in 1203, when Islamic invader Bakhtiyar Khilji brought devastation upon its sacred grounds. At the time, Nalanda University is said to have contained nine million text of knowledge.

Yet, amid the ashes of destruction, Nalanda's legacy endured. Its revered master, Shakyashribhadra, sought refuge in distant Tibet, preserving the wisdom of generations. What we know today as Tibetan Buddhism, is actually this preserved tradition of the Great 17 Masters of Nalanda University. So Tibetan Buddhism can also be referred as The Nalanda Tradition.

During its active days and over the centuries, this esteemed institution attracted scholars from distant lands, beckoning minds from Greece, Persia, China, and Tibet. While Buddhism remained at its core, Nalanda embraced a comprehensive array of disciplines, from astronomy and medicine to grammar and metaphysics.

Its vast library, adorned with three majestic nine-story buildings, housed an astonishing wealth of knowledge, with millions of titles and volumes spanning an array of profound subjects.

The tales of Nalanda's grandeur live on through the accounts of Chinese pilgrims who witnessed its intellectual splendor in the 7th century. Their travelogues depict a bustling institution teeming with enlightened pursuits, a sanctuary where scholars and seekers could explore the profound depths of knowledge and transcend cultural boundaries.

In the realm of wisdom, Nalanda shone as a beacon, uniting minds from diverse lands in a quest for enlightenment and intellectual growth. Though its physical form may have crumbled, its influence and contribution to humanity's intellectual tapestry endure, forever etched in the annals of history.

[inspirationallybored]

It genuinely confuses me when people say that books shouldn't be politically inclined, when it already is.

Like, writing was introduced to share and preserve ideas, to transcend time and place, that's what manifestos do today, and records did back then. The Grimm brothers recorded German folklore to preserve it, and Polish writers protected the language against the Russian monopoly. Even poetry and music are rhythmic and symbolic ways to let ideas flow in the wind.

People wrote to revolutionize, and to criticize revolution. Be it Rosseau, Marx or even dictators like Adolf, they used writing to influence the general population. The written word travelled far, influencing even those halfway across the world.

In today's time, dystopian novels like 'The Hunger Games', or books like 'Animal Farm' serve as warnings as to what would happen if the government becomes too powerful, be it capitalists or communists.

Not to forget that the Nalanda Library was burned by Bhaktiyar Khilji due to the knowledge it and its scholars possessed, and is still mourned along with the Library of Alexandria for the loss of knowledge due to political conquest.

Now, that is not to say that you cannot enjoy reading and/or writing just for the fun of it, to be indulgent or to be transported to a different world. But to say that that's its only purpose is ignorant. Dante's 'Divine Comedy' is pretty much his self-insert fanfiction with his favourite as well as most hated people, and it's ok to read it like that, but it is also defiance of 'classism in writing ' by being written in Italian instead of Latin like most books back then, and a perspective against the Greek Pagan.

Reading is exploring different views of the world, and that includes political ones too, whether one likes it or not. Reading as a recreational activity is one thing, but erasing the impact it had at large is erasing its very core, and is in fact, its own form of erasure and political assertion.

"Reading isn't political" except that it always has been.

[career-pathways]

Top 5 Nursing Colleges in Bihar

Bihar has emerged as a quality place for nursing education, making it a gateway to exciting careers in healthcare. Candidates seeking the best colleges offer academic excellence, practical experience, and career opportunities. A blog is written to reveal the top 5 colleges for nursing in Bihar while focusing on their unique features and advantages. Among these, there is Ambedkar College of Education, which believes in the shaping of efficient and compassionate health care workers.

1. Ambedkar College of Education

Ambedkar College of Education, at Patna, is considered one of the best in Bihar for nursing education. The college has developed a special niche in its pursuit for academic excellence with hands-on training. Students who would like to enter the healthcare business prefer this college. If you are looking for the top nursing college in Bihar, especially if you reside in the Rohtas district, it could be a great choice to pursue any nursing course, whether it is B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing, ANM, GNM, or Post Basic Nursing.

Key features of Ambedkar College of Education

Comprehensive Curriculum: This college will have a curriculum that caters to all aspects of nursing, from anatomy, physiology, pharmacology to community health.

Experienced Faculty: The institution has a pool of highly qualified and experienced educators to help students succeed.

State-of-the-Art Labs, Libraries, and Simulation Centers: The college offers hands-on practical experience with high-tech labs, libraries, and simulation centers.

Good Placement Opportunities: Ambedkar College of Education boasts a strong placement cell that deals with leading hospitals and other healthcare organizations to provide students with ample career opportunities.

Holistic Development: The college emphasizes the overall development of students, offering extracurricular activities, workshops, and community service programs.

2. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna

Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) is a renowned name in the health education sector in Bihar. The institute provides a B.Sc. Nursing course that is highly regarded for its intense training and well-rounded curriculum.

Key Features:

It is affiliated with recognized universities and is accredited by the Indian Nursing Council.

It has sophisticated training facilities and exposure to clinical practices.

It offers internship opportunities in the IGIMS hospital, which gives students hands-on experience.

3. Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH)

One of the oldest and most reputed medical institutes in Bihar, Patna Medical College and Hospital, or PMCH, prepares skilled professionals to work successfully in various health care setups.

Key Points

The faculty is very experienced and the medical resources are huge.

Practical exposure at one of the most hectic hospitals of Bihar.

The nursing practice will be promoted through research and innovation.

4. Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna

Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) provides the best nursing programs with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It is known for quality education and clinical training.

Highlights

Well-structured nursing programs that meet national standards.

Access to advanced medical facilities for hands-on training.

Strong focus on community health and patient care.

5. Magadh Nursing College, Gaya

The other major institution offering quality nursing education is Magadh Nursing College, Gaya. With a student-centered approach, the college helps students become successful in the nursing career.

Highlights:

Experienced faculty and supportive learning environment

Well-equipped labs and modern classrooms

Opportunities for clinical training in reputed hospitals

Why Choose Nursing as a Career?

Nursing is a noble and rewarding profession, playing a vital role in the healthcare system. The following are some reasons why nursing is an excellent career choice:

High Demand: The healthcare sector is growing rapidly, and thus there is a constant demand for skilled nurses worldwide.

Job Security: Nursing offers excellent job stability and numerous employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.

Opportunities for Growth: Nurses can specialize in different areas such as pediatric nursing, surgical nursing, and critical care, which opens career advancement opportunities.

Making a Difference: Nurses have the ability to make a difference in patients’ lives by caring and showing compassion during challenging times.

How to Choose the Right Nursing College?

Choosing the right nursing college is crucial for a successful career. Here are some factors to consider:

Accreditation: Ensure the college is recognized by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and affiliated with a reputable university.

Infrastructure: Look for colleges with modern facilities like labs, libraries, and simulation centers.

Faculty: Experienced and qualified faculty members play a significant role in shaping your education.

Clinical Exposure: Practical training in reputed hospitals is essential for gaining real-world experience.

Placement Opportunities: Choose a college with a strong placement record to secure a good job after graduation.

Conclusion

Bihar is blessed with several great nursing colleges that offer good education and career opportunities. Of them, Ambedkar College of Education stands unique with its commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development. A blend of theoretical knowledge, practical training, and strong placement support makes this an ideal choice for nursing aspirants. If you’re looking to build a rewarding career in nursing, explore these top colleges and take the first step towards achieving your dreams. Choose wisely and invest in a college that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

[newsriveting]

Vishnu Deo Sai lays foundation stone for Chhattisgarh’s biggest library in Raigarh

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai along with other dignitaries at the foundation laying function of Nalanda Parisar Team News Riveting Raipur, December 3 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for state’s biggest library in Raigarh. The fully equipped Nalanda Campus at Marine Drive in Raigarh will be a state-of-the-art library. It will be the biggest…