The great difficulty in education is to get experience out of ideas. -George Santayana

India enjoyed a prominent position in all spheres of life, be it social, education or economics. The following are the few prominent Buddhist institutions .

1. TAXILA:- Taxila was the capital of Gandhar kingdom. Taxila has been described as the first university established as the globe in 7th century BCE (before common era). Hiuen Tsang in his records mentioned the University of Taxila to be at par with Nalanda and Vikramshila universities.

Taxila was an important centre of Brahmanical education , it maintained its stature even during the Buddhism in Northern India. It had attracted many students from other nations.  Taxila university was famous for medical studies. Panini, the well known grammarian, kautilya, the minister of Chandragupta Maurya ,and Charaka, a medical teacher of repute had been part of it.

There was no populary organized institution or university. Usually, for  admission, the minimum age was more than sixteen years. There was no exam system, so there were no degrees or diplomas. The main branches were Vedatrayi ( three Vedas), Vedanta, Vyakaran, Ayurveda, eighteen Sippas (crafts),  military education, astronomy, agriculture, commerce, snake bite cure, etc.

It was popular as training centre in Indian Military Science. Charaka was an expert in Surgery and Medicine was it’s main product. There was no caste distinction.  Taxila had been influenced by Greek culture also.

2. NALANDA ( BIHAR) :- it is located near Rajgriha in the province of Bihar, it has been the birth place of Sariputta, a favorite disciple of Lord Buddha, who is closely linked with Mahayana.  It was a Buddhist centre of learning from 427 CE( common era)  to 1197 CE. It has been known as ‘one of the first great universities ‘ in recorded history.

A historians writes, “The University of Nalanda was the educational centre of international moral comparable in the universalism of its thought, the wide range of its studies, the international character of its community to the greatest universities of modern time like Oxford, Cambridge, Paris and Harvard “.       It is stated that at one time there were 10,000 monks staying at Nalanda. Of these, 1510 were teachers and the remaining 8500 were students belonging to various levels of attainments and studying various subjects.

It’s real importance begins with the year 450 CE.  Then it was important for three centuries.  Hiuen Tsang came here in 7th century CE.  It progressed a lot during Gupta dynasty.  In the year 2010, Nalanda University was set up in Bihar as a central university with Japan,  China,  Thailand,  Laos,  Singapore, Australia by collaborating in various manners.  this university was also renowned for it’s cosmopolitan and catholic character , the University of Nalanda was famous for its “faculty of logic”

Eight big halls named as Samgharama and the three hundred study chambers have been the main attraction. The Kulpati or chancellor of the University was Shilbadra who had studied all Sutras and Shastras books.  There were three methods of teaching, namely verbal and explanatory, lectures, and debates and discussions.

The university had a very big library corresponding to its reputation that had nine storeys. The library had three departments known as ‘Ratna sagar’.  Nalanda made unique contributions to the evolution, expansion and refinement of indian culture. Bakhtiar khilzi put the University towards destruction by the end of 12th century CE.

3. VALABHI :- Hiuen Tsang,  I- Tsing,  had found Valabhi in the western side of India as glorious as Nalanda. It was not just a centre of religious education as of other secular subjects,  such as Arthasastra( economics) , Niti-shastra ( Law) and Chikitsa –     Sastra (medicine) were also taught here.  It was mainly the centre for Hinayana form of Buddhism. Valabhi was  running in good financial position till 755 CE but some portion were destroyed due to ‘Arab invasion’. it still continued till 12th century.

4. VIKRAMSHILA :- it was set up and established by the Emperor Dharampala of Pal dynasty in the 8th century in Northern Magadha on the bank of the river Gangas. This university was famous for religious teachings and here 108 scholars were appointed as the incharge and Acharyas of the various temples.  It attracted a large number of scholars from Tibet,  who came there for higher studies. The University was later organized into six colleges. The Central Building was called the Vigyan Bhawan. A Dwar pandit was appointed at the main gate.

The main subjects of study were Vyakaran, Logic, philosophy, Tantra Shastra and Karamkanda. Later on Tantra Shastra gained prominence. Degrees were conferred on the graduates and post-graduates at the time of Samavartana ( Convocation) by the rulers of Bengal. It was destroyed by Bhaktiyar Khilji in 1203 CE.  Thus a mighty educational centre fell.  The University of Vikramshila was renowned for Tantric Buddhism.

5. ODANTAPURI :- This university had been established long before the kings of Pala dynasty came Itno power in Magadha. Odantpuri could not attain that level of fame and repute which either Nalanda or Vikramshila had accomplished. Still nearly 1000 monks and students resided end received education there. It attracted students from Tibet too.

6. Jagaddala :- Pal king, Raja Ram Pal of Bengal constructed a monastery and named it as Jagaddala. It remained as the centre of Buddhist education for about 100 years. It was again destroyed during invasion in 1203 CE.

7. MITHILA :- in the Upanishadic age, Mithila became a prominent seat of Brahmanical education.  It was named as Videha.  It continued with its glory from Raja Janak upto Buddhist period.  Later on this place produced devotees of Lord Krishna.  Famous poet Vidyapati, who had written in Hindi and Jaideo,  a prominent poet of Sanskrit literature was born here. From 12th century to 15th century, besides literature and fine arts scientific subjects were also taught there.  Even upto time of the emperor Akbar, it continued to flourish as an important centre of education and culture.

8. NADIA :- Situated at the confluence of Ganga and Jalangi rivers in Bengal , it was formally called Navadweep. Education in Nadia university was imparted as three centres namely Navadweep, Shantipur and Gopaalpura. The lyrics of  Gita Govind by Jaideva reverberated here.

9. UJJAIN :- it was famous for its secular learning including mathematics  and astronomy.

10. SALOTGI :- Salotgi in Karnataka was an important centre of learning. It had 27 hostels for its students who hailed from different provinces.  This college was richly endowed in 945 CE by Narayana the minister of Krishna 3rd with the revenue of houses, Land and levies on marriages and other ceremonies.

11. ENNAYIRAM :- ENNAYIRAM in Tamilnadu and provided free Boarding and tuition to 340 students.  Other important centres of learning in South India were Sringeri  and Kanchi.

Wish you good luck for my readers. Thank you.

Editor in Chief :-Sanchit Raj.        Team Manager :- Pankhuri.