Nava Nalanda Mahavihara:
A Living Legacy of Buddhist Scholarship
Introduction
The
foundation of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM) is laid by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in
1951. This institution continues to shine as a symbol of Buddhist teachings and
India's cultural revival. Settled in Nalanda Biha that is the site of the
historic Nalanda Mahavihara, NNM is continuously working to uphold the rich
heritage of this word famous learning hub. Recognized as a deemed university by
the University Grants Commission (UGC), it offers diverse courses in Buddhist
studies ancient history, and related fields.
Historical Value
The
original Nalanda Mahavihara is founded by Kumaragupta I, a Gupta emperor, in
the 5th century CE. The institution gained fame as a center of education
attracting learners from around the globe. Backed by the Gupta and Pala
dynasties, it became an important hub to study Buddhism. However, its
prominence faded, and invading forces destroyed it in the 12th century. In
1951, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara was established to revive this great tradition of
knowledge. It worked to promote studies in Pali, Buddhism, and related fields.
Academic Programs and
Research
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara serves
a wide variety of academic course for students who are interested in universities
academic programs and researches. Some of them are as follows:
·
Undergraduate
Degrees: Students can earn a
Bachelor of Arts (BA) with honors in fields like Sanskrit, Pali, or Tibetan
Studies.
·
Postgraduate
Degrees: A Master of Arts (MA) is
offered in areas like Buddhist Studies, Ancient History, or Philosophy.
·
Doctoral Studies: The university provides Ph.D. programs in many areas
encouraging detailed research in Buddhist philosophy and related fields.
The
university also offers diploma and certificate courses in languages such as Tibetan,
Japanese, and Chinese to meet growing interest in Asian culture and studies. NNM
researches focuses on how to preserve old manuscripts, explore more and more Buddhist
texts, and understand how Buddhist ideas have evolved over time with culture
evolution.
Campus and Resources
The
campus of NNM lies near the ancient ruins of Nalanda University. The campus
offers students a peaceful environment that let them focus on their learning
and nourish their abilities. The detail description of modern facilities of NNM
campus are as follows:
·
Library: Library hold
more than 60,000 books that includes rare Tibetan texts etc. The library has an
important role in helping students in their academic growth as well as academic
researchers.
·
Computer Lab: Computer Lab in NNM are equipped with the latest
tools and technologies. It supports online education as well as research
projects.
·
Hostels: NNM Campus has separate hostel exists for boys and
girls that ensure all students have a comfortable place to live and study.
·
Sports Facilities: Both Indoor and outdoor sports options are available
for students to stay active and fit while involved in study and research work.
·
Conference Rooms
and Seminar Halls: Both Conference
Rooms as well as Seminar Halls are available to host the academic events,
workshops, and guest lectures also.
These facilities come together
to improve the learning experience at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.
How to Get Admission
Getting the admission
into different programs at NNM depends on your academic background and how you
perform in the required tests:
- Undergraduate Programs: Students need at least 50% marks in
their higher secondary exams and must pass the university's test.
- Postgraduate
Programs: Candidates who want
to apply for the admission in Postgraduate courses must hold a bachelor's
degree in a relevant area and must do well in the university's test.
- Ph.D. Programs: To qualify for the admission in PhD
Programs, candidates should have a master's degree in their field, must pass
an entrance test, and succeed in an interview.
Both merit and financial
need scholarships are available for the students in NNM campus. This aims to
help students from varied backgrounds pursue their studies.
Contributions to Buddhist
Studies
Nava
Nalanda Mahavihara plays an important role in sharing Buddhist knowledge around
the world. It allows students and scholars from various countries to work
together to study Buddhism. The university’s research offers people a deeper
understanding of Buddhist texts, rituals, and practices. NNM also organizes
events such as the Global Buddhist Conference to promote conversations and the
exchange of thoughts among experts worldwide.
Looking to the Future
Nava
Nalanda Mahavihara have an aim to expand and enrich its academic offerings as
well as research area in the coming years. It seeks to introduce programs in
areas such as Buddhist Heritage and Tourism Management to align with current
interests and worldwide trends. The institution also hopes to strengthen
connections with global universities to enhance its reputation as a leading
center to study Buddhist culture.
Conclusion
Nava
Nalanda Mahavihara shows India’s long-standing academic traditions and its
effort to keep Buddhist studies thriving. It provides various courses, promotes
research, and collaborates with global organizations. These initiatives help
NNM uphold the legacy of the historic Nalanda Mahavihara. NNM builds an
encouraging space to learn and delve into Buddhist philosophy and ancient Indian
knowledge.
Related Keywords:
- Admission steps at Nava Nalanda
Mahavihara
- Studying Buddhist teachings across
India
- How education worked in ancient India
- Courses to learn Pali language
- Programs that highlight Tibetan
studies
- History behind Nalanda Mahavihara's
creation
- Researching ideas in Buddhist
philosophy
- University facilities available in
Bihar
- International students joining Nava Nalanda Mahavihara