History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c13.s1.17

c13.s1.17

Nalanda monastery, to give his discourse. The Master of the Law, anticipating Martin Luther, announced the subject to the assembled people by a placard nailed outside the hall, which stated: "If there is any one who can find a single word in the proposition contrary to reason, or is able to entangle (the argument) then at the request of the opponent, I offer my head as a recompense."¹ There was none to take up the challenge and Yuan Chwang remained in undisputed possession of the field until night, when very well satisfied at the event Harṣa retired with others, having declared the assembly adjourned. The next morning they again escorted the image as before, and thus five days elapsed when the "unbelievers of the Little Vehicle," mortified at the overthrow of their system of beliefs, entered into a conspiracy to take the life of the Chinese pilgrim. Scenting that his celebrated guest's life was in danger at the hand of theological rivals, the royal patron at once issued a threatening proclamation that "if any one should hurt or touch the Master of the Law, he shall be forthwith beheaded; and whoever speaks against him, his tongue shall be cut out; but all those who desire to profit by his instruction, relying on my goodwill, need not fear this manifesto."² This stern announcement had the desired effect; and we are frankly told by the pilgrim's biographer that "from this time the followers of error withdrew and disappeared, so that when eighteen days had passed there had been no one to enter on the discussion.”¹