Tribes in Ancient India c50.390

c50.390

According to Tibetan accounts, the quarter in which the Nālandā University, with its grand library, was located, was called Dharma-gañja (Piety Mart). It consisted of three grand buildings called Ratnasāgara, Ratnodadhi and Ratnarañjaka respectively.¹ Dharmapāla, a native of Kañcipura in Drāviḍa (modern Conjeeveram in Madras) studied at the University of Nālandā and acquired great distinction. In course of time he became the head of the University.² Śīlabhadra, a Brahmin, came of the family of the king of Samataṭa (Bengal). He was a pupil of Dharmapāla, and in course of time he too became the head of the University.³ The Chinese pilgrim, I-tsing, who started for India in 671 A.D., arrived at Tāmralipti at the mouth of the Hooghly in 673 A.D. He studied Buddhist literature at Nālandā.⁴ He relates that venerable and learned priests of the Nālandā monastery used to ride in sedan chairs, never on horseback.⁵