Tribes in Ancient India c50.401

c50.401

The Vikramaśilā Vihāra was a Buddhist monastery situated on a bluff hill on the right bank of the Ganges, and had sufficient space within it for a congregation of 8,000 men with many temples and buildings. On the top of the projecting steep hill of Pātharghāṭā, there are the remains of a Buddhist monastery, and the space covered by the ruins is large enough to hold an assembly of many thousands of people. This Pātharghāṭā was the ancient Vikramaśilā.⁹ It is said to have included 107 temples and 6 colleges.¹⁰ This University was known for its output of numerous commentaries. It was a centre not only of tāntric learning but of logic and grammar, and is interesting as showing the connection between Bengal and Tibet.¹ King Dharmapāla endowed the University with rich grants sufficing for the maintenance of 108 resident monks, besides numerous non-resident monks and pilgrims. At the head of the University, there was always a most learned and pious sage. Thus, at the time of Dharmapāla, Ācārya Buddhajñānapāda directed the affairs of the University. Grammar, metaphysics (including logic) and ritualistic books were especially studied at Vikramaśilā. On the walls of the University were painted images of paṇḍitas (learned men) eminent for their learning and character. The distinguished scholars of the University received diplomas of paṇḍita from the king himself. The most erudite sages were appointed to guard the gates of the University, which were six in number.