Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c32.s1.14

c32.s1.14

It has been found that this monastery had been repeatedly built over through successive ages and that at least five distinct monasteries have stood at different periods upon this spot. The lowest and oldest structure has yielded numerous antiquities comprising large sculptures and statuettes in stone and metal, attesting the high quality of the art. The finds at this site include multiple examples of the official seal of the Nālandā establishment, of the Śrī-Nālandā-Mahāvihara-Ārya-Bhikshu-Saṁghasya or "Venerable Community of Monks in the Great Vīhāra of Śrī-Nālandā". The Nālandā official seal curiously shows the same insignia as that of the monastery at Sārnāth, viz. the Wheel of Dharma flanked by two gazelles.