The University of Nalanda c12.15

c12.15

The above was the usual mode of Caityavandana. But at Nālandā, the same worship was performed in a slightly different manner because it was difficult to assemble a large number of priests in one place. At Nālandā, therefore, the worship was performed in the following manner. “Every day,” says I-Tsing, “it is customary to send out one precentor to go round from place to place chanting hymns, being preceded by monastic lay servants and children carrying with them incense and flowers. He goes from one hall to another, and in each he chants the service, every time three or five ślokas in a high tone and the sound is heard all around. At twilight he would finish his duty.”²