The University of Nalanda c14.14

c14.14

The following tradition¹ narrates the rise of the University: Ācārya Kāmpāla, a learned professor of the school of Buddhist Tantras at Śrī Nālandā, who had obtained the siddhi or perfection in the Mahāmudrā mysticism, was once struck with the features of a bluff, rocky hillock which stood on the bank of the Ganges. Observing its peculiar fitness for the site of a vihāra he remarked that under royal auspices it could be turned into a great place for the use of the saṅgha. By dint of foresight he also knew that at one time there on that hill a great vihāra would be built.