The University of Nalanda c14.6

c14.6

Probably the same knowledge that was expected from a student who wanted to join the Nālandā University was expected from one joining Valabhi. I-Tsing compares Nālandā and Valabhi to Chinma, Shih-chu, Lungmen, and Chiue-li, all famous educational centres of China. Nālandā and Valabhi were, as it were, two store-houses of knowledge and wisdom. These were available to the persons who visited these Universities, but not without struggle which was often very severe. They had to show their skill in refuting doctrines, possible and impossible and many perhaps had to go away with downcast heads, with their brains simmering and hearts rankling with intellectual humiliation. But those who emerged successful from this strife of words, became famous for their wisdom.¹