The University of Nalanda c15.17

c15.17

The biographer has given a graphic description of his (Hiuen Tsiang's) life at Nālandā. After the pilgrim was relieved of the fatigue of the journey, he was taken to Śīlabhadra, the head of the University. To him, Hiuen Tsiang disclosed his object in coming to the University, viz., to learn the principles of Yogaśāstra from Śīlabhadra himself, and then requested him to receive him (Hiuen Tsiang) as a pupil. The request being granted, he was taken to the college of Bālāditya-rāja (Narasimhagupta) and took his residence in the dwelling of Buddhabhadra, having four storeys (or, the fourth storey), who entertained him for seven days. After this, he went to reside in the dwelling to the north of the abode of Dharmapāla, where he was provided with every sort of charitable offering. Each day, he received 120 Jambiras, 20 Pinbong-tseu (pūga, areca nut), 20 tau kau (nutmegs), an ounce of camphor and a ching (peek) of Mahāśāli rice. “This rice,” says Hwui Li, “is as large as