The University of Nalanda c2.5

c2.5

There are many points of contact between Nālandā and Bāmiyān which have been communicated to us by Huien-Tsiang. He tells us that in Bāmiyān there are ten convents and about one thousand priests. The number of caves found and examined hitherto ascend to the respectable figure of 2,000, which is a striking confirmation of the information given by the Chinese pilgrim. He mentions "a mountain, on the declivity of which is placed a stone figure of Buddha erect, in height 140 or 150 feet. Its golden hues," he continues, "sparkle on every side and its precious ornaments dazzle the eyes by their brightness." He also speaks of another convent "which was built by a former king of the country," who seems to be Kanishka. "To the east of the convent," he adds, "there is a standing figure of Sākya Buddha, made of metallic stone, in height, 100 feet." As I write, I have only to turn my head to see the two colossal figures spoken of by the Chinese pilgrim.