The University of Nalanda c9.125

c9.125

Still another way, in which the University received help from Harṣa was that he, wherever he went and whatever his other religious professions might be, championed and upheld the religious and philosophical doctrines preached by Nālandā. Thus, for instance, while touring through Orissa he came across some learned Hinayānists. They ridiculed him for having built a *vihāra* at Nālandā which, they said, believed in "sky flower" doctrine (*Śūnyavāda*?). But Harṣa asserted the superiority of this doctrine over that of the Hinayānists, and to prove it he sent a messenger to Nālandā with a note on Śīlabhadra. Therein he said, "Your servant, whilst progressing through Orissa, met some priests of the Little Vehicle who, hampered by contracted views adhere to a *śāstra* which abuses the principles of the Great Vehicle. They speak of the followers of that system as men of a different religion, and they wish to hold a controversy with you on this point. Now I know that in your convent there are eminent priests and exceedingly gifted, of different schools of learning, who will undoubtedly be able to overthrow them—so now, in answer to their challenge, I beg you to send four men of eminent ability, well acquainted with one and the other school, and also with esoteric and exoteric doctrine, to the country of Orissa."²