The University of Nalanda c9.155

c9.155

The two inscriptions mentioned are: "*The Nālandā Copperplate of Dēvapāladēva*"¹ and the other "*Ghosrawa Buddhist Inscription*"² The first one tells us that the King Bālaputradeva of Suvarṇadvīpa " was attracted by the manifold excellences of Nālandā and through devotion to the son of Śuddodana (the Buddha)...built here (at Nālandā) a monastery, which was the abode of the assembly of monks of various good qualities and was white with the series of stuccoed and lofty dwellings;"³ and that he had requested King Devapāladēva through an ambassador of his, Bālavarmman, to grant five villages, Nandivanāka, Maṇivāṭaka, Naṭikā, Hasti and Pālā-maka towards the income for the blessed Lord Buddha, the abode of all the virtues like *Prajñāpāramitā*, for the offerings, oblations, shelter, garments, etc., of the assembly of the venerable bhikkhus...and for the upkeep and repair of the monastery when damaged.⁴