Nālandā: A Glorious Past

This book deals extensively with various facets of Nālandā Mahāvihāra and its contribution to the vast expanse of knowledge and arts of Asia. Some of the important facets of the book are the origin and transformation of Nālandā from Vihārato Mahāvihāra, a brief sketch on Nāgārjuna, father of Nālandā scholasticism, formation of an academic culture at Nālandā, emergence of a book cult in Nālandā, worship of Tārā and the cult of Nāgas. Apart from this it also includes an analysis of financial management, water management, monastic structures, as well as Ᾱrogyavihāra and school of medicine at this centre. Examining the maritime contacts between Jāvā-Sumātrā (Suvarṅadvīpa) and Nālandā as well as Nālandā's connections with ancient China, this work explores the efflorescence and decline of Nālandā Mahāvihāra.