Al-Thesawalame Law - මුස්ලිම් තේසවලාමේ නීතිය රහසේ රට පුරා


දිනෙන් දින අපට එරෙහිව නැගීගෙන එන මුස්ලිම්  ප්‍රහාර වලින් හෙළිවූ 22 වෙනි ප්‍රහාරය මෙන්න.

Attack on Sinhala Land Ownership - හෙළයාගේ ඉඩම් අයිතියට ප්‍රහාරය.


 දෙමළ ජාතිවාදය විසින් අති සාර්ථකව හෙළයාට දෙන ලද්දාවූ ප්‍රහාරයක් වන්නේ ඔවුන් විසින් දිනාගෙන අදටත් යාපන දිස්ත්‍රික්කය තුල භුක්ති විඳින  තේසවලාමේ නීතියයි. මේ යටතේ දෙමළ ජාතිකයෙක්ට යාපනේ ඇති සිය ඉඩම හෝ නිවස විකිණීමට අවසර ඇත්තේ තවත් දෙමළ ජාතිකයෙකුට පමණි.


මෙය ආදර්ශයට ගත් මුස්ලිම් පල්ලිය එම නීතියම මුස්ලිමුන් සඳහා ක්‍රියාත්මක කර ඇත. මුස්ලිම් ලබ්ධිකයෙකුට සිය ඉඩම හෝ නිවස විකිණීමට අවසර ඇත්තේ තවත්  මුස්ලිම් ජාතිකයෙකුට පමණි. එබැවින් සෑම සිකුරාදා දිනක්ම, සිංහලයාගේ අනාගතයට තීරණාත්මක දිනයකි. මෙම නීතිය කඩන මුස්ලිම් ජාතිකයා වහාම පල්ලියෙන් නෙරපනු ලබයි. ඔවුන්ගේ නීති අනුව වෙනත් මුස්ලිම් පල්ලියකට යෑමට ද ඉඩක් නොතබයි. මෙම ක්‍රමය යටතේ මුස්ලිමුන්ට ඔනෑම ප්‍රදේශයක් සම්පූර්ණයෙන් යටත් කර ගැනීමට අවශ්‍ය වන්නේ පළමු මිලදී ගැනීම හා කාලය පමණි. පළමු අත්පත් කරගැනීම මිළදී ගැනීම විය යුතුමද නොවේ. එය විවිධ ආකාරයෙන් සිදුවන ආකාරය ඔබ පසුවට තේරුම් ගනු ඇත.


කුළී නිවාස වලට මුස්ලිමුන් බාර ගැනීම මර උගුලකි. මෙය කොළඹ ප්‍රදේශයේ නිවාස හිමියෙක් හා ඔහුගේ මිතුරෙක්ට සිදුවූ භයංකාර සිදුවීමකි. සිංහල නිවාස හිමියෙක් තම නිවසේ කොටසක් මුස්ලිම් සුලු ව්‍යාපාරිකයෙකුට කුලියට දෙනු ලැබුවේ තම නිල ලිපිනය වශයෙන් එය භාවිතා කරන ගමන්මය. ව්‍යාපාර කටයුතු වෙනුවෙන් ව්‍යාපාර ස්ථාන වලද කාලය ගත කිරීමට සිදුවන ඔහුට පරම්පරා ගනනක් තිස්සේ සිය පවුලට තිබූ එම ලිපිනයේ ඡන්ද අයිතිය මුස්ලිම් පුද්ගලයා විසින් ඉතා සූක්ෂම ලෙස පැහැර ගනු ලැබුවේ නොදැනෙන්නටය. මේවා අතර අසල්වැසි සිංහල බෞද්ධ කාන්තාවක්ද දැලේ දා ගැනීමට ඔහු සමත් විය. නිවාස හිමියා පසුව සොයා බලන විට මුස්ලිම් නම් විශාල සංඛ්‍යාවක් ඔහුගේ තැන ගෙන තිබුණි. නිවාස හිමියාගේ වාසනාවට වංචනිකයා පන්නා දැමීමට සමත් විය. එම පුද්ගලයා ඉවත් වූවේ හිස් අතින් නොවේ, අප ජාතියටම ප්‍රහාරයක්ද දෙමිනි. එනම් අර කාන්තාව මනුෂ්‍ය ප්‍රේතියක් කර ගන්නා ගමන්මය.


ඉන්පසු මුස්ලිම් ජාතිකයා විසින් සොයා ගනු ලැබුවේ මෙම ව්‍යාපාරිකයාගේම අවිවාහක මිතුරකුගේ නිවසකි. සිදුවූ කිසිවක් නොදැන මිතුරා එය සිංහල ව්‍යාපාරිකයාට දැන්වූයේ ජයග්‍රාහී ලීලාවෙනි. හිසේ පිළිකාවකින් කලක් පීඩා විඳිමින් සිටි මිතුරා හදිසියේම මිය ගියේය. අති භයංකාර සිදුවීම වූවේ ඉන් පසුවය. සුලු මුස්ලිම් ව්‍යාපාරිකයා විසින් මිතුරාගේ නිවසට හොර ඔප්පුවක් සාදා ගන්නා ලදි. ඥාතීන් සියල්ලගේ හිස ගිනි ගත්තේ මෙය දැන ගත් පසුවය. ඔවුන් වහාම ක්‍රියාත්මක විය. වංඡනිකයා පොලීසි ගෙනගොස් නඩු දමා බොරැල්ල මැගසින් බන්ධනාගාර ගත කරන ලදි. මෙයට අදාල නඩුව තවමත් අසමින් පවතින්නක් බව දැනගන්නට ඇත. (සැ:යු: මෙවන් සිදුවීම් සිය ගනනින් මුස්ලිමුන් ආශ්‍රිතව සිදුවේ, හෙළි වන්නේ ඉතා සුලු පරිමාණයෙන් පමණි.)


මේ සියල්ල අතර කොළඹ ඉතා වටිනා පාරම්පරික සිංහල ව්‍යාපාර ස්ථාන දරුවන් විසින් කුණු කොල්ලයට මුස්ලිමුන්ට විකුණමින් පවතී. සමහරු එලෙස දෙනු ලබන්නේ පහසු ගෙවීමේ ක්‍රමද ඇතිවය. නව මුස්ලිම් අ‍යිතිකරුවන් මුලින්ම බලපෑම් කරන්නේ අසල්වැසි සිංහලයන්ටයි. ඔවුන්වද එම ස්ථාන වලින් පැන්නූ විට ඔවුන්ගේ ඉලක්කය ඉතා පහසු වන බැවිණි. කොළඹ නගරයේම අති විශාල පරිමානයෙන් මුස්ලිම් කොළනි බිහි වන්නේ, නිවාස සංකීර්ණ, ව්‍යාපාරික සංකීර්ණ සංයෝගයක් ලෙසය. මේවා සිංහලයන්ගෙන් වසන් වීම සඳහා ඔවුන් අති ශූර උපක්‍රමයක් යොදයි. එනම් එම ස්ථාන පිරිසිඳු සිංහල නම් යොදා නම් කිරීමයි. වැල්ලවත්තේ මුස්ලිම් පල්ලිය අසලම ඇති "SUPUN ARCADE" බලන්න. එහි ඇති සේල් එකට ගිය ඕනෑම කෙනෙකුට එය මුස්ලිම් ගුහාවක් බව පෙනී යනු ඇත. හතු පිපෙන්නාසේ ඉදිවන මෙවන් බොහෝමයක් කොළඹ නගරය අති භයංකාර ලෙස ආක්‍රමණය කරමින් පවතී.


වැඩි කල් නොගොස් කොළඹට ඇතුල් වීමට සිංහලයන්ට මුස්ලිම් වීසා අවශ්‍ය වනු ඇත. බුදු පිළිම බෝධීන් වහන්සේලාට, පන්සල් වලට අසල් වැසි බෞද්ධයෝ, ඔවුන්ගේ ආරක්ෂාව වසරින් වසරම අහිමි වෙමින් යන්නේ අති සීඝ්‍රයෙනි.එම තත්වය යටතේ, කුරගල, දෙවනගල, මුහුදු විහාර, ත්‍රිකුණාමලය වැනි නීතියෙන්ම ආරක්ෂිත විහාර ස්ථාන වලට දුන් මරක්කල මරු පහර, මේවාටද නොවදී යයි කාට නම් කිව හැකිද?

අපි වහාම ක්‍රියාත්මක වෙමු!

Buddhists – Where Now?

An article entitled: Sri Lanka is a Buddhist Country Controlled by the Christian Catholic Church was circulated by E-Mail at the end of November, 2010 - written by Upali Thantirige.  He gives instances and details occurrences. Is Upali Thantirige correct? Sadly his writing is supported by the news and events occurring daily in the media. He has given us an inescapable truth.
This is a dismal reversal of the optimism we all felt at the turn of the new millennium. Now you can see newspapers promoting Christian news as if it is the only belief religion on the planet. And where is Buddhist news? (E.g., The slow erosion of Buddhism in Sikkhim, the plight of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Buddhists, the opening of new temples in the west, the throttling of Buddhism in Thailand, Cambodia, the missionizing of South Korea and China and so on??  - mostly dismal news all at the hands of the religionists.)
Also, Buddhist news is made unattractive to editors of commercial newspapers. It is suppressed (after warnings) by editors fearful of losing their advertizing revenues paid by the big, rich, Christian owned businesses. On the contrary to Buddhism, Christianity is exciting – if unbelievable, viz: a dead man awoke, walked around a bit to say goodbye to one or two close friends and then went to heaven on a rocket around 0033CE. That is 1977 years ago, but the religionists are only very vague about the exact date as it was of no interest at the time.
Buddhism cannot compete with that sort of story in the minds of the poor and gullible, un-Dhamma-schooled masses.. Continuing on a little more: a virgin giving birth? – it sounds like monkey business! That is certainly why Christianity is dead set against fornication – they invented that lovely word for the event of sex outside marriage. And ‘prostitution’ was coined – that dirty word sealed the fate of all lusty men since the advent of Christianity. Here are two examples of the Christian Western Chinthanaya at work.
Upuli Thantirige’s article points out Dr. Nalin De Silva’s writings of how Buddhists in Sri Lanka are Christian by culture (and attitudes) but Buddhist by religion. Irrefutable! E.g., a young couple in Ja-Ela wanted to have their marriage ceremony carried out by the monk in a nearby temple and being blessed for everlasting happiness. To his credit, the monk refused.                                                                                                    
After 500 years of Christian occupation of Sinhale (Sri Lankan) territory the Buddhists have lost their direction, they have lost “Due North”. We have lost our way (and our wealth) and where are the Monks to guide us?.
So, this writing is just another wakeup call before it is too late. But it is all getting ominous to those who can see.
Firstly, we need to identify where we have gone wrong and what is our  true Buddhist culture and way of thinking; what has been lost and what steps are to be taken to reach there again? Some penetrating thinking is needed.
Secondly, we need to strengthen other aspects of Buddhism, too, in the face of so many external pressures – from the west and from within. We need to strengthen the hull of our ship! Dr. Nalin makes two interesting points in the Island Midweek Review of 7th. December 2010. He talks about different systems of knowledge based on different Chinthanayas and that the west is dominating us through their systems of knowledge and that words such as “transparency”, “democracy” used in their system, are only hypocritical terms to deceive the (western Chinthanaya) educated.
He says it is finally the western media (with an anti-Sinhala Buddhist stance that makes use of the Tamil racism of the elite to demean the Sinhala Buddhists) – the western media who will give publicity to the Tamil diasporas views he previously stated.
Therefore, we need to build up our base -  the foundation of Buddhist influence and project our intellectual power.
But getting this power and voice is difficult. Dr. Nalin quotes Professor Noam Chomsky (the great critic of US. Policy) who is made ineffective in trying to propagate his views as the government, the media and of course, the universities act in unison to make him ineffective – reminiscent of the difficulties now experienced by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka concerning the news and current affairs of Buddhism.
Thirdly, Muslim Malaysia developed rapidly thanks to the exploitation of their oil reserves.. The authorities launched many Government sponsored companies and staffed them – you’ve guessed it - by only Muslims managers and Muslim workers. (Chinese – well qualified – must convert to get a job!) In Sri Lanka, it is a ‘free for all’ and ‘winner takes all’ as the Christians and Muslims are exactly doing!
Wake up the Buddhists; we are losing it to the occupation!
Motto:
All It Takes For Buddhism To Disappear
Is For Good Buddhists To Do Nothing To Help
 
 Motto:
May you have the Buddha in your heart and
the Buddha - Dhamma in your head!
by Brian Pedley

LET US ACT NOW- අපි වහාම ක්‍රියාත්මක වෙමු!

 

නවතම යෝජනා ඉහලින්ම කියවන්න

5.

 මේ රන්වන් නීති සියල්ල අප රටේත් ස්ථාපිත කර ගැනීමට සියල්ලෝ වෙහෙස වේවා

 

4.

හම්බයෝ, ද්‍රෝහියො පන්නන පෙත්සමට රටම එකතු වෙමු!    

පෙත්සම

3.

Start Alone, be a hero - තනි තනිව පටන්ගෙන දැයෙන්ම පිදුම් ලබන වීරයෙක් වන්න.

2.

ජාතියට රතු නිවේදනය - බලන්න, අදම ක්‍රියාත්මක වන්න

1.

බෙදා හැරීම සඳහා, මෙම ලිපිය හා අත් පත්‍රිකාව PDF ලෙස ලබාගන්න


මව් බිමේ අපගේ අමිළ නිදහස, අයිතිවාසිකම්, උරුමය දිනෙන් දිනම මුස්ලිම් අන්තවාදයේ අදිසි හස්තයට ග්‍රහණය වෙමින් යයි. සිංහලයෝ බහුතරයක් නොදැනුවත් කම නම් අඳුරේ සිරවී තම ගෙලට රහසේ එල්ලවන අසිපත නොදකිමින් සිටී. අපි වෙනුවෙන් අපි නැවතත් කැපවීම හැර වෙනත් විකල්පයක් නොපෙනේ. අප හඳුනන සෑම සිංහලයෙක්ම දැනුවත් කිරීමට සිතට ගනිමු. බහුතරයක් සිංහලයන්ට අන්තර්ජාල පහසුකම් නොමැත. එම නිසා පහසුකම් ඇති සියල්ලෝ දැනුවත් වී පහත අත් පත්‍රිකාව මගින් අන් සියලු හෙළයෝ දැනුවත් කරමු. අපට ශක්ති පමණින් මුද්‍රණය කර බෙදා හරිමු. මුස්ලිම් ව්‍යාප්තවාදයේ බරපතල කම ගැන සියලු හෙළයන් දැනුවත් කිරීමට ඉටා ගනිමු. පෝස්ටර් වශයෙන් රට පුරා ප්‍රචාරය කළ හැකි වීර හෙළයෝ ඇත්නම් වහාම ක්‍රියාත්මක වෙත්වා!

ලෝකයේ අනෙක් බෞද්ධ රටවලට අත්වූ ඉරණමෙන් ලොවට ඉතිරි එකම ධර්ම ද්වීපය බේරා ගනිමු.


ආචාර්ය පීටර් හැමොන්ඩ් විසින් රචිත Slavery, Terrorism & Islam: ග්‍රන්තය මෙසේ හෙළි කරයි
5% ඉක්මවූ පසු ඔවුන්ගේ ජනගහන ප්‍රතිශතයට සමානුපාතිකව අධික ලෙස බලපෑම් එල්ල කිරීමට සිදුකරති.
හලාල් ආහාර තම රට තුල ඇති වෙළෙඳ සැල් සඳහා හඳුන්වා දීමට බලපෑම් කරති. එතුලින් මුස්ලිම ආහාර සැකසීම සඳහා එම ආයතනවල රැකියා ලබාගනී. මේ ආකාරයට කටයුතු සිදුනොවන විට තර්ජනය කිරීමද සිදුවී ඇත(එක්සත් ජනපදය )....



විශේෂයෙන් සිංහල ව්‍යාපාරික ප්‍රජාව, මුස්ලිමුන්ගේ අතකොලු බවට පත්වී, ඔවුන්ගේ හලාල් හෝ වෙනත් නිෂ්පාදන විකිණීමට ඉදිරිපත් නොවන තරමට අපගේ දැනුවත් කිරීම ඉලක්ක කරමු. 

මෙම දැනුවත් කිරීමෙන් අප පරාජය වුවහොත් අපට දෙවන අවස්ථාවක් නොලැබෙනු ඇත. ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ලෝකයේ ඊලඟ මුස්ලිම් රට බවට පත්වෙනු අපට බලා සිටීමට සිදු වනු ඇත.

මුද්‍රණය කර බෙදා හැරීමට සඳහා, මෙම ලිපිය හා අත් පත්‍රිකාව මෙතැනින් ලබා ගන්න


සිංහල බෞද්ධ නායකයන් ඇති සියලු ව්‍යාපාර, සංවිධාන වලට මෙම පත්‍රිකාව තැපැල් කරන්න. අපට ඉතිරිව ඇත්තේ ඉතාම කුඩා අවස්ථාවක් පමණි. එයින් වහාම ප්‍රයෝජන ගන්න.


අපි ගොඩ නැගූ දළ ප්‍රතිපත්ති සමූහයෙන් පටන් ගෙන ක්‍රියාත්මක වෙමු. එම ප්‍රතිපත්ති ඔබට මෙතැනින් බලා ගත හැක. ඔබ හඳුනන සියල්ල මේවාට අනුගත කරවා ජාතිය සුළු අන්තවාදීන්ගෙන් රැක ගැනීමට උර දෙන්න. ඔබට මේවා වැඩි දියුණු කිරීමට අදහස් ඇතොත් අපට දන්වා එවන්න




අපිව මරන් කෑවත් , මරන් කෑමට අර ඇද්දත් , බෞද්ධයන් වශයෙන්, තොපි භංග වේවා නොකියමු!, එය අපිට අකුසල්ය. එබැවින් අපි සතුරාටත් මෙසේ මෙත් වඩන්නෙමු!

·       පර හැඩි දෙමළා ඉන්දියාවටම ගොස් මහමග අසූචි සමඟ සුවෙන් වසත්වා!
·       පර මරක්කල හම්බයා අරාබියටම ගොස් ඔටු මුත්‍රා බොමින්  සුවෙන් වසත්වා!
·       පරයෝ සියල්ල තම තමාගේ රටවලට ගොස් නැවත අපිට අපේ රට දීපල්ලා!
·       මේ බුදුන්ගේ දේශයේ ශිෂ්ඨාචාරය ගොඩ නැගූ සිංහල බෞද්ධයා චිරාත්කාලයක්, නිවැරදි නායකයන් සමඟ දහම් සුව විඳිමින් සුවසේ නිවන් මග ගමන් කරත්වා!

මෙම බලහත්කාර පදිංචි කරුවන් හොඳ හිතින්ම තම තමා ආවඩන ක්ශේම භූමි වලටම  පිටත් කර දැමීමට අපට කල හැකි සියල්ල කරමු! එය ඔවුන්ගේ ශුභ සිද්ධිය වෙනුවෙන් අපට කල හැකි මහාම පින්කමයි, අපගේ මහා කාරුණික භාවයයි! පරහිත කාමීත්වයයි!

එම නින්දිතයන් අප දෙන මේ අවස්ථාව නොගෙන දිගටම අප නසන්නට අර අදින්නේ නම්, පන්සිල් පසෙක තබා බෝධිසත්ව දුටුගැමුණු නරෝත්තමයාණන් ආදර්ශයෙන් පෙන්වාදුන් සේ හම්බයන් හා ද්‍රෝහීන් කැති ගා පළමුව රට ජපානය මෙන් බුදු සමයට සරු බිමක් කරත්වා හෙළයෝ දෙවනුව නිවන ගැන වෙහෙසෙත්වා! 

දෙමළුන්ට/ඉස්ලාම් හැතිකරය ව්‍යාපාර, ඉඩම් විකිනීමෙන් වලකිමු. අපෙන් භාණ්ඩ හා සේවා මිළටගන්නා පාරිභෝගිකයන් වශයෙන් පමණක් දෙමළ ඉස්ලාම් හැතිකරය පිළිගනිමු.හෙළයාට භාණ්ඩයක් විකුණනවාට වඩා අධික මිලක් මේ පර ජාතින්ට භාණ්ඩ සේවා විකිණීමේදී හැකි සෑම විටම නියම කරමු. ඒ අන් කිසිවක් නිසා නොව, වංඡනිකව අපෙන් සොරා ගත් මුදල් අපිට නැවත ලබා ගත යුතු බැවිනි.









WORLD'S FIRST BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY DEMOLISHED BY MUSLIMS - Implications for Sri Lanka



NALANDA: lIustrious International Buddhist University
5th century CE to 12 century CE    
At the end of 12th century, Muslim invaders demolished the university, burnt down its priceless library, and mercilessly massacred its scholars including Buddhist monks

IMPLICATIONS FOR SRI LANKA

The appalling and distressing story of Nalanda University has important implications/lessons for Sri Lanka. It shows clearly that ruthless invasions and atrocities of various fanatical forces such as Muslims and Europeans were possible when India was politically unstable, fragmented into many small kingdoms, disunited and without strong leadership.  This was not possible during the time of the great Magadha kingdom covering almost the entire Indian sub continent and beyond, and associated Maurya and Gupta dynasties under great Indian Emperors such as Chandragupta-I, Samurdragupta, Chandragupta-II, Asoka the Great, and Bimbisara among others.

Muslim invasions  and the cultural genocide that they caused including the demolition of the only university of the world at the time – the illustrious Nalanda,  would not have been possible if the Gupta Empire and the Pala Empire stayed intact and strong and did not disintegrate the way they did largely owing to internal rivalries and hostility. 

We have both political stability and strong leadership in our nation today and it is important that we keep it that way, try making it stronger, as long as we could. It is the only way that we can confront and withstand the various open and hidden forms of threats and challenges posed by enemies of our Nation - some ungrateful non-indigenous Tamils and Muslims who show reluctance to join the mainstream and be a part of our Nation and help protect its interests including its cultural wealth, and from those Tamil and Sinhala traitors who live among us and overseas and of course from the so-called international community of hypocrites and their media all-out to bring about disarray and disorder in our country.     

INTRODUCTION
In the 6th century BCE, Buddhism was well established in ancient Magadha (1) in what is now modern Uttar Pradesh and State of Bihar in India. Over the next 1500 years Buddhism became the dominant ‘religion’ spreading across the Indian sub-continent and beyond to the south, north, east and west. Even after the death of the Buddha, Buddhism saw rapid expansion in northern and central India. The Mauryan Emperor Asoka (2) of the 304 to 232 BCE period and later monarchs, especially of the Pala dynasty of mid 8th to late 12th century CE, promoted Buddhism throughout Asia through religious ambassadors.
WORLD’S FIRST UNIVERSITY
In the 5th century CE, or more than 1500 years ago, the world’s first and the most illustrious International Buddhist University developed at Nalanda, near Rajagaha,   then Capital of the Magadha Kingdom of Greater India. Nalanda is about 72 km off Patna, the present capital of the State of Bihar. It was one of the greatest Centres of Learning in ancient India. In terms of Sri Lankan history, this period falls within the heydays of the glorious Classical Anuradhapura era marked by illustrious kings such as Datusena who built the great Kalawewa, Kasyapa of Sigiriya fame and Vijayabahu-I who drove the Dravidian Chola invaders out of Sri Lanka and reunited the country.
Ironically and incongruously, it also coincides with the decline and fall of the Gupta empire (3) of Magadha, one of the largest empires of India when peace and prosperity that prevailed enabled the pursuit of varied scientific and artistic endeavors. This period is called the Classical or Golden Age of India and was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy. The high points of this cultural creativity are magnificent architectures, sculptures and paintings primarily inspired by Buddhism. Wall murals flourished during this age the most famous being those of the Ajanta caves where the exquisite murals depict the life of Buddha. It was unfortunate that the decline of the Gupta empire happened at the time of significant growth of the Nalanda University as the leading international Centre of Learning and strongly influenced by the liberal cultural traditions of the Gupta age of 5th to 6th centuries. The Gupta and Pala kings were great benefactors of Nalanda.

ASSOCIATION WITH THE BUDDHA AND EMPEROR ASOKA
Nalanda was a well known settlement during the time of the Buddha who had visited and stayed at Nalanda. According to the Kevatta Sutta, during the time of the Buddha, Nālandā was a thickly populated influential and prosperous town.  Nalanda is important historically because it was near the birth places of the Buddha’s two main disciples – Sariyuth and Mugalan Mahatheras. Sariyuth Mahathera was born and died in Nalanda. After the passing away of the Buddha, one of the earliest Buddhist Shrines was built in Nalanda. In early 3rd century BCE, Emperor Asoka improved this shrine by building two stupas in honour of the two disciples of the Buddha. He also built a monastery for Bhikkhus.
In the 1st century CE, this monastery built by Emperor Asoka evolved to become a well known Buddhist learning Centre and later, in the 5th century CE, it expanded and improved to become the illustrious Nalanda International Buddhist University, as the first University in the world and also as the first residential university of the world. University of Nalanda was established during the reign of the Gupta Emperor  Kumaragupta who was the ruler of the Gupta Empire for nearly 40 years, from 415-455 CE, and retained a the vast empire. Nalanda witnessed a significant growth as an Important Centre of Learning from the sixth century to the ninth, when it was dominated by the liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age of 5th to 6th centuries.

RECORDS OF FA HIEN, HIEUEN TSIANG AND I-TSING

Fa Hien, the famous Chinese pilgrim visited Nalanda in the first half of the fifth century and has left records of what he saw. Hieuen Tsiang, the other famous Chinese traveler, visited Nalanda in the beginning of the 7th century CE. He provides much information on Nalanda as a university. In fact, he was a student at Nalanda for seven years, before working there as a professor. Another Chinese scholar-pilgrim named It-Sing (I-Tsing), visited Nalanda a few years after Hieuen-Tsiang. Several inscriptions have been discovered among the ruins of Nalanda giving further details on how kings made rich endowments towards the maintenance of the university. The Gupta and Pala kings were great benefactors of Nalanda. Kings outside India patronized Nalanda.  In his records, Fa Hien refers to the Sariputhra chethiya and monastery built by Emperor Asoka, besides other important places within Nalanda. However, he does not refer to a university in Nalanda. The University perhaps developed during the latter half of the 5th century.

FIRST RESIDENTIAL UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD
As the first ever residential university in the world Nalanda had developed as an exceptionally impressive university park complex which included colossal buildings, lecture halls, meditation halls, libraries, monasteries, hostels, chetiyas, temples, lakes and parks. According to the Chinese pilgrim Hieuen Tsiang, Nalanda University was an architectural masterpiece. It was marked by a lofty brick wall and a single gate and had eight separate compounds and ten temples, along with many meditation halls and classrooms. The university grounds were marked by lakes and parks.
The Chinese scholar-pilgrim named It-Sing (I-Tsing), who visited Nalanda a few years after Hieuen-Tsiang, mentions eight halls and 300 big rooms used for teaching and meetings and a grand library. There were ponds with lotuses, well devised footpaths, extensive pleasant lawns, mango groves and lovely flower beds. There were innumerable shrines embellished with a wealth of sculptural art. With endowments from successive monarchs, the Nalanda University became a site of imposing buildings. There were eight colleges built by different patrons including the one by the king of Srivijaya of Sumatra, who had diplomatic relations with the king of Pala dynasty of Bihar and Bengal.
PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS
It is recorded that in the 7th century, there were 10,000 students and 1500 professors in this university (some sources indicate 2000 professors). The alumni of Nalanda were highly respected both inside and outside of India. It gathered together some of the best scholars of the country. Scholar saints were the greatest attraction of Nalanda. Nalanda became world famous on account of its many brilliant professors and high standard of education. In addition, strict discipline was maintained. Among the many outstanding scholars, thinkers and Chancellors of Nalanda were   Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dinnaga, Dharmakirthi, Shantharakshita, Dharmapala, Shilabhadra, Santhideva and Padmasabhava. It is important to note that, Aryadeva, the favourite disciple of Nagarjuna, hailed from Sri Lanka. The brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu were successive Abbots of Nalanda. Tibetan sources indicate by name several other great Buddhists associated with Nalanda  such as Rahulabhadra, Aka, the Mahasiddha Saraha, Buddhapalita, Bhaviviveka of 5th-6th c. CE., Prasangika Madhyamika of Candrakirti of 7th c.CE, Candrakirti,  Candragomin, Santarakshita of the 8th.c.CE a brilliant Abbot from Nalanda who helped Guru Padmasambhava bring Buddhism to Tibet. According to Tibetan sources, Nagarjuna was the first Principal of Nalanda University. According to Tibetan sources, Mañjuśrīmitra was a respected Yogachara scholar of Nalanda whose works dealing with Vajrayana Buddhism had great impact on Tibetan Buddhism.
Associated with Nalanda were several thousands of monks who were men of the highest ability and talent. Some of them were from different countries. The international character of Nalanda was quite prominent even during the time of Hieuen Tsiang’s association with Nalanda in the seventh century. Students from far and near flocked to learn at the feet of the great scholars of Nalanda. According to Hieuen Tsiang, Nalanda University had students from all over the Buddhist world.  There were students from Sri Lanka, Tibet, Nepal, China, Mongolia, Turkistan, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Central Asia, Vietnam, Sumatra, Java, Persia, Greece and Turkey. There are reports that Jesus Christ spent several years at Nalanda University the only university that existed in the world at that time– check www.Utube.com – Where was Jesus for 18 years? By Yogeeshsharam who states that there are historical records to the effect in Tibet.   

WIDE-RANGING UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM

While one school of Buddhism or the other dominated at different periods, the all-inclusive and wide ranging outlook of Nalanda was maintained in keeping with the spirit of the Buddhist tradition. Nalanda’s curricula covered a wide range of subjects including all branches of Buddhism, other Indian philosophical systems, Chikitsavidya or Medicine, Astronomy, Geography, Mathematics, Hetuvidya or Logic, Sabdavidya or Grammer and other arts and science subjects of the day. As the university was run by the Sangha, Buddhist Studies assumed importance and pride of place at Nalanda.
The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning. According to records the curriculum of Nalanda University at the time of Mañjuśrīmitra who was a respected Yogachara scholar and practitioner at Nalanda, included virtually the entire range of world knowledge then available. Courses were drawn from every field of learning, Buddhist and Hindu, sacred and secular, foreign and native. Students studied science, astronomy, medicine, and logic as diligently as they applied themselves to metaphysics, philosophy, Samkhya, Yoga-shastra, the Veda, and the scriptures of Buddhism. They studied foreign philosophy likewise. The scholars and Chancellors of Nalanda played a significant role in the propagation of the Buddha Dhamma outside India, in Nepal, Tibet, Central Asia, China and Southeast Asia. Among the prominent ones were Atisa Dipankara, Shantharakshita, Kamalashila, and Padmasambhava.
A vast amount of what came to comprise Tibetan Buddhism, both its Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, stems from the late 9th–12th century Nalanda teachers and traditions. Most of Mañjuśrīmitra's works deal with a tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism and these had a strong impact on Tibetan Buddhism. Other forms of Buddhism, especially of Mahāyāna Buddhism followed in Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan, flourished within the walls of this ancient university. According to Hwui-Li, a Chinese visitor, at a certain time, Nalanda was held in contempt by some Theravadins for its emphasis on Mahayana philosophy.

Being basically a post-graduate institution, only advanced students were admitted to Nalanda. Those seeking admission were required to satisfy the test prescribed by the ‘Dwar Pandit’ or the “the gatekeeper” of the Board of Admission. Hieuen-Tsiang records that "the entrance examination was severe and only about two or three out of every ten applicants succeeded in passing it." Students could specialize in any subject but Buddhist philosophy was compulsory with a strong emphasis on Mahayana philosophy. About 100 discourses took place each day. There were about 30 students under each lecturer. Teaching was mainly through discussions with active participation of professors and students.
GREAT LITERARY WORKS
The great scholars of Nalanda produced a vast literature in all branches of knowledge.  It is said that it is in the field of logic that they made their greatest contribution. It rose up to be a leading and an outstanding center of learning and intellectual activities, and also as a leading center of dissemination of knowledge in various fields. Only very few of the great literary works of Nalanda scholars have come down to us in their original form. However, most of the work is available in their Tibetan and Chinese translations. Most of Mañjuśrīmitra's works deal with a tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism. He was the son of an upper class Brahmin and was a respected Yogachara scholar.
Scholars have yet to study and discover the depth and magnitude of this vast store of knowledge. Nalanda's monastery library contained the main collection of Mahayana texts in the ancient world. The main library of Nalanda was known as Dharma Gunj which meant ‘Mountain of Truth’ or Dharmagañja or ‘Treasury of Truth’, and was the most renowned repository of Buddhist knowledge in the world at the time. Its collection comprised hundreds of thousands of volumes and manuscripts. This main library had three main buildings each with nine storeys - Ratnasagara (Sea of Jewels), Ratnodadhi (Ocean of Jewels), and Ratnarañjaka (Delighter of Jewels). Inscriptional evidence (Yasovarmadeva) reveals that these were tall nine storey high buildings.
GRADUAL DECLINE OF NALANDA
Nalanda flourished up to about the tenth century CE (about the end of the Classical Anuradhapura period of Sri Lanka) when a gradual decline of this great seat of learning and research was seen. The beginning of the decline of Nalanda was owing to increased pressure and disapproval from Hindu Brahmins who at this time were both powerful and influential. The Jain community was also not quiet supportive of Buddhist teachings. Some Indian sources indicate that these two communities were envious of the stature and influence of this great Centre of intellectual activities in various fields of knowledge, which has developed as the leading center of dissemination of Buddhist knowledge and becoming the focal point of the Buddhist world for over 700 years.
The period of declining trend of Nalanda coincided with the heydays of the Pala Empire of the mid 8th to late 12th centuries, although the Pala kings were not in any way inimical or opposed to Nalanda. The Pāla Empire as major kingdom of ancient India was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal. The Palas were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism and supported Nalanda and other Buddhist universities such as Vikramashil, equally. The Pala Buddhist dynasty ushered in a period of stability and prosperity in Bengal. They created many colossal temples and exquisite works of art. The Pala period is considered as the golden era of Bengal. Never had the Bengali people reached such heights of power and glory as during the Pala period. Palas were responsible for the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan and Myanmar. The Palas had extensive trade as well as cultural influence in south-east Asia. This is well evident in the sculptures and architectural style of historic sites in present-day Malaya, Java and Sumatra in particular. This remarkable Buddhist Empire eventually disintegrated in the 12th century, most drastically with the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khilji's Muslim armies.

It is most unfortunate that at the time of arrival of the ruthless Muslim invaders, politically India had disintegrated without strong leaders and strong empires to confront the enemy. For example, the Gupta empire (3) of the Magadha kingdom was one of the largest political and military empires of ancient India covering much of the Indian sub continent. This was the time of a significant growth of the Nalanda University near Rajagaha, then Capital of the Magadha Kingdom, as an Important international Centre of Learning when it was dominated by the liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age of 5th to 6th centuries. With great kings like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta- II, political administration reached new heights. The decline and collapse of this empire since mid 6th century CE. led to political instability and weakness from which India suffered for several centuries. This situation was capitalized by Muslim invaders.

TANTRIC OR VAJRAYANA OR ESOTERIC BUDDHISM

It is noteworthy that Tantric or Vajrayana or Esoteric Buddhism and influence were   dominant in the Nalanda University during the Pala era. This was also the time when several rival universities sprung up promoting Vajrayana Buddhism and practices. Vajrayana is a complex and multifaceted system of Buddhist thought and practice which evolved during the 6th to 8th centuries. It developed out of the Mahayana school of teaching and also was strongly influenced by Hinduism which was also gaining ground during this period. Several Vajrayana texts were written at the Nalanda University. The Bodhisattva concept is dominant. The personal goal of a bodhisattva is to almost achieve enlightenment, but to make the decision to return to the world in their next reincarnation in order to help others reach enlightenment. Unlike in Theravada teachings, a practitioner can attain full Buddhahood in a single lifetime. 

A distinctive feature of Vajrayana is ritual as a substitute for abstract meditational practices. In fact, Vajrayana relies on various tantric techniques rooted in scriptures known as tantras. A “sadhana” is a means by which a practitioner can attain enlightenment and it includes among other practices, a verbal repetition of mantras which helps to clear the mind and connect the practitioner to the spiritual. Various Yoga techniques are also used such as ‘pranayama or breath control, “mudra” or symbolic gestures made with fingers and hands. Visual aids in the forms of cosmic ‘mandala’ diagrams are popularly used. In addition spiritual sounds by means of symbolic tools, musical instruments, thunderbolts, bells, hand drums are used to produce spiritual music and sounds that help practitioners to improve their spiritual potential and achieve inner transformation. Vajrayanists believe that the best way to achieve the goal of overcoming desire, and to work towards enlightenment, may be to experience desire.
The ordained or monks and laity work closely in the practice of Buddhist rituals. In this esoteric relationship between the guru or teacher and student, the guru or teacher gradually releases hidden or inner knowledge to his student. Vajrayāna Buddhists celebrate New Year’s, harvest festivals and anniversaries of the five important events in the life of the Buddha.


 
WANTON DESTRUCTION BY RUTHLESS MUSLIMS 

The real blow to Nalanda came with the arrival of the ruthless Muslim invaders who were intolerant of other religions and cultures. They took delight in destroying Indian cultural edifices and guardians of India’s indigenous religions and cultures.
The destruction of Nālandā is in one of the greatest acts of cultural vandalism by Muslim invaders of India. The final dissolution of this once outstanding international university was evident in the 13th century when the world lost an unparalleled and inimitable institution of the ancient world that promoted globally, the path of virtue, compassion and wisdom. In the year 1193, these invaders led by Mohammad Bakhtiar Khilji, attacked and burnt down and demolished this great Centre of Learning that existed for some 700 years. They destroyed its magnificent buildings and massacred its inmates, who at the time were mostly Buddhist monks.

Mirjah-i-Siraj the famous Persian Muslim historian in his chronicle Tabaquat-I-Nasiri has left a detailed horrid account of Khilji’s vandalism and violence. He reports that the gigantic library complex of Nalanda containing a total of over 9 million invaluable treasures of books, mostly manuscripts were set on fire and the burning continued for over six months. He says that "…smoke from the burning manuscripts hung for days like a dark pall over the low hills”. This invaluable collection of works that were destroyed was the products of centuries of scholastic studies. A few monks managed to escape with a few manuscripts to Tibet, Nepal and other neighboring countries. Mirjah-i-Siraj reports that thousands of Buddhist monks were burned alive and thousands beheaded as Khilji who tried his best to uproot Buddhism and plant Islam by the sword. He says that Buddhism virtually disappeared under the brutal impact of Muslim fanaticism. Nalanda which was a true spearhead of Buddhist learning in the world for several centuries became a deserted and desolate place and its ruins were covered by jungle.
A sharp decline of Buddhist Sangha and Buddhism was evident after the fall of the Pala dynasty in the 12 c. CE. continuing with later destruction of monasteries by Muslim invaders.  Mughal invasions and rule contributed significantly to the decline of Buddhism in India. In 1193 Muslim invaders seized control of Delhi, leaving defenseless the northeastern territories that were the heart of Buddhist India. The invading Muslim forces destroyed Buddhist temples and raided places in which Buddhism had flourished. Here, they mercilessly killed Buddhists including monks. Buddhism of Magadha suffered a tremendous decline with its invasion by Ikhtiar Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khilji  who demolished many Buddhist shrines, monasteries and the Nalanda Buddhist University. He massacred Buddhist monks and scholars. Some Buddhist monks who escaped the massacre fled to Nepal, Tibet and South India.
The Generals of Qutb-ud-Din, the first Muslim Emperor of India, who ruled from Delhi, resorted to widespread destruction of Buddhist monasteries and killing their inmates. Many Buddhist monuments and sanctuaries near Benares were destroyed by these invading Muslim armies. Mughal rulers like Aurangzeb destroyed Buddhist temples and monasteries and replaced them with Islamic mosques. There were deliberate and organized designs to convert Buddhists to Islam. Girls and married women with children were taken and converted to Islam. Buddhism became virtually extinct in India by the end of the 19th century, excluding small isolated communities in eastern Bengal and Nepal. Buddhism saw some revival in India in the 20-21st centuries, through the influence of Anagarika Dharmapala and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar.
NEGLECT, EXPLORATIONS AND PRESENT STATUS OF NALANDA

The entire Nalanda area remained abandoned and neglected until about the first quarter of the 19th century, when a British Geographer Buchanan Hamilton visited Nalanda and reported on a number of Brahmanical and Buddhist images. The place remained neglected again until the 1860’s when Alexander Cunningham the first Director of Archeology and pioneer explorer of Buddhist heritage in India identified more details and discovered two inscriptions citing details on Nalanda. His excavation work helped to uncover a wealth of archeological remains and the findings were published in 1871. In 1872, archeologist Bradley carried out some excavations in Nalanda and published a monograph.  Systematic excavation work started by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1915, led to many more discoveries that are of archeological significance. A very large number of relics have been found and action taken to save monuments from further ruin. Some of the monuments and cultural treasures that were uncovered are kept in the Archaeological museum at Nalanda and also in the Calcutta and Patna museums. 

Today, visitors and pilgrims to Nalanda find vast and well-excavated ruins, many of which are more substantial than the mere foundations remaining in other places. It has archeological remains of the great university, including monasteries, temples, and stupas built by different Buddhist kings. It is easier here to imagine the former glory of the monasteries and temples described by Hieuen Tsiang. In the excavated area are the ruins of wonderful monuments, stupas, vihares, monasteries, hostels, image houses, images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, statues of deities of the Mahayana tradition, inscriptions, official seals of Nalanda, personal seals of university professors, coins issued by monarchs of different kingdoms, plaques, ornaments, pottery and a range of other antiquities of historical importance.

Among the ruins are remains of the most renowned stupa with a series of smaller stupas surrounding it. Five of these stupas are extremely well preserved. There are in all eleven monasteries, sites and several chaitya sites that have been excavated. Among the Buddha statues recovered was one in preaching attitude and a colossal stucco statue of the seated Buddha in Bhumi sparsa mudra, which has been dated to belong to the 9th century CE. There is a large stone image of Bodhisattva Avaloketisvara. There is also a small shrine with an image believed to be that of Nagarjuna.

In 2006, Singapore, China, India, Japan, and other nations, announced a proposed plan to restore and revive the ancient site as Nalanda International University. India's first Multimedia Museum at Nalanda was opened in January 2008, which recreates the fascinating history of Nalanda using a 3D animation film


Dr. Daya Hewapathirane 
Vancouver, Canada

The Ruins of Nalanda

The Ruins of Nalanda


The Ruins of Nalanda








Avalokitesvara Padmapani -9th century CE
Height- four feet – rock statue
Exhited at National Museum Delhi






 ADDITIONAL NOTES

(1)     Magadha Kingdom was established around 1760 BCE by the Brihadratha Dynasty by king Jarasandha. Magadha kingdom covered mainly the area of Bihar south of the Ganges and later expanded to include Bengal and much of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Rajagriha or modern Rajgir was its first capital and then Pataliputra or modern Patna.  Magadha   expanded in time to be one of the world's largest kingdoms of its time, stretching to the north along the natural boundaries of the Himalayas, and to the east stretching into what is now Assam. To the west, it  reached beyond modern Pakistan, annexing  Baluchistan and much of what is now Afghanistan, including the modern Herat and Kandahar provinces. The kingdom was expanded into India's central and southern regions by the emperors Chandragupta and Bindusara, and Asoka conquered the Kalinga (modern Orissa) region.

Two of India's greatest empires, the Maurya Empire (321 to 185 BCE) and Gupta Empire (320 to 550 CE) originated from Magadha. These empires saw great advancements in philosophy, religion, science, mathematics, and astronomy. Magadha kingdom is heavily mentioned in Buddhist texts. Two of India's major religions Buddhism and Jainism originated in Magadha. From its inception until about 809 BCE, the Magadha kingdom was ruled by many kings of that dynasty.

Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha

The Pradyota dynasty took over Magadha kingdom in 809 BCE and ruled until it was captured by the Haryanka dynasty in 684 BCE. Magadha was ruled by the Haryanka dynasty from 684 BCE to 424 BCE.  Siddhartha Gautama  was born at Kapilavastu in Kosala around the 5th century BCE, during the Haryanka dynasty.  As the scene of many incidents in his life, including his enlightenment, Magadha is often considered a blessed land. King Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty led an active and expansive policy, conquering Anga in what is now West Bengal. King Bimbisara was followed by his son Ajatashatru.  Pataliputra became the capital of Magadha after Ajatashatru's death. The Haryanka dynasty was overthrown by the Shishunaga dynasty which was subsequently overthrown by the Nanda Dynasty who ruled for about 100 years.
Mauryan Dynasty of Magadha
The Nanda Dynasty ended around 321 BCE and was followed by the famous Mauryan dynasty.  Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya dynasty and established the Maurya Empire. During this time, most of the subcontinent was united under a single government for the first time. Capitalizing on the destabilization of northern India by the Persian and Greek incursions, the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta would not only conquer most of the Indian subcontinent, but also push its boundaries into Persia and Central Asia, conquering the Gandhara region. Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara, who expanded the kingdom over most of present day India.
(2)     The prominence of Magadha kingdom and the Maurya dynasty of kings peaked with the reign of the Asoka  one of India's most legendary and famous emperors. The Empire experienced half a century of peace and security under Emperor Asoka. Mauryan India enjoyed an era of social harmony, religious transformation, and expansion of the sciences and of knowledge. Chandragupta Maurya's embrace of Jainism increased social and religious renewal and reform across his society, while Asoka's embrace of Buddhism has been said to have been the foundation of the reign of social and political peace and non-violence across all of India.
The Mauryan dynasty under Asoka was responsible for the proliferation of Buddhist ideals across most of the Asian continent and beyond, fundamentally altering the history and development of Asia as a whole. Asoka sponsored the spreading of Buddhist ideals into Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, West Asia and Mediterranean Europe. Asoka the Great has been described as one of the greatest rulers the world has seen. The decline of the Mauryan Empire began 60 years after Asoka's rule, and it dissolved in 185 BCE with the foundation of the Sunga Dynasty in the Magadha kingdom.
The Sunga dynasty is associated with the period 185 to 73 BCE. It was replaced by the Kanva dynasty who ruled until 26 BCE. The Kanva dynasty collapsed and the Satavahana dynasty of the Andhra kingdom became the most powerful Indian state.
(3)     The Gupta Empire was established around 240 CE and ruled until 550 CE. It was one of the largest political and military empires in ancient India covering much of the Indian sub continent.  Its capital was at Pataliputra.  The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Gupta's enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors. This period is called the Classical or Golden Age of India and was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy. The high points of this cultural creativity are magnificent architectures, sculptures and paintings. Temples were mostly made of brick or stone. The doorways were very decorative. Wall murals flourished during this age the most famous being those of the Ajanta caves where the exquisite murals depict the life of Buddha. The Gupta period produced scholars of great repute such as Kalidasa.  People led happy and prosperous lives. This Empire gradually declined starting in mid 6th century CE and with the disintegration of the cohesiveness of the former empire; India in general began to be ruled by numerous less powerful regional kingdoms. This unfortunately was the time when the Nalanda University was experiencing significant growth as a leading Centre of learning in the Capital of the Magadha Kingdom dominated by the liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age of 5th to 6th centuries.