How did the scholars of nalanda carry the torch of knowledge to foreign countries?

Question: How did the scholars of nalanda carry the torch of knowledge to foreign countries?

The scholars of Nalanda carried the torch of knowledge to foreign countries in a number of ways.

• They traveled extensively. Nalanda's scholars traveled throughout Asia, teaching and spreading the Buddhist faith and Indian culture. They visited countries such as China, Tibet, Korea, and Southeast Asia, where they established new universities and monastic centers.
• They translated texts. Nalanda's scholars translated Buddhist and Sanskrit texts into other languages, such as Chinese, Tibetan, and Korean. This allowed people in other countries to access the vast knowledge and wisdom that was preserved in Nalanda's libraries.
• They taught foreign students. Nalanda attracted students from all over Asia. These students returned to their home countries after completing their studies, bringing with them the knowledge and skills they had learned at Nalanda.

Here are some specific examples of how Nalanda's scholars carried the torch of knowledge to foreign countries:

• Xuanzang: Xuanzang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to Nalanda in the 7th century AD. He spent 17 years studying at Nalanda, and he returned to China with a vast collection of Buddhist texts. Xuanzang translated these texts into Chinese, making them accessible to Chinese scholars and students.
• Padmasambhava: Padmasambhava was an 8th-century Indian Buddhist monk who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Tibet. He is known as the "Guru Rinpoche" in Tibet, and he is revered as the father of Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambhava studied at Nalanda before traveling to Tibet, and he brought with him the knowledge and teachings of Nalanda.
• Atisha: Atisha was an 11th-century Indian Buddhist monk who is credited with reforming Tibetan Buddhism. He was invited to Tibet by the Tibetan king, and he spent many years teaching there. Atisha was a scholar of the Kadampa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and he brought with him the teachings of Nalanda.

The scholars of Nalanda played a key role in the transmission of Buddhism and Indian culture to other parts of Asia. Their travels, translations, and teaching helped to shape the religious and cultural landscape of Asia for centuries to come.

Nalanda's legacy is one of global learning and scholarship. Its scholars carried the torch of knowledge to all corners of Asia, and their work continues to influence people around the world today.