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Na-landa- (literally "the giver of the lotus"), about 55 miles south east of Patna, was a Buddhist center of learning from the 5th century CE to the 12th century.
The Jain Tirthankara Mahavira attained Moksha at Pavapuri, which is located in Nalanda (also according to one sect of Jainism he was born in the nearby village called Kundalpur). The Gautama Buddha is believed to have visited Nalanda and given sermons near "the Mango Grove of Pavarika".Sa-riputta, the right hand disciple of the Buddha, was born and died in Na-landa-. Asoka is said to have built a temple there. According to Tibetan sources, Nagarjuna taught there. However, historical studies indicate that the university was established c. 450 CE.
Nalanda was one of the first residential universities, i.e. it had dorms. During its days it was a flourishing residential university with over 10,000 students and 1500 teachers. The university was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. The library was located in a nine storied building. The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning. The Tang Dynasty Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang left detailed accounts of the university in the 7th century.
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