Vikramashilas

Vikramashila was a prominent Buddhist monastic university in ancient India. It was established by the Pala king Dharmapala in the 8th century CE, in what is now the Bhagalpur district of Bihar. Vikramashila was one of the largest and most famous centers of Buddhist learning in its time, comparable to Nalanda and Taxila. The university flourished for about four centuries and played a crucial role in the spread of Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism.

The curriculum at Vikramashila was extensive and covered a wide range of subjects beyond Buddhist philosophy. Students studied logic, grammar, metaphysics, medicine, and Tantric practices. The institution was renowned for its scholars and had a large number of monks and students, with estimates suggesting thousands resided and studied there. The library at Vikramashila was particularly significant, housing a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures and other important texts. The university attracted scholars from across India and from foreign countries like Tibet, further solidifying its reputation as a major international center of learning.

The decline of Vikramashila began with the invasions of the Ghurid ruler Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji around the late 12th century or early 13th century. The monastic university was reportedly destroyed during these invasions, leading to the dispersal of its scholars and the loss of many of its valuable manuscripts. Although its physical structures were largely destroyed, the legacy of Vikramashila as a vital seat of Buddhist knowledge and culture continued to influence Buddhist traditions, particularly in Tibet, where many of its teachings and practices were preserved. Excavations at the site have revealed the remnants of stupas, monasteries, and lecture halls, providing archaeological evidence of its former grandeur.