1352nd Nirvana Anniversary of Master Xuanzang

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM) celebrated 1352nd Nirvana Anniversary of 7th CE Chinese monk-scholar Xuanzang. Master Ji Jing and his 300 disciples participated in the event.

Ven. Ji Jing and his followers arrives at the Xuanzang Memoria, Nalanda

At the World Peace Bell Pavilion 

Ven. Ji Jing giving the keynote address. 

Dr. R.  Panth, Director, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara giving the memento to Master  Ji Jing

Dr. Ravindra Panth, Director, NNM  giving the memento to Dr Ishtihaque Ahmed, VC, Magadha University.

Three brochures under the heading 'Revival of the ancient Buddhist Pilgrimage in Bihar', were also released on the occasion. The brochures are developed to facilitate awareness generation towards Walking Pilgrimage trails in Bihar. The brochures are based on Buddhist literature with focus on travelogues of Xuanzang.   

Release of  brochures, 'Revival of the ancient Buddhist Pilgrimage in Bihar'

Times of India reports on the Brochures developed by Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.

Inauguration of the Exhibition 'Pilgrimage Legacy of Xuanzang' 

The Exhibition 'The Pilgrimage Legacy of Xuanzang'

Aparajita Goswami, Dr. R  Panth, Master Ji Jing and Deepak Anand with the Exhibition

An exhibition titled ‘The pilgrimage Legacy of Xuanzang’ developed by Nava Nalanda Mahavihara has been organised at Xuanzang Memorial, Nalanda. The exhibition illustrates the life and legacy of 7^th CE Chinese monk scholar Xuanzang who visited India during the reign of King Harsvardhana to collect Buddhist manuscripts from famous Nalanda University. Buddhism was lost in Indian subcontinent by 14^th CE and travelogues of Xuanzang in mid 19^th CE played the most important role in discovery of the Indian origin of Buddhism. Identification of all the important Buddhist places like Rajgir, Vaishali, Nalanda, Sarnatha, Kapilavasthu etc in 19^th CE were done on basis of Xuanzang’s work. British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham played a crucial role in much identification. Later, Archaeological Survey of India was established in 1861 to explore and protect the finds based on Xuanzang’s work. The travelogues of Xuanzang are one of the five classics in China.

The story and legend of Xuanzang has been told and retold many times in past that include the very popular legend of the Monkey King created in China in 16^th CE. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara in 2008 decided to retell the story and contributions of Xuanzang through Maps. The exhibition is a result of six years of research and documentation done by Nava Nalanda Mahavihara. Depicting the complete journey and observations made by Xuanzang on a single map could be achieved only because of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. NNM plans to develop Xuanzang Memorial as an orientation centre for national and international Buddhist pilgrims.  The Exhibition will also facilitate awareness generation towards many important Buddhist places that are not on visited by international Buddhist pilgrims. Xuanzang is a very highly revered figure in China and NNM is working towards developing the Xuanzang Memorial as an orientation centre for international visitors particularly the Chinese pilgrims. 

Ven Ji Jing and the delegates offewring prayers inside the Memorial Hall.