Xuanzang Memorial (XM) was conceived in 1957 with the dual objective of commemorating
the visit of 7th CE Chinese monk-scholar Xuanzang to ancient Nālandā University and establishing a research institute to research and promote the
works of Xuanzang. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (Deemed University, NNM) was established in 1951 with a
view to revive the cultural tradition of ancient Nālandā University and for international
links, particularly with the Buddhist countries. It was felt that NNM is the
rightful inheritor of the legacy of Xuanzang. Therefore, Xuanzang Hall was
handed over to NNM in the year 2000.
NNM has
initiated research based projects, ‘Mapping of Nālandā, Rājgir and around’,
‘Engaged Buddhism’ and ‘Revival of the Ancient Buddhist Pilgrimage in Bihār’ to
document the works of Xuanzang. The research work of the NNM is intended to
satisfy the complete cycle of the value chain in relation to the tangible and
intangible aspects of the works of Xuanzang, mainly research as the production
of new knowledge; transference as the way of making this knowledge useful and
relevant in protection and promotion of the heritage, and diffusion as a means
of taking this knowledge to the masses.
Based on its research
project, NNM has developed three exhibits that have been published on Google
Cultural Institute (GCI).
1. Xuanzang’s Travel in Bihār
2. Travels of Xuanzang (629-645 CE)
3. Xuanzang Memorial, Nālandā
1. The exhibit ‘Xuanzang’s
Travel in Bihār’ is about the pilgrimage of Xuanzang to many sacred places in
Bihār that are associated with Buddha and his prominent disciples. The exhibit
has pictures and description of the sacred places visited by Xuanzang.
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| Screen shot of title page |
Click here to visit the Exhibit
2. The exhibit ‘Travels of Xuanzang’ has several maps depicting the travels of Xuanzang from Chang’an to Nālandā and beyond. The travels of Xuanzang have been divided into three parts.
Click here to visit the exhibit
2. The exhibit ‘Travels of Xuanzang’ has several maps depicting the travels of Xuanzang from Chang’an to Nālandā and beyond. The travels of Xuanzang have been divided into three parts.
a. Journey from Chang’an to Nālandā
b. From Nālandā to rest of India and back to
Nālandā
c. Return journey from Nālandā to Chang’an
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| Screen shot of title page |
Click here to visit the exhibit
3. The exhibit ‘Xuanzang
Memorial, Nālandā’ is basically the story of why Xuanzang Memorial was
conceived and its development. The exhibit uses many of pictures of the
Memorial since it was first conceived in 1957.
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| Screen shot of title page |
These exhibits are based on our study and research. If any of my readers have any suggestions/ inputs and information that might be helpful for us to further improve our documentation, please do write to me (neevda@yahoo.com).
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1 comment:
congratulations.this is a very useful resource
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