Legacy of 7th CE Monk Scholar Xuanzang on Google Cultural Institute (GCI)

Xuanzang Memorial (XM) was conceived in 1957 with the dual objective of commemorating the visit of 7^th 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.

Screen shot of  title page

Click here to visit the Exhibit

Sharing the legacy of Xuanzang with Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi visited Bodhgaya to participate in the ‘Global Hindu-Buddhism Initiative’ on 5^th September, 2015. The event was organized by International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), International Vivekananda Foundation and The Tokyo Foundation. The Prime Minister also inaugurated an Exhibition ‘Cetiya Carika- The Dhamma Pilgrimage’ prepared by Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (Deemed University).  The focus of the exhibition was the pilgrimage legacy of 7th CE Chinese monk-scholar, Xuanzang.

Hon'ble PM and Dr. R Panth, Director, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara untieing the Knot and inaugurating the Exhibition.

A Tribute to Venerable Xuanzang- Making of the Movie "Journey of the Heart"

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"Journey of the Heart"
A Heart-Felt Tribute to Venerable Xuanzang


A US film crew, headed by Amardeep Kaleka, with fellow production crew, Ole Brereton and Noah Woodburn, visited Nalanda as a part of the filming of the movie, "Journey of the Heart," which follows the footsteps of Xuanzang. Filming in Nalanda from the 26th of January to the 2nd of February, the crew filmed at several of the important places visited by Xuanzang that were associated with the Buddha.


The Team

Ravi Verma, the man behind the concept and also
the producer of this grand project

Amardeep Kaleka.....The Director

Ole Brereton....Assistant Director

Noah Woodburn...Sound Recorder

Monica Harvey.......Logistics

"Journey of the Heart," a documentary, is about the Heart Sutra,  the Buddha, and Venerable Xuanzang's journey. Shooting at Sarnath, Kushinara, Vaishali, and Bodh Gaya, the team eventually arrived at Nalanda to capture the places associated with Venerable Xuanzang; sites in and around Nalanda and Rajgriha. We know Xuanzang took a pilgrimage to the holy land of India to pay his homage to the land of the Buddha and to collect manuscripts of the Buddha's teachings.

As site interpreter for the film crew, it was my desire to pay my tribute to this important world citizen whose contribution to mankind is unfathomable; a feeling that cannot be expressed in words.  My intent was to share Xuanzang's journey in and around Nalanda with the world. No words or emotions can truly do justice to the emotions that must have overflowed when Xuanzang reached Nalanda, after years of trekking through insurmountably difficult mountains, glaciers, hot plains and near death situations.

We owe the rediscovery of our heritage, the cultural past, to the Master Xuanzang, who with meticulous details recorded events in this area.  Our effort with this documentary is to let the world know this heritage and how much we collectively owe to Venerable Xuanzang.

Remains of Ancient Nalanda University

Xuanzang was received by the monk community and the laity at Nalanda, staying here for about 15 months. Visiting the Ancient Nalanda University, the film crew tried to capture the essence of Venerable Xuanzang's visit with help of monks from Nava Nalanda Mahavihara. Chanting, an integral part of the day-to-day life at Nalanda, was once again demonstrated as the film crew did its best to capture this ancient tradition.

Monks chanting at the Ancient Nalanda Ruins

Monks receiving directions from director, Amardeep

Manuscript Library, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara

Xuanzang carried valuable Buddhist manuscripts back to China to transcribe into Chinese.  The film crew visited the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Manuscript Library to shoot ancient manuscripts.  Viewing the various types of manuscripts from Tibet, Cambodia, and Myanmar, the film crew tried to show what the Buddhist texts Venerable Xuanzang carried must have looked like and how difficult it must have been for Xuanzang to collect the extensive texts and transport them back to China.

Viewing the ancient Heart Sutra in Tibetan

Xuanzang Memorial Museum


The Xuanzang Memorial Hall was constructed as a joint effort between China and India to commemorate the great efforts of Venerable Xuanzang. Dr. Panth, the director who renewed construction and saw the completion of the Hall, is the authoritative expert to describe the Heart Sutra and momentous contribution of Venerable Xuanzang to the larger of mankind.

Interview with Dr. Panth, Vice-Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara

Xuangzang Memorial Hall

Re-creation of ancient script writing with help of Dr. Lalan Jha

Indrasaila Guha, Parwati


Parwati was an important pilgrimage place and among one of the many places that Xuanzang visited.  As the film crew had only a few days to shoot, this important site, among the many, was deemed a must to visit.  In a cave at the top of the hill, Buddha sat to meditate.  Xuanzang must have become very emotional to find this place where the Buddha meditated and to see the brick stupa erected in honor of the Hamsa (Swan).  Perhaps Xuanzang also added his own bricks to the stupa, now covered by grass and a Bodhi tree.

Ole, followed by village children

Picturesque Parwati hill

Noah attaching the microphone to me

Discussing the Shot

A stupa and its exposed  layers of reconstruction

Local villagers, film crew, and stupa mound (in background)

Expressing Xuanzang descriptions to the camera

Reflection of Xuanzang on Camera

Talking to the inquisitive local community

Vulture's Peak (Griddhkuta)


Talking about Vulture's Peak was a real challenge as this place was very close to the heart of Xuanzang.  All the way along his journey, his desire was to survive the arduous journey and near death situations in order to reach Vulture's Peak and bend his legs at the place where the Buddha delivered the Heart Sutra.

Finding the right spot to capture the feelings of the Xuanzang

Getting ready for the Shot

Gurupada (Cock-Foot Mountain)


Gurupada is the place associated with the Maha Kassapa, the third important disciple of the Buddha, who exchanged robes with the Buddha, as the story goes.  Xuanzang visited this place and gave a description about Maha Kassapa, his association with the Buddha and his valuable contribution to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. Xuanzang also talked about the Matriyea Buddha, the future Buddha, who will come here to Gurupada to collect the robes of the Gautama Buddha, which were kept with Maha Kassapa.  This important event makes Gurupada a very appropriate site to showcase the sublime elements of the story of the Buddha.

Children from Gurpa village.....collecting firewood

getting to the top of the 1500 Ft high hill

a short break for the crew.....the climb is very steep!!

Place where the Maha Kassapa took Samadhi

Ven Dhammadeepa gettting ready for the shot

The Picturesque Gurupada!!

Noah ..celebrating the day and the good shoot!!

A group picture before the 30 Minute climb-down...

History about operations at Xuanzang Memorial Museum

1- Pundit Nehru sent a delegation of three top officials to identify suitable land for the Museum. The Education Secretary, Government of Bihar Shri K. Abraham was also with the delegation. All the ponds were shown to the team and finally the present site was identified as the suitable site for the museum.


2- Pundit Nehru visited Nalanda and laid the foundation of Xuanzang memorial Museum in1961. Later he addressed a big gathering at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara. Big crowd gathered from the surrounding villages

3- The place of memorial was earlier a play field

4- The Tanks around the Xuanzang were full of Lotus. And the leaves were used by the people of locality during marriages and other community function for serving food.

5- In 1967 famine the roots of the lotus called Kamalgatta was an important source of food for poor

6- In 70’s to mid 90’s the place was in dilapidated condition and was used by cattle grazers

7- For last 10 years the ponds are being allotted to fishermen for fisheries and since then the lotus have vanished from the local ponds.

Tourist Guide
1- In the beginning days the staff of the campus and the guards used to guide the tourists about the site.

2- Then in 60’s, one official guide was appointed by the ASI

3- In 50’s and 60’s some local people took the initiative and started guiding tourists but this was considered an unauthorized effort.

4- In 1971 the first guide training took place which made an effort to train people other than ASI staff for guiding purposes.

5- In 1975, a 2nd of such effort for Guide training took place.

Vendors
1- In the 1960’s, there were only three shops around the Nalanda ruins area meant to cater to tourist needs.– One tea stall (Motilal), Pan shop (Lala), Handicraft and Flowers (Chandu)

2- The present entrance was not gated at the time and a souvenir shop by the inside gate was established in 1970.

3- The main entrance as it stands today got very crowded with unorganized vendors in mid 80’s

4- Ravindra Pawar (district Magistrate) in 1992 ordered removal of all such vendors but they slowly crept back.

5- Some attempts were made to provide parking for horse cart and buses in the 1090’s but this arrangement lacked long term planning and didn’t sustain.