Nalanda, the ancient Indian university near Patna, Bihar state, India, is one of the most important sites in Buddhist history as well as the history of education broadly (with its literally thousands of resident students and teachers). Founded in the fifth/sixth century CE, it was a rich center of liberal arts and Buddhist studies that saw many imposing Buddhist figures and others pass through it before its destruction by Muslim invaders in the twelfth century CE. Its legendary status is part of what has made the news of its revival as “Nalanda International University”– as spearheaded by Nobel economics laureate and Harvard professor Amartya Sen — so intriguing and exciting.
The project has gathered the support of many of India’s neighboring countries as well, including China, Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. Asia Times Online reports that there is trouble brewing, however, with former Indian president Abdul Kalam formally distancing himself from the project recently and persistent questions about transparency and communication. This past week, the Asia Society held an exclusive Q&A with Sen about the project and recent concerns about it (including, “Why isn’t the Dalai Lama involved with the planning?”). You can read the full transcript here.
