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This book deals extensively with various facets of Nalanda Mahavihara and its contribution to the vast expanse of knowledge and arts of Asia.

Contents: List of Figures, Preface, 1. Introduction SCHOLASTICISM AND ACADEMIC TRADITIONS IN NALANDA, 2. Vihara to Mahavihara, 3. Nagarjuna: Father of Nalanda Scholasticism, 4. Formation of Nalanda Academic Culture, 5. Book Cult in Nalanda, 6. Healer-Monks of Nalanda: Meditation, Medicine and Therapeutics, ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS, 7. Financial Management of Nalanda Mahavihara, 8. Water Management at Nalanda, 9. Monastic Structures and their Archaeological Remains, 10. Caityas, Temples and Stupas, 11. Stuccos of Nalanda, IMPORTANT WORSHIPPING TRADITIONS, 12. Worshipping of Tara in Nalanda, 13. Cult of Nagas in Nalanda, 14. Twelve-Armed Avalokitesvara from Nalanda, CONTACTS WITH CHINA AND INDONESIA, 15. Maritime Contact between Java-Sumatra (Suvarnadvipa) and Nalanda, 16. Nalanda's Interface with Ancient China, DECLINE OF NALANDA MAHAVIHARA, 17. Decline and Destruction, Notes, Bibliography, Index. The various facets of Nalanda Mahavihara and its contribution to the vast expanse of knowledge and arts of Asia. Some of the important facets of the book are the origin and transformation of Nalanda from Viharato Mahavihara, a brief sketch on Nagarjuna, father of Nalanda scholasticism, formation of an academic culture at Nalanda, emergence of a book cult in Nalanda, worship of Tara and the cult of Nagas. Apart from this it also includes an analysis of financial management, water management, monastic structures, as well as Arogyavihara and school of medicine at this centre. Examining the maritime contacts between Java-Sumatra (Suvarnadvipa) and Nalanda as well as Nalanda's connections with ancient China, this work explores the efflorescence and decline of Nalanda Mahavihara.