Pandit Vihara

Pandit Vihara is a Buddhist vihara of ancient Bengal called Chaityabhumi now known as Chittagong in Bangladesh.[1][2] The site is located in Anwara Upazila near the city of Chittagong, and was a centre of learning from the fifth century CE to c. 1200 CE. The institution was one of the four prestigious universities and Buddhist monasteries of ancient India.

The remains

Numerous sculptures, murals, copper plates, inscriptions, seals, coins, plaques, potteries and works in stone, bronze, stucco and terracotta have been unearthed within the ruins of Pandit Vihara. The artefacts are now preserved in various museums of Bangladesh.[citation needed]

Revival efforts

During her 2010 visit to China, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed reviving the ancient university as International Pandit University, following the footsteps of the revival of the ancient Nalanda University in India. As of 2016, the concept was still stalled due to lack of funding.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Pandit Vihar : The Old University of Chittagong by Venerable Dr. Jinabodhi Bhikkhu". Buddhism and Australia. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  2. ^ a b Prabir Barua Chowdhury (29 June 2016). "Historic university lost in time". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2016-11-18.