Pandit Vihara is a Buddhist vihara of ancient Bengal called Chaityabhumi now known as Chittagong in Bangladesh. 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.
Revival efforts
On 28 March 2010, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina proposed the idea, while addressing the Joint Session during her visit to China, for revival of Pandit university. The name of the university will be changed to International Pandit University and restored following the footsteps of the revival of the ancient Nalanda University in India.
References
- "Pandit Vihar : The Old University of Chittagong by Venerable Dr. Jinabodhi Bhikkhu". Buddhism and Australia. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- Prabir Barua Chowdhury. "Historic university lost in time". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- "Pandit Bihar University To Be Set Up Soon in Chittagong". Edu Icon. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
| Ancient Dharmic centres of higher learning | |
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| Major centres of learning | |
| Other centres of learning | |
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