Author: Bihar Say | Amrita | From Rajgir to Seoul: Nalanda and Dongguk Reignite the Ancient Buddhist Knowledge Corridor When Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Academia What happens when
From Rajgir to Seoul: Nalanda and Dongguk Reignite the Ancient Buddhist Knowledge Corridor
What happens when two civilisations connected by Buddhism meet again after centuries?
History doesn’t whisper—it resonates.
On a winter morning in Rajgir, Nalanda University became more than a campus. Instead, it turned into a bridge between India and Korea. More importantly, it revived an ancient Buddhist knowledge corridor that once shaped Asia’s intellectual soul.
As a result, Nalanda and Dongguk Universities didn’t just host a visit. They reignited a legacy.
On January 23, 2026, Nalanda University welcomed a 52-member delegation from Dongguk University, South Korea. Notably, the visit marked one of the most meaningful academic engagements in recent years.
The delegation was led by Venerable Donkwan, Chairperson of the Dongguk University Foundation, and Prof Jaewoong Yun, President of Dongguk University. Together, they brought spiritual authority and academic leadership to Bihar.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere reflected shared purpose rather than formality. Therefore, the engagement felt deeply human and future-focused.
The visit began with the inauguration of an exhibition of Thangka paintings and Buddhist artefacts. Venerable Donkwan personally opened the exhibition.
Moreover, the presence of Bhikshu Dovung, a renowned Korean monk-artist, added rare depth. His artwork didn’t just hang on walls. Instead, it told stories of meditation, discipline, and devotion.
Consequently, the exhibition became a living dialogue between art and spirituality.
While welcoming the delegation, Prof Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University, shared a powerful vision.
He highlighted Nalanda’s goal to reclaim its historic role as a global centre of learning. At the same time, he connected ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern global challenges.
Specifically, discussions focused on:
Buddhist pilgrimage studies
Philosophy and ethics
Cultural conservation
Sustainable Development Goals
Global peace and coexistence
Therefore, Nalanda positioned itself as both ancient and forward-looking.
Behind the scenes, senior leaders, deans, and faculty members from both universities engaged in focused dialogue.
They explored joint research initiatives, faculty exchanges, and student mobility programmes. Furthermore, they discussed long-term frameworks for sustained academic cooperation.
As a result, both sides moved beyond symbolism. They committed to structure and strategy.
At the Sushma Swaraj Auditorium, the spotlight shifted to students.
International students performed Buddhavacana chanting, creating a deeply immersive experience. Meanwhile, presentations highlighted Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Rajgir.
Additionally, Korean delegates interacted directly with students. These conversations built curiosity, empathy, and shared learning.
Thus, the partnership felt alive at every level.
Building on an existing Memorandum of Understanding, both institutions agreed on concrete next steps.
These include:
Structured faculty and student exchange programmes
Annual faculty visits
Joint research projects
An international conference hosted alternately in India and South Korea
Therefore, this partnership now has momentum, clarity, and purpose.
This collaboration places Bihar at the centre of global Buddhist scholarship once again.
More importantly, it reframes Bihar’s image—from history alone to active global leadership. In addition, it strengthens cultural diplomacy between India and South Korea.
Ultimately, Nalanda’s revival is not symbolic. It is strategic, spiritual, and global.
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