Xuan Zang memorial hall to be opened in Nalanda tomorrow

Patna, Feb 11(UNI) Indo-China relations will get a boost with the opening of Xuan Zang memorial hall in Nalanda tomorrow.

A seventh-century scholar of Buddhist theology, Xuan Zang trekked down all the way from mainland China to Indian University of Nalanda braving inhospitable weather conditions and difficult terrain, in quest of knowledge.

Not only the Chinese scholar studied Indian culture and religion at Nalanda, a seat of learning in those days for five years, but also carried a number of Buddhist literature on his return journey.

He later translated the matter into Chinese language, thus laying the foundation of spreading Buddhism in China and the neighbourhood.

In late fifties of the twentieth century, when Pandit Nehru was on a mission to develop relations with neighbouring countries, he had picked up cultural and religious affinity between people of China and India as a symbol of brotherhood.

A joint venture was mooted during Pandit Nehru's visit to China in 1957 for reviving the memories of strong Indo-Chinese ties in ancient days through visits of Chinese scholars and students to India. Construction of a memorial at the site, where one of such scholars, had spent some years of his life, was considered to be the best way to pay tribute to the great scholar as also to keep alive the age-old relations between the two countries.

The inaugural ceremony would be attended by a high-level Chinese delegation, including foreign minister Li Zhaxing, administration of the state administration for Religious Affairs Ye Xiaowen, vice- president and secretary general of the Buddhist Association of China Xue Cheng and deputy general of China National Tourism Administration Mr Zhang Xiqin.

Bihar Governor R S Gavai, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Chairman of Indian Council of Cultural Research(ICCR) Dr Karan Singh would be among other important dignitaries of India to be present on the occasion.

In January 1957 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, had received the relics of Xuan Zang, along with endowment for the construction of Xuan Zang memorial hall, brought here from China by Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama of Tibet as representatives of Chinese government, in a function at Nava Nalanda Mahavira, Nalanda.

The Nava Nalanda Mahavira had prepared a detailed plan for its complete renovation, restoration and creative development which took its shape and stage is set for its inauguration now.

UNI