Genesis of the word Sanchi resonates & reverberates with sach which literally means truth…. Nor is the legend of Sanchi less fascinating than the saga of a traveler. And so is its name which has travelled long roads before finally adapting Sanchi. Sanchi, variously known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times was once a renowned centre of religion which fell prey to anonymity for centuries. This centre of extensive knowledge is known for the introduction & dissemination of Buddhism to the world. Though untouched by the holy physical presence of Gautam Buddha, the magnificence & glory of Sanchi since 3rd century B.C. can be understood as a place from where the message of Buddhism has traversed across the globe. Gautam Buddha’s message “vIi nhiks Hko“ meaning being one’s own light, becomes much clear in Sanchi. It is paradoxical that Buddha is not depicted in a single sculpture or mural here, yet there is no parallel of this place where the presence of Buddha can be felt so predominantly in the form of a divine signal, rather a deep message. Sanchi being a historic centre of light & knowledge, guided Sir John Marshall to restore & enliven the ruins & remains of Stupa on the panoramic hill, whose foundation was laid by Emperor Ashoka after being persuaded by his Queen Devi, who belonged to Vidisha. According to Marshal, it is this hillock of Sanchi mentioned as Neechgiri, a place near Vidisha in the texts of poetic legend Meghdootam, written by the great poet Kalidasa. This journey of Siddharta to Gautama Buddha is a glaring example of a true knowledge seeker, but the journey of dissemination of knowledge is yet to finished.
Famous in the world for Stupas and other sculptural wealth, Sanchi is undoubtedly the physical manifestation of messages from the Buddha. Stupa, a derivative from Sanskrit and Pali, means a heap or mass. Out of the four types of Stupas viz. śārīrika (erected on body relics), pāribhogika (erected on some items used by the Buddha, such as bowl, robe etc.), uddeśyika (erected with some specific purpose) and vratānuṣṭhita (erected on fulfillment of some vowed desires); Sanchi mahāstūpa falls into the first category symbolizing the relics & spread of the Buddha’s message to the world. Here Buddha is not worshipped as a statue, but his presence is embodied in various symbols. The significant episodes and miracles from Lord Buddha’s life and events depicted in detail, mostly taken from the Buddhist Jataka stories are displayed through the austere grandeur and exquisite carvings on the doorways.
Relics of Sariputra & Mahamoggallanna, the disciples of Buddha lie in adjoining stupas. Ashoka commissioned the construction of about thousand Stupas including the Great Stupa (known as Stupa 1) as he was a great patron of Buddhism himself and wanted to popularize & patronize it. This stupa was originally a low semi-hemispherical structure of brick, half the diameter of the present edifice hemispherical in shape with raised terraces at the base and empty from inside. Later, relics of the Buddha were kept inside it to make it safe for centuries and guide the generations to come. Buddhist remains spread across 22 square kilometers indicate that it was a great centre of learning.
The four gateways made of sandstone of which three have been damaged encircle the great Stupa symbolizing the welcome of knowledge from all the directions. In front of the remaining gateway in the North from where glows the divine knowledge and peace, Buddha sits smiling, smiling since centuries. Beaming with positive energy, it could be that Buddha is smiling at the mortality of mundane subjects and the immortality of what he practiced and preached! Retaining his peaceful and serene smile, he is trying to convey that a lot remains to be rendered, to be understood and to be lived! And the same gateway from which this remaining task of spreading the divine knowledge of Buddha will reach the masses centuries ahead of Buddha is none other than the gateway illustrated in the logo of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies as stem of ’Bodhi’ tree.
It is said that history repeats itself. The son and daughter of Ashoka, Mahendra and Sanghmitra embarked on their journey towards Sri Lanka holding the sapling of Bodhi Vriksha (peepal tree) from Bodh Gaya (under which Buddha got enlightened) to spread Buddhism from Sanchi. When Bodhi Vriksha at Bodh Gaya got destroyed, a sapling from Sri Lanka was brought back and planted. This sapling was destined to be planted in Sanchi. The journey eventually completed its loop on finally arriving at Sanchi or precisely, at Sanchi University. The sapling of Bodhi tree was brought from Mahāvihāra at Anurādhapura — the ancient capital of Sri Lanka and planted at the proposed site of construction of the Sanchi University in the year 2012. Replanting the Bodhi Vriksha at Sanchi was nothing but a humble effort to repay the debt of Buddhism back to its motherland. The University is fortunate to be a part of blessings of Buddha and it is destined to complete the remaining task of the creation & dissemination of knowledge in the world.
Traditionally, sravana (listening to the teacher), samvada (dialogue with the teacher), moola grantha adhyayana (study of original texts), cintana (holding the idea(s) in citta – the self), manana (deep reflection) and abhyasa (sustained practice) are envisaged as the cornerstones of learning. They depend more on the innateness of a pupil rather than any extrinsic factor such as teaching or training. The vihars and chaityas in Sanchi were the abode of learning in the traditional way where Buddhist monks meditated and reflected on life and being centuries ago. This is synonymous with the aspirations of the university. The University intends to become a nucleus for knowledge creation and in this context; it is just a step in the series of marvel universities like Nalanda, Taxila, Vallabhi, etc.
Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies wishes to continue the rhyme of harmony and humility once enunciated by the great sages & seers who wandered on this terrain. The University is keen to re-establish the lost glory of ancient wisdom and knowledge trends. Sanchi University is all set to revive the ancient system of knowledge based on power of cognition rather than following the mainstream teaching trends. The motto of the university “,”k /keZ% lukru%” is adapted from the sacred texts of Dhammapad conveying vehemently the message of modesty and morality. The logo of Sanchi University illustrates a Bodhi Vriksha having two parallel main trunks. The two trunks symbolize the two parallels of Sanātana and Buddhist traditions, which are like the two off shoots of a common spirituo-cultural complex called Sanātana dharma. Sanchi is an exemplar of harmonious co-existence of both Buddhist and Hindu faiths. So is a University situated not far from this splendid site. We might only be some time and distance apart on a two dimensional scale but ultimately, both of us converge at only one objective – to establish the peace in the world and within.
