Nalanda University Revives Ancient Debate Tradition with Śāstrārtha Initiative
Nalanda University convocation revives Śāstrārtha, an ancient debate tradition

Image: The Hindu
Nalanda University in Bihar, India, is reviving the ancient tradition of Śāstrārtha by incorporating it into its third convocation program on May 17-19, 2026. This initiative promotes intellectual engagement through structured debates across various disciplines, aiming to foster critical thinking and ethical discourse among students.
- 01The Śāstrārtha initiative includes 23 thematic panels covering topics like Buddhist studies, archaeology, and sustainable development.
- 02Debates will follow the classical structure of Pūrvapakṣa (initial argument) and Uttarapakṣa (response) to encourage disciplined reasoning.
- 03Nalanda Vice Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi emphasized that education should emerge from intellectual struggle rather than artificial intelligence.
- 04Two honors will be awarded: Nālandā Śāstrārtha Sammāna for teachers and Nālandā Śāstrārtha Puraskāra for outstanding students.
- 05The initiative aims to revive the classical debate culture of the ancient Nālandā Mahāvihāra, promoting clarity of thought and scholarly integrity.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Nalanda University, located in Bihar, India, is integrating the ancient Indian tradition of Śāstrārtha into its third convocation program from May 17 to 19, 2026. This initiative, titled 'Śāstrārtha 2026', aims to foster meaningful intellectual engagement among students through structured debates rather than mere ceremonial observance. Vice Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi highlighted the importance of understanding and articulating ideas over relying on artificial intelligence, emphasizing that education should stem from personal reflection and intellectual struggle.
The program features 23 thematic panels covering diverse fields such as Buddhist studies, archaeology, and sustainable development, structured around the classical debate framework of Pūrvapakṣa (initial argument) and Uttarapakṣa (response). This approach encourages students and alumni to engage in disciplined reasoning and critical dialogue. Additionally, two honors will be bestowed during the event: the Nālandā Śāstrārtha Sammāna for teachers and the Nālandā Śāstrārtha Puraskāra for students, recognizing exceptional contributions to scholarly debate. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to revive the classical debate culture of the ancient Nālandā Mahāvihāra, promoting clarity of thought and ethical discourse in academic settings.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
This initiative encourages students to engage in critical thinking and ethical discourse, enhancing the quality of academic discussions at Nalanda University.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think reviving ancient debate traditions is beneficial for modern education?
Connecting to poll...
More about Nalanda University
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


