For a number of centuries, Nalanda Mahavihara was a beacon of knowledge and wisdom in Asia Scholars came from all over Asia to study a range of suject including philosophy and logic. Education in Nalanda was holistic, imparting to the student a view of life that was open-minded, tolerant, and at one with nature.
The philosophy of Buddhism underlay that education. Up to the early part of the second millenium, Buddhism had a great influence in South, Central, East, and Southeast Asia. The religion of traders, it created a network of trust whuch facilitated trade and cultural exchange along both the overland and the maritime silk routes. The rulers of Sriwijaya, Tibet, and China sent special envoys to Nalanda, adding to its prestige. These envoys returned to their countries with precious sutras.