Buddhist Centres | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Historical Significance of Nāgappaṭṭinam

Ancient Records and Inscriptions:

• The town of Nāgappaṭṭinam has a rich heritage, as evidenced by a Burmese historical text from the 3rd century BCE, which mentions a Budha Vihar built by King Ashoka.
• An inscription from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, dated to the 2nd century BCE, highlights the association of Tamil merchants with a Buddhist institution.

Buddhist Monuments and Centers

• Ancient ruins from the 4th-5th centuries, including a Buddhist monastery, a statue of Buddha, and a Buddhapada (footprint of Buddha), were discovered in what is now Pallavanesvaram, a part of the ancient city.
• Nāgappaṭṭinam served as a significant Buddhist center during the 4th-5th centuries CE, with a stupa dating back to this period.

Decline and Revival of Buddhism:

• Buddhism gradually declined in Nāgappaṭṭinam, but it witnessed a revival in the 9th century.
• In the 11th century, the Chudamani Vihara was constructed by the Javanese king Sri Vijaya Soolamanivarman, with support from Raja Raja Chola I.

Renovation and Recognition:

• The “Animangalam Copperplate” of Kulothungachola mentions the renovation of a Buddhist temple by “Kasiba Thera” in the 6th century, with assistance from Buddhist monks of “Naga Nadu.” This temple later became known as “Nagananavigar.”

Pallava and Chola Periods:

• Buddhism thrived in Tamil Nadu during two main phases: the early Pallava rule (400-650 AD) and the Chola period (mid 9th to early 14th century AD).
• Prominent Buddhist centers during this time included Kanchipuram, Kaveripattinam, Uraiyur, and Nagapattinam.

Hsuan Tsang's Accounts:

• The Chinese Buddhist monk Hsuan Tsang, who visited India in the 7th century AD, described Kanchipuram as a prosperous city with a predominantly Buddhist population.
• He noted the presence of over 100 Buddhist monasteries and more than a thousand Buddhist monks, including 300 monks from Sri Lanka in one monastery.

Buddhist Influence and Notable Figures

• Pallava king Mahendra Varman, in his Sanskrit work “Mattavilasa Prahasana,” acknowledged the existence of numerous Buddhist Viharas, with the Raja Vihare being the most prominent.
• Notable Buddhist scholars associated with Kanchipuram included Rev. Dharmapala, the rector of Nalanda University, and Anuruddha Thera, the author of the Abhidammathasangaha.
• Although it is unclear whether Ven. Buddhaghosha was a native of Kanchipuram, he spent time in the city during the 7th century and praised its people for their bravery, piety, love of justice, and veneration for learning.

Pallava Dynasty Influence:

• Kanchipuram gained prominence during the Pallava dynasty from the 4th to the 9th centuries, serving as the Pallava capital.
• Many well-known temples in the city were constructed during this period, and according to Tamil tradition, Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, was born here.

Buddhist Literature and Kanchipuram

• “Manimekalai,” a post-Sangam epic, is considered a significant work of Buddhist literature.
• The classical epic provides an intricate description of Kanchipuram, highlighting its importance in Buddhist history and culture.