29th
April 2018.
During my recent visit to Kanchipuram on 29th
April 2018, to see the Buddha statues in
and around Kanchipuram. The Capital City of Pallava reign, once flourished with Buddhism, now has only
few Buddha Statues scattered here and there as a remains of Buddhism. The first royal
patron of Buddhism in the Tamil land was by Asoka and somebody claims his Son and missionary monk Mahinda. They built stupas at Kanchi in 3rd
century BC. According to the Tamil classic, Manimekhalai, king Killivalan built
a Buddha Vihara at Kanchi. Up to 6th Century Buddhism was patronized by the
Pallava Kings. It is believed that several famous Buddhist monks lived in Kanchipuram
which includes Bodhidharma, Buddhadatta, Dhammapala, Dignana, and Buddhaghosa.
During the reign of the Pallava king, Narasimhavarman II (c.
700-728 or 69s,.722), a Buddhist Vihara was constructed at Nagapattinam exclusively for the Chinese marine traders known as Chinese monastery and the same was recorded by
Marco Polo in 1292 CE, during his visit to Tamil Nadu. After Pallava, Buddhism started declining and the same was
revived during Chozha reign. King Rajaraja extended support to Buddhist
institutions. During his rule, he encouraged Sri Mara unagavarman, the
Sailendra ruler of Sri Vijaya) to build a Buddha Vihara at Nagapattinam called Chudamani Vihara. This Vihara existed till late 17th century.
The
Buddhists seem to have been successful from 3rd century BC, but the
religion began to decline after the seventh century. As per the historians this
may be due to the lack of royal patronage and raise of Tamil Shaivite Bhakthi
movement by the Saints like Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar.
We
had seen the Buddha Statues at Karukkinil Amarnthaval Amman temple, Reliefs on
the Pillars of Thurukachinerikaraikadu and Kachabeswarar temples, in the
previous posts of this blog as remains of Buddhism. Some more remains of Buddhism in and around
Kanchipuram are covered in this post also.
BUDDHA STATUE AT GOVT. C M SUBBARAYA MUDALI HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL,
KANCHIPURAM
This
Buddha belongs to 6th century and the same was unearthed during
digging for a well. It was told that the Buddha was sitting under a sarakondrai
tree. The tree along with Buddha was uprooted during 1964 cyclone and Buddha
was straightened latter. It was also told devotes offer pooja on pournami/ full moon days. Buddha is in seated posture with
hands are Dhyana mudra. Ushnisha above his head is shown like a flame.
BUEDDHA AT GOVT. C M SUBBARAYA MUDALI HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL : CLICK HERE
These
Buddha reliefs might have been brought from dilapidated Buddhist temple in Kanchipuram.
This group has 7 reliefs of which 3 nos are chiseled on a single stone. Two reliefs
are made like devakoshtam with pilasters
and Thiruvasi or manicharam. This is a unique feature of Buddha statues available
in Thondai mandalam.
BHUDDHA RELIEFS ON THE COMPOUND WALL OF EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
BUDDHA STATUE AT SHIVA KANCHI POLICE
STATION.
This
10th century Buddha is in a
seating posture on a lotus pedestal with hands in dhyana hastham. Ushnisha is
also shown like flame over his head. A small canopy was erected by Mr Walter
Devaram, then the inspector General of Police during 1992.
LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA AT SHIVA KANCHI POLICE STATION : CLICK HERE
This
6th century Buddha is in a Vinayagar Temple along with a recently
unearthed Thirthangarar from a farmland. Buddha is seated on a pedestal
supported by 3 squatting Lions. One of
the special feature of this Buddha is, along with ushnisha, a manicharam or the
thiruvasi also shown on his back of his head. A Dharmachakra stone is also found on the end of the street opposite to the Vinayagar Temple.
Dharmachakra
LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA AT KANIKILUPPAI : CLICK HERE
BUDDHA STATUES AT PALLUR NEAR
ARAKONAM.
This
three Buddhas are unearthed from a
farmland by a farmer Nagappan about 90 years before. As per the Expert Mr Vijay Kumar, the middle Buddha belongs to 11th century and the other two Buddhas belongs to Mid 9th Century. They are
now housed in a shelter constructed by Thai Buddhists. After facing lot of
problems in protecting the Statues, Temple and the land by the Villagers, the
temple is being taken care of by Mr Muthukumar, the son of Mr Nagappan.
The
first Buddha on the left is little smaller than the Middle Buddha. Hands are in
dhyana hastham. Ushnisha is beautifully shown along with a manicharam behind
both ears. The neck wrinkles clearly shows the enlightenment age of Buddha. This Buddha idol belongs to mid 9th Century CCE.
INSCRIPTION ON THE TOP OF THE
ENTRANCE
This
temple was inaugurated on 10th May 1998, by the Buddhist welfare
meditation Trust, No 15, Chennai -82. Deputy Speaker Parithi Ilamvazhuthi
opened this Vihar. These Statues found by Mr Nagappan, 80 years before. This
inscription was inaugurated by 28th February 1999, by Acharya
Bhikku Logopalo, President International Meditation Centre Budhgaya, in
presence of Dr Kamala Sankrityayana, Government of India Minority Commission.
Donors P A Payutto Phra D. Saenyod, Thailand, Chandrasekar. Trustees : Kothandan,
Y M Muthu, Santhosham, Manimagalai
The
Middle Buddha is bigger and tallest of all the three with hands in dhyana
hastham. Along with beautiful ushnisha, a Thiruvasi or the manicharam like
makara thorana is shown on the back of
the full head. The neck wrinkles clearly
shows the enlightenment age of Buddha. This Buddha belongs to 11th Century CE.
The
third Buddha on the right side is little different from the other two. Looks cute.
Smaller of all the three without
Thiruvasi or manicharam. Buddha is in a
seated position with left hand in dhyna hastham and right hand is in bhoomi
sparsha hastham, shows the Budhha’s enlightenment. The neck wrinkles clearly shows the enlightenment age of Buddha. This Buddha belongs to Mid 9th Century CCE.
LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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