.TAMIL.

BUDDHISM
Its a Sole Duty of every

one that they should know their History of civilization of their own land. The history of Tamilnadu (tamizagam) should be read by all Tamil speaking people and south Indians to have a clear idea about how virtue they/we being people belongs to one of the world greatest and oldest civilization and land of rich and prosperous cultural society. As mentioned Tamilnadu (Tamizagam "the Tamil homeland" refers to the classical era territory of old South Indian royalties covering modern Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tamil Eelam (Sri Lanka) and southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka) is one of the oldest civilization had many famous spiritual practices (religions) like Shaivam, Vainavam, Smarta Sampradayam and Sakti Sampradayam (all were grouped as now Hinduism), along with Buddhism (Boudhigam) and Jainism (samana samayam). They were all equally grown and made its contribution with

great remarks in Tamizagam. The Tamil Literature, archaeological finds such as Brahmi, Tamil Inscription s, coins, seals, earthenwa re, potsherds, statues, sculptures etc. of Tamil Nadu confirm that Mahayana Buddhism existed throughout Tamil Nadu from the ancient time. Literary and physical symbolization of Lord Buddha and Buddhism had been used scientifically by the Tamil Mahayana Buddhists.

Tamil grammar book Tolkaapiyam. The Kundalakesi (which is an adaptation of the story of the Buddhist Bhikuni (female monk) Kundalakesi was born in a merchant family in the city of Puhar) is a fragmentary Tamil epic written by Nagakuthanaar. We all know there were various Dynasties prevailed in southern most India (Tamizagam) such as Chola Nadu, Chera Nadu, kalabhras (kalabaalargal), Paandiya Nadu and Palavas. The period of Kalabhras interregnum was marked by the ascendancy of Buddhism, and probably also of Jainism. During the end of kalabhras dynasty around 6th century with the revival of Pallava kingdom were began to gain both in territory and influence over the South Indian peninsula made their capital as Kancheepuram and were a regional power by the end of the 6th century. During this era Buddhism were given more importance. There are many examples to show how Buddhism was patronized during medieval age. The Tamil Mahayana Buddhists only wrote the Manimekalai (the story of the conversion to Buddhism of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi) written by Seethalai Sathanar.

There were many cities of tamizagam Buddhism was flourished with excellence. Puhar (Kaveri puhum pattinam/ Poompuhar) The ancient Tamil Buddhist poem Manimekalai by the poet Seethalai Sathanar is

Vihara, a Buddhist Vihara (monastery) was built by Javanese King Sri Vijaya Soolamanivarman with the patronage of Raja Raja Animangalam Chola. Copperplate of Kulothunga chola notes that Kasiba Thera (Buddhist Monk) Renovated the Buddhist temple in 6th century AD with the help of Buddhist set in the town of Kaveripattanam. Ancient ruins of a 4th-5th century Buddhist monastery, a Buddha statue, and a Buddhapada (footprint of the Buddha) were found in another section of the ancient city, now at Pallavanesvaram. Nagapattinam The heritage of the town is found in the Burmese historical text of 3rd Century B.C., and gives evidences of a Buddha Vihar built by the great Ashoka. Nagapattinam was a Buddhist centre from 4th5thth century CE. Its stupa dates from this era. Buddhism disappeared from this city as of an unknown date, but was revided as of the 9th cent. CE. (H.P.Ray, The Winds of Change, Delhi 1994, p. 142) In the 11th century CE, Chudamani monks of Naga Nadu. This nagar came annam to be vihar known later as

Nagananavihar'.Buddhism

flourished until 15th century CE and the buildings of the Vihara survived until 18th century. Kanchipuram Kanchipuram is one of the oldest cities in South India,

and was a city of learning for Tamil, Sanskrit, and Pali. It was during the reign of Pallava dynasty, from the 4th to the 9th centuries that Kanchipuram attained its limelight. The city served as the Pallava capital, and many of the known temples were built during their reign. This Kancheepuram had four major sub cities according to their religious practices as Shiva Kanchi, Vishnu Kanchi, Jina Kanchi and Buddha Kanchi. History records the names of several great Buddhists of Kancheepuram who spread the Dharma all over the world. Buddhaghosha (fifth century CE), along with the monks Sumati and Jotipala, lived in Kanchi. Anuruddha, author of Abhidhammatthasangaha, lived in the Mulasoma Vihara was born at the city of kaveri with in Kanchi. The founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma was born here, as was the famous Sanskrit writer Dandin who wrote Dashakumaracharita. The Sanskrit poet Bharavi hailed from Kanchi and wrote the famous Kiratarjuniya here under the patronage of the Pallava king Simhavishnu.

Great Buddhist scholars such as Dignaga, and Dhammapala lived here too. The Chinese monk Xuanzang visited the city during the reign of Narasimhavarman I in the 7th century and said that this city was 6 miles in circumference with 100 Buddhist monasteries, and 80 temples. Also he mentioned that its people were famous for bravery and piety as well as for their love of justice and veneration for learning. He further recorded that Buddha had visited the place.