Epigraphia Indica Vol 33

SR No.: 032587
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: D C Sircar
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1959
Total Pages: 514
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 29 MB

Page 351

250 EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
[VOL. XXXIII and Vedalla (teachings in the form of questions and answers). The other epithet says that the teachers knew the traditions of the different classes of Buddhist recluses by heart (ariya-vaṁsa-pavenidhara=ārya-ramba-praveni-dhara). The expression paveni-dhara may be compared with dhammadhara, vinaya-dhara, mātikā-dhara, etc., of the Pali literature as well as vinaya-dhara and mahavinaya-dhara of the Amaravati inscriptions and Digha-Majhima-nikaya-dhara in a Nagarjunikonda inscription. According to Buddhist scripture, there are four classes of recluses (ariya-vansa, literally 'noble family'), viz. those who are contented with the robes presented to them, those who are contented with the food presented to them, those who are contented with the bedding presented to them, and those who delight in meditation.
Of the geographical names mentioned in the inscription, Kasmira is still known by its ancient name. Gandhāra (the Rawalpindi-Peshawar region), Vanavāsa (the district round Banavāsi in the North Kanara District) and Tämraparni-dvipa or the Isle of Tāmraparņi (Ceylon) are wellknown. By Yavana, possibly the old Greek settlement in the Kabul valley was meant.
TEXTS
1 Sidham [1*] achariyanam Theriyānam Vibhaja-vädānam Kasmira-Gamdhāra-Yavana
Vanavāsa-Tambapamnidipa-pasādakanan 2 Mahāvihāra-väsinań nava[m]ga-Sathu-sasana-atha-vyajana-vinichhaya-visaradanam ariya
va[m]sa-paveni-dharanam 3 viháre Bhagavato pāda-samghāļā nipatithapitosava-satānam hita-sukh-athanāya ti?
TRANSLATION
Let there be success! The pair of feet of the Lord (i.e. the Buddha) has been installed, with the prayer for the welfare and happiness of all beings, in the monastery of the teachers who are Theriyas (i.e. Thera-vādins) (and) Vibhajja-vādas i.e. Vibhajja-vādins) ; who caused delight to (i.e. converted to the Buddhist doctrine) (the people of) Kaśmira, Gandhāra, Yavana, Vanavāsa and Tāmraparni-dvipa ; who are the residents of the Great Monastery; who are experts in the determination of the meaning and implication of the nine-fold teachings of the Sastri (i.e. the Buddha); (and) who know the traditions of the four) clasees of (Buddhist) recluses by heart.
1 Cf. ibid., s.v. * Burgess, op. cit., p. 37, No. 8; p. 102, No. 26. . Above, Vol. XX, pp. 17, 29.
See Successors of the Satavahanas, p. 31. From impressions. • The intended reading is either sanghäda nipalithapitz or samghado nipatijapito. "The punctuation is indicated by s horizontal line.