________________
640
640-41
640-41
C22
MAITRAKA-GURJARA PERIOD
169
Buddhism preached at Valabhi, though mentioned as Hina Yana by HiuenTsang, it is evident that the Mahāyāna sect had also its share in the development of Buddhism at Valabhi. There are direct references to bathing and annointing of Buddha images, and the occurrence of expressions like Buddha Bhattaraka. In the grant of Dharasena IV, we find that the gifts donated to the Yodhavaka monastery were meant for Mahāyāna monks staying in it.
Arya-Manju-tri-mala-Kalpa refers to a famous monk from Valabhi, besides Gupamati, called Pipdacărika, during the days of Siladitya, who is described as
follows:
तत्र देशे समाख्यातो भिक्षुः पिण्ड चारिकाः ।। ५९० ।।
शीलवान् बुद्धिसंपन्नो बुद्धानां शासने रतः ।
कालचारि महात्माऽसौ प्रविष्टो पिण्डचारिकम् || ५९२ || ३५ पटल ||
(K. P. Jayaswal, An Imperial History of India, p. 24)
From the victorious camp at Vanditappali, a grant of land was issued in the (Valabhi) year 321, Caitra ba. 3 (640 A.D.) by the Maitraka King Dhruvasena II, Baladitya, granting land in Malavaka Visaya to Brahmanas Dattasvamin and Kumārasvamin, of Pārāśara gotra, emigrants from Udumbaragahvara. The former resided at Ayänaka-agrahara and the latter at Agastikä-agrahara. The royal edict was executed by Prince Kharagraha and it was composed by Divirapati Skandabhata.-(Nogava Plates; ET, VIII, 194).
Gujarat was visited by the Chinese pilgrim and scholar Hiuen Tsang, who travelled in India with a view to study Buddhism, and collect Buddhist manuscripts and images. From the South, he first came to Bharukaccha, Malava, Atali, Kheta, Valabhl, Anadapura and Surăştra; and then proceeded to Gurjaradesa in North.-(Beal, Records II). This part of his travel is dated circa 640 A.D. The account of his travel throws much light on the life and culture of the people in general and on the state of Buddhism in particular.-(Watters, Travels, II).
Jain Education International
Po-lu-kie-ch'e-p'o (BHARUKACCHA) Barygaza or Broach :-This kingdom is 2400 or 2500 li in circuit. Its capital is 20 li round. The soil is impregnated with salt. Trees and shrubs are scarce and scattered. They boil the sea-water to get the salt; and their sole profit is from the sea. The climate is warm. The air is always agitated with gusts of wind. Their ways are cold and indifferent; the disposition of the people, crooked and perverse. They do not cultivate study, and are wedded to error and true doctrine alike. There are some ten samghärāmas, with about 300 believers. They adhere to the Great Vehicle and the Sthavira school. There are about ten Deva temples, in which sectaries of various kinds congregate.-( Buddhist Record of the Western World, Book XI. Translated from the Chinese of Hiuen Tsang, S. Beal, pp. 259-260).
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