Q) Discuss about the Growth, rise and contributions of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh?
Ans:-
Buddhism is an integral part of the Andhra culture. It is thrived in andhra and produced greatest scholars and Philosophies.
Buddhism, as per Jataka tales, entered into Andhra Pradesh during the buddha times only. Buddha in his 16th year after enlightenment entered into Andhra Pradesh and performed two chakras, Kaala and Dhanya and also spelled ten Dharanis/Magic Spells. Thatswhy, the place at Amaravati is known as the Dharani Kota or Dhanya Kataka.
Initially, buddhism attracted warring tribes, who found the equality, peace and egalitarianism, which are absent in vedic religion, where there are divisions based on birth.
As per Jataka tales, Mulichinda, a naga tribe became the body guard to buddha when he visited amaravati.
After Buddha’s parinirvana of buddha, Buddhism got divided into teravadins and mahasanghikas in 2nd buddhist council. Mahasangikas started chaityakavada in andhra pradesh. Among them prominent one was Mahadeva Bikshu, whose five question at 2nd buddhist council led to the Schism. In the course of time, Chaityakavada too got divided into five branches such as Uttera Seliya at jaggayapeta, Apara Seliya at Nagarjuna Konda, Poorva Seliya at Amaravati, Raja Girika at guntupalli, Siddhadhika at Gudivada.
Even though Gautami balasri and other kings and queens of satavahanas patronised buddhism, the biggest patronage comes from the Yagna Sri Satakarni of the satavahanas. He constructed many viharas and chaityas at Sri Parvatam, which abodes the Acharya Nagarjuna.
After satavahanas, Veerapurusha dutta constructed Sri Parvata University, the first mahayana university in entire world.
In this university, Nagarjuna wrote many influencing texts such as the Madhyamika Karika, seventy stanzas on Soonyavada, Suhurlekhana, Ratnavali and many Other.
Ratnavali guides the kings about the Raja Dharma and principles to be followed in the administration.
Buddhagosha, a hinayana monk brought original pali texts from sri lanka and wrote an authoritative text on Hinayanism, Visudhi Maga.
After Nagarjuna, his disciple took the reigns of the sri parvata university and started yogacara school. Another disciple Maitreyanatha started vignanavada school. Dharmakeerti, Kant of India, belongs to this vignanavada form of buddhism.
All three forms of buddhism such as Hinayana at Amaravati, Mahayana at sri parvata and vajrayana at Salihundam existed in andhra pradesh.
According to Tibetan canons, padma sambhava introduced the buddhism in tibet and performed kaala chakra in Lhasa, where an university started on the lines of Sri Parvata University.
Thatswhy we can say, Andhra Pradesh is standing evidence to the rich culture and growth of buddhism. Denying of this cultural fact means andhra denying its own identity.