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Buddhism in orissa
Buddhism was known in Orissa, right from the time of
its inception, though the Lord Buddha never visited
Orissa during his lifetime. Buddhist Chronicles refer to
Buddha's Kesa Asthi (Hair relic) brought to Odra (Orissa)
by two rich traders -- Tapassu and Bhallika. In the
subsequent period, the nail and tooth relics of Buddha
too entered into Odra.
Scholars believe that Biraja (modern Jajpur) was a sacred
land of Buddha Padmaprabha and the cradle of Mahayana,
supported by fact that Jajpur and its neighbourhood are
seen to be rich in Mahayanic antiquities. In the 7th
century, the visit of Hiuen Tsang to Orissa vividly
accounts the flourishing state of Buddhism in Odra.
Between the 8th-10th century, Buddhism was the state
religion under the Bhaumakaras and this period also saw
evolution of tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism. The
influence and impact of Buddhism continued in Orissa
until 15th century. The innumerable stupas, viharas
(monasteries) and images found across Orissa testify to
its long heritage.
Buddhist tourism in Orissa has observed the
opening up of some new vistas by recent findings from
excavations. Despite the fact that many Buddhist
monuments already exist in Orissa, these newly
identified sites with Buddhist remains have also added
to the charm of Orissa. With Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri and
Udaygiri hills located 90 kms from Bhubaneshwar and 60
kms North East of Cuttack, Orissa attracts many Buddhist
tourists each year.
The Ratnagiri Hill is known to have the most extensive
ruins and is famous for housing the monastery of 'Pushpagiri'
reported by Chinese traveler Hiuen T' Sang. Most of the
sculptures found here date back to 8th and 9th
centuries. The Laitaghiri hills in Orissa also serve to
be a historical site of importance. An ancient stupa
containing relics preserved in caskets of stone is one
of the recent and spectacular discoveries.
The Shanti Stupa at the Dhauli Hill, on the bank
of the River Daya, is also one of the much famed
Buddhist sites at Orissa. It was here that emperor
Ashoka underwent a psyche change and abandoned war for
the rest of his life, in the 3rd century BC. So, the
Nippon-Buddha Sangha established a peace pagoda or
Shanti Stupa at Dhauli. A monastery named Saddharma
Vihar Lalitagiri was also constructed here, thus, making
it the earliest Buddhist complex of 1st century AD.
Apart from these, Buddhist monuments are
scattered throughout the state still awaiting further
excavation and study. Cuttack, Sambalpur, Balasore,
Ganjam and Phulbani are some, to name a few. |
