The Rise and Decline of Buddhism in India

About the Book:

There is no dearth of books and monographs on Indian Buddhism but a related account of the rise, development of Buddhism and its decline has not been attempted. The present work is a modest contribution in this direction. It provides an in depth study of Indian Buddhism and traces its history, development and decline and places it in proper perspective. Divided into fourteen chapters covering three major themes: introduction, progress and decline of Buddhism, the book discusses its various stages. It based mainly on primary sources, focuses attention on different aspects of Buddhism that helped it to rise and to reach at the zenith of its glory.

About the Author:

Dr. Kanai Lal Hazra is reader in the Department of Pali at the University of Calcutta. He is a Specialist in South-East Asian history, culture and civilization. His published works are: History of Theravada Buddhism in South-East Asia; The Buddhist Annals and Chronicles of South-East Asia; Royal Patronage of Buddhism in Ancient India; Buddhism in India as Described by the Chinese Pilgrims; and The Adi Buddha.

CONTENTS

Preface
Abbreviations

PART ONE

Chapter 1
THE RISE OF BUDDHISM

Contemporary Kings

The Haryanka Dynasty
The Kosalan Dynasty
The Avanti Dynasty
The Vatsa Dynasty
Gandhara
Sovira

Contemporary Clans

Chapter 2
THE PROGRESS OF BUDDHISM UP TO THE PRE-MAURYA PERIOD

The Haryanka Dynasty
The Sisunaga Dynasty or the Susunaga Dynasty
The Nanda Dynasty

Chapter 3
BUDDHISM IN THE MAURYA EMPIRE

Chapter 3
BUDDHISM DURING THE REIGN OF THE SUNGAS, THE KANVAS, THE SATAVAHANAS AND THE SUCCESSORS OF THE SATAVAHANAS

The Sungas
The Kanvas
The Satavahanas
The Successors of the Satavahanas
The Anandas of Kandarapura
The Brhatphalayanas of Kudarahara of Kudura
The Salankayanas of Vengi
The Abhiras
The Bodhis
The Vakatakas

Chapter 5
BUDDHISM DURING THE RULES OF THE INDO-GREEKS AND THE INDO-SCYTHIANS

The Indo-Greeks
The Saka Satraps
The Parthians
The Great Kusanas
The Saka Satraps of Western India and the Deccan
The Kardamakas or Karddamakas

Chapter 6
BUDDHISM UNDER THE GUPTAS AND LATER GUPTAS

Chapter 7
BUDDHISM DURING THE REIGN OF THE MAUKHARIS, HARSAVARDHANA AND THE MAITRAKAS

The Maukharis of Kanauj
In the Age of Harsavardhana
The Maitrakas

Chapter 8
BUDDHISM IN NORTHERN INDIA AFTER HARSA

The Kingdom of Kamarupa
Kashmir

The Utpala Dynasty (c. AD 855-56-939)
The Lohara Dynasty (AD 1003-1771)
Successors of the Loharas (c. AD 1171-1339)

The Gurjara-Pratihara Kings of Kanauj
The Gahadavalas of Kanauj
The Chandatreyas of the Chandellas of Jejabhukti or Bundelkhand
The Kalacuris
The Paramaras
The Paramaras of Lata and Malava (Malwa)
The Chahamanas or the Chahumanas or the Chauhans
The Chahamanas of Sakambhari, Ajmer and Delhi

Chapter 9
BUDDHISM DURING THE REIGN OF SASANKA OF GAUDA

The Palas
Several Minor Dynasties of Bengal
Three Rulers of Samatata
The Rata Dynasty
The Natha Dynasty
The Khadga Dynasty
The Kamboja-Pala Dynasty (c. AD 911-92)
The Harikela Kingdom under Kantideva
The Chandras of Taranatha's Account
The Chandra Dynasty
The Sutras (c.AD950-1100)
The Varman Dynasty
The Sena Dynasty
The Sudraka Dynasty (c. AD 100-50)
The Manas (c.AD1100)
The Kaivartas (c. AD 1080-1100)
The Chikkoras of Pithi
The Kingdom of Pithi
The Deva Dynasty
The Kingdom of Pattikera
The Minor Gupta Dynasty

Chapter 10
BUDDHISM IN SOUTHERN INDIA

The Chalukyas of Vatapi (Badami)
The Chalukyas of Kalyana or Kalyani
The Rastrakutas of Manyakheta (Malkhed)
The Yadava Dynasty of Devagiri
The Kakatiyas of Warangal
The Silaharas
The Kadambas
The Gangas of Talkad or Talakkad
The Hoysalas of Dvarasamudra or Dorasamudra
The Pallavas of Kanci
The Colas
The Pandyas of Madura
Conclusion

PART TWO

Chapter 11
INDIA IN AD 630 AS DESCRIBED BY HIUEN-TSANG

Chapter 12
GRADUAL DECLINE OF BUDDHISM IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF INDIA

Southern India (Daksinapatha)
Northern India (Uttarapatha)
Western India
Central India (Madhyadesa)
Eastern India

Chapter 13
CAUSES OF THE DECLINE OF BUDDHISM IN INDIA

Chapter 14
CONCLUSION: NO DECLINE BUT GRADUAL ASSIMILATION WITH BRAHMINICAL RELIGION OR IS BUDDHISM REALLY EXTINCT FROM THE MOTHERLAND?

Bibliography
Index