Vikramshila
Encyclopedia
University was one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala dynasty
, along with University. was established by King Dharmapala
(783 to 820) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nālandā. Atisha, the renowned pandita
, is sometimes listed as a notable abbot.
Vikramasila (village Antichak, district Bhagalpur
, Bihar) is located at about 50 km east of Bhagalpur
and about 13 km north-east of Kahalgaon, a railway station on Bhagalpur-Sahebganj section of Eastern Railway. It is approachable through 11 km long motorable road diverting from N.H.80 at Anadipur about 2 km from Kahalgaon.
and Magadha
. According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramaśīla, the premier university of the era; Nalanda
, past its prime but still illustrious, Somapura, Odantapurā
, and Jaggadala
. The five monasteries formed a network; "all of them were under state supervision" and there existed "a system of co-ordination among them . . it seems from the evidence that the different seats of Buddhist learning that functioned in eastern India under the Pāla were regarded together as forming a network, an interlinked group of institutions," and it was common for great scholars to move easily from position to position among them.
Vikramaśīla was founded by Pāla
king Dharmapala
in the late 8th or early 9th Century A.D. It prospered for about four centuries before it was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji during fighting with the Sena dynasty
along with the other major centers of Buddhism
in India
around 1200 CE.
Vikramaśīla is known to us mainly through Tibetan sources, especially the writings of Tāranātha
, the Tibetan monk historian of 16th-17th Century AD.
Vikramaśīla was one of the largest Buddhist universities, with more than one hundred teachers and about one thousand students. It produced eminent scholars who were often invited by foreign countries to spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion. The most distinguished and eminent among all was Atiśa Dipankara, a founder of the Sarma
traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Subjects like philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, Indian logic
etc. were taught here, but the most important branch of learning was tantrism.
According to Tāranātha, at Vikramaśīla's peak during the reign of King Canaka (955-83), the dvārapāla were as follows: Ratnākaraśānti (Eastern Gate), Vāgīsvarakīrti (Western Gate), Ratnavajra (First Central Gate), Jñānaśrīmitra (Second Central Gate), Naropa
(Northern Gate), and Prajñākaramati (Southern Gate). If this is correct, it must have been toward the end of Canaka's reign given the generally accepted dates for Naropa (956-1041).
In chronological order:
, Bihar
state
, India
, and the process is still underway. Meticulous excavation at the site was conducted initially by Patna University (1960–69) and subsequently by Archaeological Survey of India (1972–82). It has revealed a huge square monastery with a cruciform stupa
in its centre, a library building and cluster of votive stupas. To the north of monastery a number of scattered structures including a Tibetan and a Hindu temple have been found. The entire spread is over an area of more than one hundred acres.
The monastery, or residence for the Buddhist monks, is a huge square structure, each side measuring 330 metres having a series of 208 cells, 52 on each of the four sides opening into a common verandah. A few brick arched underground chambers beneath some of the cells have also been noticed which were probably meant for confined meditation by the monks.
The main stupa built for the purpose of worship is a brick structure laid in mud mortar which stands in the centre of the square monastery. This two terraced stupa is cruciform on plan and about 15 metres high from the ground level accessible through a flight of steps on the north side. On each of the four cardinal directions there is a protruding chamber with a pillared antechamber and a separate pillared mandapa in front. In the four chambers of the stupa were placed colossal stucco images of seated Buddha of which three were found in situ but the remaining one on north side was possibly replaced by a stone image after the clay image was somehow damaged.
About 32 metres south of the monastery on its south west corner and attached with the main monastery through a narrow corridor is a rectangular structure identified as a library building. It was air-conditioned by cooled water of the adjoining reservoir through a range of vents in the back wall. The system was perhaps meant for preserving delicate manuscripts.
A large number of antiquities of different materials, unearthed from this place in the course of excavation, are displayed in the site museum maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
.
The Vikramshila stupa built for the purpose of worship is a brick structure laid in mud mortar and stands in the centre of the square monastery. This two terraced stupa is cruciform on plan and about 15 meters high from the ground level. The lower Terrance is about 2.25 meters high from the ground level and the upper terrace is at a similar height from the lower side. At both terraces there is a circumbulatory path, the lower about 4.50 meters wide and the upper about 3 meters wide.
The main stupa placed over the upper terrace is accessible through a flight of steps on the north side on each of the four cardinal direction. There is a protruding chamber with a pillared antechamber
and a separate pillared mandapa in front, placed beyond the circumbulatory passage. In the four chambers of stupa were placed colossal stucco images of seated buddha of which three were found in Situ
but the remaining of the north side was possibly replaced by a stone image after the clay image was somehow damaged. All the Stucco images are unfortunately broken above the waist portion. The images are placed over a brick pedestal having traces of painting in red and black pigments. The walls and floors of the chamber and Antechamber were plastered with lime.
The walls of both the terraces are decorated with mouldings and terracotta plaques which testify the high excellence of Terracotta art flourishing in the region during pala period (8th to 12th century A.D). Over the palques are depicted many buddhist deities like Buddha
, Avalokiteshvara, manjusri
, Maitreya
, Jambala, Marichi, Tara and scenes related to buddhism in addition to some social and hinting scenes and a few Hindi deities like Vishnu
, Parvati
, Ardhanarisvara and Hanuman
In Addition many human figures like that of Asceitc,Yogi, preacher, drummer, warrier, archer, snake charmer etc. and animal figures like Monkey, Elephant, Horse, Dear, Boar, Panther, Lion, wolf and birds are depicted.
The Architecture of the Stupa and the Terracotta plaques bear great resemblance to the somapura mahavihar, Paharpur (Bangladesh) which, too, was founded by the same king Dharmapala
. On plan both are very much alike with the significant difference that Somapura is centered around a central temple rather than a stupa. Vikramasila monastery is also larger and has fort like projections on its outer wall.
From the year 2009, there has been considerable work in maintaining and beautifying the place to attract tourism. There has been inflow of western tourist as well, during their river cruises on the ganges river.
place Anadipur about 2 km from Kahalgaon.
Lately river cruises from Kolkata to Varanasi have started, which also stop by the Vikramshila ruins. The river cruises are conducted by Pandaw cruises.
The river curises have started from September 2009
that runs from Delhi
to Bhagalpur
, Bihar
.
Pala Empire
The Pāla Empire was one of the major middle kingdoms of India existed from 750–1174 CE. It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala , which means protector. The Palas were often described...
, along with University. was established by King Dharmapala
Dharmapala of Bengal
Dharama Pala was the second ruler of the Pala Empire of Bengal region in the Indian Subcontinent. He was the son and succeessor of Gopala , the founder of the Pala Dynasty. He greatly expanded the boundaries of the Pala Empire founded by his father and made the Palas the most dominant power in...
(783 to 820) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nālandā. Atisha, the renowned pandita
Pandita (Buddhism)
Paṇḍita was a title in Indian Buddhism awarded to scholars who have mastered the five sciences Paṇḍita (Sanskrit; Tibetan: khepa; Wyl: mkhas pa) was a title in Indian Buddhism awarded to scholars who have mastered the five sciences Paṇḍita (Sanskrit; Tibetan: khepa; Wyl: mkhas pa) was a title in...
, is sometimes listed as a notable abbot.
Vikramasila (village Antichak, district Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur District
Bhagalpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Bhagalpur town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-Geography:...
, Bihar) is located at about 50 km east of Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
and about 13 km north-east of Kahalgaon, a railway station on Bhagalpur-Sahebganj section of Eastern Railway. It is approachable through 11 km long motorable road diverting from N.H.80 at Anadipur about 2 km from Kahalgaon.
History
A number of monasteries grew up during the Pāla period in ancient BengalBengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
and Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
. According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramaśīla, the premier university of the era; Nalanda
Nalanda
Nālandā is the name of an ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India.The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from the fifth or sixth century CE to 1197 CE. It has been called "one of the...
, past its prime but still illustrious, Somapura, Odantapurā
Odantapuri
Odantapuri, also called Odantapura or Uddandapura, was a Buddhist vihara in what is now Bihar, India. It was established by king Dharmapala of Pala dynasty in the 8th century. It is considered the second oldest of India's universities and was situated in Magadha, Recently it is known as a Bihar...
, and Jaggadala
Jaggadala
Jagaddala Mahavihara was a Buddhist monastery and seat of learning in Varendra, a geographical unit in present north Bengal....
. The five monasteries formed a network; "all of them were under state supervision" and there existed "a system of co-ordination among them . . it seems from the evidence that the different seats of Buddhist learning that functioned in eastern India under the Pāla were regarded together as forming a network, an interlinked group of institutions," and it was common for great scholars to move easily from position to position among them.
Vikramaśīla was founded by Pāla
Pala Empire
The Pāla Empire was one of the major middle kingdoms of India existed from 750–1174 CE. It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala , which means protector. The Palas were often described...
king Dharmapala
Dharmapala of Bengal
Dharama Pala was the second ruler of the Pala Empire of Bengal region in the Indian Subcontinent. He was the son and succeessor of Gopala , the founder of the Pala Dynasty. He greatly expanded the boundaries of the Pala Empire founded by his father and made the Palas the most dominant power in...
in the late 8th or early 9th Century A.D. It prospered for about four centuries before it was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji during fighting with the Sena dynasty
Sena dynasty
The Sena Empire was a Hindu dynasty that ruled from Bengal through the 11th and 12th centuries. At its peak the empire covered much of the north-eastern region in the Indian Subcontinent. They were called Brahma-Kshatriyas, as evidenced through their surname, which is derived from the Sanskrit,...
along with the other major centers of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
around 1200 CE.
Vikramaśīla is known to us mainly through Tibetan sources, especially the writings of Tāranātha
Taranatha
Tāranātha was a Lama of the Jonang school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is widely considered its most remarkable scholar and exponent....
, the Tibetan monk historian of 16th-17th Century AD.
Vikramaśīla was one of the largest Buddhist universities, with more than one hundred teachers and about one thousand students. It produced eminent scholars who were often invited by foreign countries to spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion. The most distinguished and eminent among all was Atiśa Dipankara, a founder of the Sarma
Sarma (Tibetan Buddhism)
Sarma In Tibetan Buddhism, the Sarma schools include the three newest of the four main schools, comprising:*Kagyu*Sakya*Kadam/Gelukand their sub-branches.The Nyingma school is the sole Ngagyur or "old translation," school....
traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Subjects like philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, Indian logic
Indian logic
The development of Indian logic dates back to the anviksiki of Medhatithi Gautama the Sanskrit grammar rules of Pāṇini ; the Vaisheshika school's analysis of atomism ; the analysis of inference by Gotama , founder of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy; and the tetralemma of Nagarjuna...
etc. were taught here, but the most important branch of learning was tantrism.
Organization
According to scholar Sukumar Dutt, Vikramaśīla appears to have had a more clearly delineated hierarchy than other mahaviharas, as follows:- Abbot (Adhyakṣa)
- Six gate protectors or gate scholars (Dvārapāla or Dvārapaṇḍita), one each for the Eastern, Western, First Central, Second Central, Northern, and Southern Gates
- Great Scholars (Mahapaṇḍita)
- Scholars (Paṇḍita), roughly 108 in number
- Professors or Teachers (Upādhyāya or Āchārya), roughly 160 in number including paṇḍitas
- Resident monks (bhikṣu), roughly 1,000 in number
According to Tāranātha, at Vikramaśīla's peak during the reign of King Canaka (955-83), the dvārapāla were as follows: Ratnākaraśānti (Eastern Gate), Vāgīsvarakīrti (Western Gate), Ratnavajra (First Central Gate), Jñānaśrīmitra (Second Central Gate), Naropa
Naropa
thumb|right|NaropaNāropā was an Indian Buddhist yogi, mystic and monk. He was the disciple of Tilopa and brother, or some sources say partner and pupil, of Niguma. Naropa was the main teacher of Marpa, the founder of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism...
(Northern Gate), and Prajñākaramati (Southern Gate). If this is correct, it must have been toward the end of Canaka's reign given the generally accepted dates for Naropa (956-1041).
Tantric preceptors
Vikramaśīla was a center for Vajrayana and employed tantric preceptors. The first was Buddhajñānapāda, followed by Dīpaṁkarabhadra and Jayabadhra. The first two were active during Dharmapāla's reign, the third in the early to mid portion of the ninth century. Jayabadhra was the first prominent commentator on the Cakrasamvara tantra. Śrīdhara was the next preceptor, followed by Bhavabhaṭṭa. The latter, also a prominent commentator on Cakrasamvara, may have been the mahāsiddha Bhadrapāda. He in turn was succeed by three more prominent Cakrasamvara commentators, Bhavyakīrti, Durjayacandra, and Tathāgatarakṣita. Durjayacandra collaborated with the renowned Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo (rin chen bzang po) and his commentary became particularly important for the Sakya school, and Tathāgatarakṣita collaborated with Rin-chen grags.In chronological order:
- Buddhajñānapāda
- Dīpaṁkarabhadra
- Jayabadhra
- Śrīdhara
- Bhavabhaṭṭa
- Bhavyakīrti
- Līlavājra
- Durjayacandra
- Samayavajra
- Tathāgatarakṣita
- Bodhibhadra
- Kamalarakṣita
Layout and excavation
The remains of the ancient university have been partially excavated at village Antichak in the Bhagalpur districtBhagalpur District
Bhagalpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Bhagalpur town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-Geography:...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and the process is still underway. Meticulous excavation at the site was conducted initially by Patna University (1960–69) and subsequently by Archaeological Survey of India (1972–82). It has revealed a huge square monastery with a cruciform stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
in its centre, a library building and cluster of votive stupas. To the north of monastery a number of scattered structures including a Tibetan and a Hindu temple have been found. The entire spread is over an area of more than one hundred acres.
The monastery, or residence for the Buddhist monks, is a huge square structure, each side measuring 330 metres having a series of 208 cells, 52 on each of the four sides opening into a common verandah. A few brick arched underground chambers beneath some of the cells have also been noticed which were probably meant for confined meditation by the monks.
The main stupa built for the purpose of worship is a brick structure laid in mud mortar which stands in the centre of the square monastery. This two terraced stupa is cruciform on plan and about 15 metres high from the ground level accessible through a flight of steps on the north side. On each of the four cardinal directions there is a protruding chamber with a pillared antechamber and a separate pillared mandapa in front. In the four chambers of the stupa were placed colossal stucco images of seated Buddha of which three were found in situ but the remaining one on north side was possibly replaced by a stone image after the clay image was somehow damaged.
About 32 metres south of the monastery on its south west corner and attached with the main monastery through a narrow corridor is a rectangular structure identified as a library building. It was air-conditioned by cooled water of the adjoining reservoir through a range of vents in the back wall. The system was perhaps meant for preserving delicate manuscripts.
A large number of antiquities of different materials, unearthed from this place in the course of excavation, are displayed in the site museum maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India is a department of the Government of India, attached to the Ministry of Culture . The ASI is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of archaeological heritage of the country in accordance with the various acts of the Indian Parliament...
.
The Stupa
The Stupa is a sacred solid structure raised over the body remains or belongings of buddha or a distinguished monk; or to commemorate any event associated with them. But some stupas are merely symbolic made for worship by the monks. Votive stupa is a miniature stupa erected by a devotee in gratitude of fulfillment of his desire.The Vikramshila stupa built for the purpose of worship is a brick structure laid in mud mortar and stands in the centre of the square monastery. This two terraced stupa is cruciform on plan and about 15 meters high from the ground level. The lower Terrance is about 2.25 meters high from the ground level and the upper terrace is at a similar height from the lower side. At both terraces there is a circumbulatory path, the lower about 4.50 meters wide and the upper about 3 meters wide.
The main stupa placed over the upper terrace is accessible through a flight of steps on the north side on each of the four cardinal direction. There is a protruding chamber with a pillared antechamber
Antechamber
An antechamber is a smaller room or vestibule serving as an entryway into a larger one. The word is formed of the Latin ante camera, meaning "room before"....
and a separate pillared mandapa in front, placed beyond the circumbulatory passage. In the four chambers of stupa were placed colossal stucco images of seated buddha of which three were found in Situ
Situ
The words situ and situs are Latin for "site" . They also have other meanings .Situ can refer to:* in situ, Latin phrase meaning on-site or in-place...
but the remaining of the north side was possibly replaced by a stone image after the clay image was somehow damaged. All the Stucco images are unfortunately broken above the waist portion. The images are placed over a brick pedestal having traces of painting in red and black pigments. The walls and floors of the chamber and Antechamber were plastered with lime.
The walls of both the terraces are decorated with mouldings and terracotta plaques which testify the high excellence of Terracotta art flourishing in the region during pala period (8th to 12th century A.D). Over the palques are depicted many buddhist deities like Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
, Avalokiteshvara, manjusri
Manjusri
Mañjuśrī is a bodhisattva associated with transcendent wisdom in Mahāyāna Buddhism. In Esoteric Buddhism he is also taken as a meditational deity. The Sanskrit name Mañjuśrī can be translated as "Gentle Glory"...
, Maitreya
Maitreya
Maitreya , Metteyya , or Jampa , is foretold as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he or she is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on...
, Jambala, Marichi, Tara and scenes related to buddhism in addition to some social and hinting scenes and a few Hindi deities like Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
, Parvati
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
, Ardhanarisvara and Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
In Addition many human figures like that of Asceitc,Yogi, preacher, drummer, warrier, archer, snake charmer etc. and animal figures like Monkey, Elephant, Horse, Dear, Boar, Panther, Lion, wolf and birds are depicted.
The Architecture of the Stupa and the Terracotta plaques bear great resemblance to the somapura mahavihar, Paharpur (Bangladesh) which, too, was founded by the same king Dharmapala
Dharmapala
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a dharmapāla is a type of wrathful deity. The name means "Dharma-defender" in Sanskrit, and the dharmapālas are also known as the Defenders of the Law , or the Protectors of the Law, in English....
. On plan both are very much alike with the significant difference that Somapura is centered around a central temple rather than a stupa. Vikramasila monastery is also larger and has fort like projections on its outer wall.
Restoration work
Vikramaśīla was neglected for years which contributed to extensive damages to the monument A.S.I. is now planning to develop the excavated site of Vikramshila University.From the year 2009, there has been considerable work in maintaining and beautifying the place to attract tourism. There has been inflow of western tourist as well, during their river cruises on the ganges river.
Cultural activities
The Vikramshila site is the place for Vikramshila Mahotsav, which is held annually during the month of February.How to reach there
Nearest Big Town is Kahalgaon about 13 km ,It is approachable through 11 km long motorable road diverting from N.H. 80 atplace Anadipur about 2 km from Kahalgaon.
Lately river cruises from Kolkata to Varanasi have started, which also stop by the Vikramshila ruins. The river cruises are conducted by Pandaw cruises.
The river curises have started from September 2009
In popular culture
Indian Railway Train fames this place by running a Train No. 2367/2368 Vikramshila ExpressVikramshila Express
The train connects Bhagalpur in eastern Bihar to Patna , capital of Bihar and also the national capital New Delhi .-Train Number:*2367 Bhagalpur to New Delhi Railway Station...
that runs from Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
to Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
.