Author: Chandrani Roy
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/020400026
Abstract: This study explores the development of Buddhist monasticism in Bengal during the Pāla Dynasty (750–1179 AD) and its profound impact on the broader Buddhist world. The Pāla rulers played a crucial role in establishing and supporting Buddhist monastic institutions such as Nalanda, Vikramashila, and Odantapuri, which became global centers of Buddhist learning. This period saw the evolution of Bengali script, which played a pivotal role in preserving and transmitting Mahāyāna and Tantric Buddhist texts. Additionally, Bengal’s position as a hub for the adaptation of Buddhist teachings, particularly through Sanskrit and Apabhramśa texts, facilitated the spread of Buddhist doctrines across regions like Tibet and Southeast Asia. The study highlights the sociopolitical, cultural, and intellectual contributions of Bengal to the wider Buddhist tradition, providing new insights into the region’s historical significance in the development of Buddhist philosophy, monastic life, and spiritual practices.
Keywords: Bengal, Pāla Dynasty, Buddhist Monasticism, Mahāyāna, Tantric Buddhism, Bengali Script, Sanskrit, Apabhramśa, Vikramashila, Nalanda, Odantapuri, Buddhist Literature, Cultural Transmission, Tibetan Buddhism.
Page No: 180-191