Web Journal

The Truth About Dalai Lama

9:30 PM | BY ZeroDivide EDIT

A lineage in Buddhism is a line of transmission of the Buddhist teaching that is "theoretically traced back to the Buddha himself."^[1] The acknowledgement of the transmission can be oral, or certified in documents. Several branches of Buddhism, including Zen and Tibetan Buddhism maintain records of their historical teachers. These records serve as a validation for the living exponents of the tradition.

Vinaya

In the lineage of the vinaya, the requirements for ordination as a monk or a nun include the presence of at least five other monks, one of whom must be a fully ordained preceptor, and another an acharya (teacher). This lineage for ordaining nuns became extinct in many Buddhist countries. When Ani Tenzin Palmo wanted full ordination for example, she had to travel to Hong Kong to receive it.

Mahasiddha

Lineages in the Mahasiddha tradition do not necessarily originate from the historical Gautama Buddha, but are ultimately grounded, like all Buddhist lineages, in the primordial Dharmakaya Buddha.

Chán and Zen lineages

Main articles: Zen lineage charts and Dharma transmission

Construction of lineages

The idea of a patriarchal lineage in Ch'an dates back to the epitaph for Fărú (法如 638–689), a disciple of the 5th patriarch Hóngrĕn (弘忍 601–674). In the Two Entrances and Four Acts and the Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks, Daoyu and Huike are the only explicitly identified disciples of Bodhidharma. The epitaph gives a line of descent identifying Bodhidharma as the first patriarch.^[2]^[3]
In the 6th century biographies of famous monks were collected. From this genre the typical Ch'an-lineage was developed:

These famous biographies were non-sectarian. The Ch'an biographical works, however, aimed to establish Ch'an as a legitimate school of Buddhism traceable to its Indian origins, and at the same time championed a particular form of Ch'an. Historical accuracy was of little concern to the compilers; old legends were repeated, new stories were invented and reiterated until they too became legends.^[4]

D.T. Suzuki contends that Ch'an's growth in popularity during the 7th and 8th centuries attracted criticism that it had "no authorized records of its direct transmission from the founder of Buddhism" and that Ch'an historians made Bodhidharma the 28th patriarch of Buddhism in response to such attacks.^[5]

Six patriarchs

The earliest lineages described the lineage from Bodhidharma to Huining. There is no generally accepted 7th Chinese Patriarch.^[6]
The principle teachers of the Chan and Zen traditions are commonly known in English translations as Patriarchs, however the more precise terminology would be "Ancestors" or "Founders" (祖, zu3) and "Ancestral Masters" or "Founding Masters" (祖師, zu3shi1) as the commonly used Chinese terms are gender neutral. Various records of different authors are known, which give a variation of transmission lines:

	The Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks Xù gāosēng zhuàn 續高僧傳 of Dàoxuān 道宣 (596-667)	The Record of the Transmission of the Dharma-Jewel Chuán fǎbǎo jì 傳法寶記 of Dù Fěi 杜胐	History of Masters and Disciples of the Laṅkāvatāra-Sūtra Léngqié shīzī jì 楞伽師資紀記 of Jìngjué 淨覺 (ca. 683 - ca. 650)	The Xiǎnzōngjì 显宗记 of Shénhuì 神会
1	Bodhidharma	Bodhidharma	Bodhidharma	Bodhidharma
2	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Dàoyù 道育	Dàoyù 道育	Dàoyù 道育
2	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)	Huìkě 慧可 (487? - 593)
3	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)	Sēngcàn 僧璨 (d.606)
4	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)	Dàoxìn 道信 (580 - 651)
5	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)	Hóngrěn 弘忍 (601 - 674)
6	-	Fǎrú 法如 (638-689)	Yuquan Shenxiu 神秀 (606? - 706)	Huìnéng 慧能 (638-713)
6	-	Yuquan Shenxiu 神秀 (606? - 706) 神秀	Xuánzé 玄賾	Huìnéng 慧能 (638-713)
7	-	-	-	Xuánjué 玄覺 (665-713)

Continuous lineage from Shakyamuni Buddha

Eventually these descriptions of the lineage evolved into a continuous lineage from Śākyamuni Buddha to Bodhidharma. The idea of a line of descent from Śākyamuni Buddha is the basis for the distinctive lineage tradition of the Chán school.
According to the Song of Enlightenment (證道歌 Zhèngdào gē) by Yǒngjiā Xuánjué (665-713),^[7] one of the chief disciples of Huìnéng, Bodhidharma was the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism in a line of descent from Śākyamuni Buddha via his disciple Mahākāśyapa:

Mahakashyapa was the first, leading the line of transmission;
Twenty-eight Fathers followed him in the West;
The Lamp was then brought over the sea to this country;
And Bodhidharma became the First Father here
His mantle, as we all know, passed over six Fathers,
And by them many minds came to see the Light.^[8]

The Transmission of the Light gives 28 patriarchs in this transmission,^[9]^[10] and 53 overall:

	SANSKRT	CHINESE	VIETNAMESE	JAPANESE	KOREAN
1	Mahākāśyapa	摩訶迦葉 / Móhējiāyè	Ma-Ha-Ca-Diếp	Makakashyo	마하가섭 / Mahagasŏp
2	Ānanda	阿難陀 / Ānántuó	A-Nan-Đà / A-Nan	Anan	아난다 / Ananda
3	Śānavāsa	商那和修 / Shāngnàhéxiū	Thương-Na-Hòa-Tu	Shonawashu	상나화수 / Sanahwasa
4	Upagupta	優婆掬多 / Yōupójúduō	Ưu-Ba-Cúc-Đa	Ubakikuta	우바국다 / Ubagupta
5	Dhrtaka	提多迦 / Dīduōjiā	Đề-Đa-Ca	Daitaka	제다가 / Chedaga
6	Miccaka	彌遮迦 / Mízhējiā	Di-Dá-Ca	Mishaka	미차가 / Michaga
7	Vasumitra	婆須密 / Póxūmì	Bà-Tu-Mật	Bashumitsu	바수밀다 / Pasumilta
8	Buddhanandi	浮陀難提 / Fútuónándī	Phật-Đà-Nan-Đề	Buddanandai	불타난제 / Pŭltananje
9	Buddhamitra	浮陀密多 / Fútuómìduō	Phục-Đà-Mật-Đa	Buddamitta	복태밀다 / Puktaemilda
10	Pārśva	婆栗濕婆 / Pólìshīpó	Bà-Lật-Thấp-Bà / Hiếp-Tôn-Giả	Barishiba	협존자 / Hyŏpjonje
11	Punyayaśas	富那夜奢 / Fùnàyèshē	Phú-Na-Dạ-Xa	Funayasha	부나야사 / Punayasa
12	Ānabodhi / Aśvaghoṣa	阿那菩提 / Ānàpútí	A-Na-Bồ-Đề / Mã-Minh	Anabotei	마명 / Mamyŏng
13	Kapimala	迦毘摩羅 / Jiāpímóluó	Ca-Tỳ-Ma-La	Kabimara	가비마라 / Kabimara
14	Nāgārjuna	龍樹 / Lóngshù	Long-Thọ	Ryusho	용수 / Yongsu
15	Kānadeva	迦那提婆 / Jiānàtípó	Ca-Na-Đề-Bà	Kanadaiba	가나제바 / Kanajeba
16	Rāhulata	羅睺羅多 / Luóhóuluóduō	La-Hầu-La-Đa	Ragorata	라후라다 / Rahurada
17	Sanghānandi	僧伽難提 / Sēngqiénántí	Tăng-Già-Nan-Đề	Sōgyanandai	승가난제 / Sŭngsananje
18	Sanghayaśas	僧伽舍多 / Sēngqiéshèduō	Tăng-Già-Da-Xá	Sogyayasha	가야사다 / Kayasada
19	Kumārata	鳩摩羅多 / Jiūmóluóduō	Cưu-Ma-La-Đa	Kumarada	구마라다 / Kumarada
20	Śayata	闍夜多 / Shéyèduō	Xà-Dạ-Đa	Jayana	사야다 / Sayada
21	Vasubandhu	世親 / Shìqīn	Bà-Tu-Bàn-Đầu	Bashyubanzu	바수반두 / Pasubandu
22	Manorhita	摩拏羅 / Mónáluó	Ma-Noa-La	Manura	마나라 / Manara
23	Haklenayaśas	鶴勒夜那夜者 / Hèlèyènàyèzhě	Hạc-Lặc-Na	Kakurokuyasha	학륵나 / Haklŭkna
24	Simhabodhi	師子菩提 / Shīzǐpútí	Sư-Tử-Bồ-Đề / Sư-Tử-Trí	Shishibodai	사자 / Saja
25	Vasiasita	婆舍斯多 / Póshèsīduō	Bà-Xá-Tư-Đa	Bashashita	바사사다 / Pasasada
26	Punyamitra	不如密多 / Bùrúmìduō	Bất-Như-Mật-Đa	Funamitta	불여밀다 / Punyŏmilta
27	Prajñātāra	般若多羅 / Bānruòduōluó	Bát-Nhã-Đa-La	Hannyatara	반야다라 / Panyadara
28	धर्म / Dharma	達磨 / Dámó	Đạt-Ma	だるま / Daruma	달마 / Dalma

Transmission to Japan

Twenty-four different Zen-lineages are recorded to be transmitted to Japan. Only three survived until today. Sōtō was transmitted to Japan by Dogen, who travelled to China for Chan training in the 13th century CE. After receiving Dharma transmission in the Caodong line he returned to Japan and established the Sōtō line. The Linji line was also transmitted to Japan several times, where it became known as the Rinzai line.

Kings of Magadha 600 BC >>>>The Nanda Dynasty [Fear invoked Hyphasis Revolt of Alexandrian Force], The first Empire of India (345–321 BCE)>> Chandragupta 340 BC – 298 BC > Bindusara 320 BC – 272 BC) >Ashoka the Great 304–232 BCE

3:02 PM | BY ZeroDivide EDIT

Chandragupta Maurya renounced his throne to his son, Bindusara, who became the new Maurya Emperor. Bindusara maintained friendly relations with Greek governors in Asia and Egypt. Bindusara's son Ashoka the Great became one of the most influential kings in India's history due to his important role in the history of Buddhism.

The Nanda Dynasty (345–321 BCE) originated from the region of Magadha in ancient India during the 4th century BC. At its greatest extent, the empire ruled by the Nanda Dynasty extended from Bengal in the east, to Punjab in the west and as far south as the Vindhya Range.^[1] The rulers of this dynasty were famed for the great wealth which they accumulated. The Nanda Empire was later conquered by Chandragupta Maurya, who founded the Maurya Empire. The Nandas are sometimes described as the first empire builders in the recorded history of India. They inherited the large kingdom of Magadha and wished to extend it to yet more distant frontiers. To this purpose they built up a vast army, consisting of 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots and 3,000 war elephants (at the lowest estimates). According to Plutarch however, the size of the Nanda army was even larger, numbering 200,000 infantry, 80,000 cavalry, 8,000 war chariots, and 6,000 war elephants.^[6] However, the Nandas never had the opportunity to see their army up against Alexander, who invaded India at the time of Dhana Nanda, since Alexander had to confine his campaign to the plains of Punjab, for his forces, frightened by the prospect of facing a formidable foe, mutinied at the Hyphasis River (the modern Beas River) refusing to march any further. This river thus marks the eastern-most extent of Alexander's conquests.

encyclopedia

Kingdom of Magadha

←

c. 1200 BC–321 BC

→

Expansion of the Magadha state in the 6th-4th centuries BCE

Capital

Rajagriha, thenPataliputra (Modern day Patna)

Languages

Old Indic Languages(e.g. Magadhi Prakrit,Maithili, Other Prakrits,Sanskrit)

Religion

Hinduism
Jainism
Buddhism
Brahmanism

Government

Absolute Monarchy as described in theArthashastra

Historical era

Antiquity

Established

c. 1200 BC

Disestablished

321 BC

Currency

Panas

Today part of

India

Bangladesh

Pakistan

Afghanistan

Nepal

Outline of South Asian history History of Indian subcontinent
Soanian people (500,000 BP)[show]
Stone Age (7000–3000 BC)[show]
Bronze Age (3000–1300 BC)[show]
Iron Age (1200–26 BC)[show]
Classical period (21–1279 AD)[show]
Late medieval period (1206–1596)[show]
Early modern period (1526–1858)[show]
Colonial period (1510–1961)[show]
Other states (1102–1947)[show]
Kingdoms of Sri Lanka[show]
Nation histories[show]
Regional histories[show]
Specialised histories[show]
v t e

Part of a series on the
History of Bangladesh

Timeline
Antiquity[show]
Classical antiquity[show]
Middle Ages[show]
Mughal Bengal[show]
Colonial Bengal[show]
Pakistan era[show]
Bangladesh[show]
Topics[show]
Bangladesh portal
v t e

Magadha (Sanskrit: मगध) formed one of the sixteen Mahā-Janapadas (Sanskrit: "Great Countries") or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganges; its first capital wasRajagriha (modern Rajgir) then Pataliputra (modern Patna). Rajagriha was initially known as 'Girivrijja' and later came to be known as so during the reign of Ajathashatru. Magadha expanded to include most of Bihar and Bengal with the conquest of Licchavi and Anga respectively,^[1] followed by much of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Orissa. The ancient kingdom of Magadha is heavily mentioned in Jain and Buddhist texts. It is also mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas.^[2] A state of Magadha, possibly a tribal kingdom, is recorded in Vedic texts much earlier in time than 600BCE.

The earliest reference to the Magadha people occurs in the Atharva-Veda where they are found listed along with the Angas, Gandharis, and Mujavats. Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainismand Buddhism, and two of India's greatest empires, the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire, originated from Magadha. These empires saw advancements in ancient India's science, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy and were considered the Indian "Golden Age". The Magadha kingdom included republican communities such as the community of Rajakumara. Villages had their own assemblies under their local chiefs called Gramakas. Their administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions.

Geography[edit]

The Magadha state c. 600 BC, before it expanded

The kingdom of the Magadha roughly corresponds to the modern districts of Patna, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Aurangabad, Nawadah and Gaya in southern Bihar, and parts of Bengal in the east. It was bounded on the north by the river Ganges, on the east by the river Champa, on the south by the Vindhya mountains and on the west by the river Sone. During the Buddha’s time and onward, its boundaries included Anga.^[3] This region of Greater Magadha had a culture and religious beliefs of its own that predated the sanatan dharma. Much of the second urbanisation took place here from c. 500 BCE onwards and it was here that Jainism became strong and Buddhism arose. The importance of Magadha's culture can be seen in that both Buddhism and Jainism adopted some of its features, most significantly a belief in rebirth and karmic retribution.^[4] Early Jaina and Brahmanical scriptures describe varieties of ascetic practices that are based on shared assumptions. These assumptions included the belief that liberation can be achieved through knowledge of the self. These practices and their underlying assumptions were present in the culture of Greater Magadha at an early date and are likely to have influenced Jainism and other religions.^[5] The belief in rebirth and karmic retribution was an important feature in later developments in Indian religion and philosophy.

Recorded History[edit]

There is little certain information available on the early rulers of Magadha. The most important sources are the Hindu Puranas, the Buddhist Pāli Canon and Chronicles of Sri Lanka, and Jain texts. Based on these sources, it appears that Magadha was ruled by the Haryanka dynasty for some 200 years, c. 600 BC – 413 BC.

The Mahabharata calls Brihadratha the first ruler of Magadha. The second book of the Mahabharata, the Sabha Parva also includes the story of how Krishna kills king Jarasandha of Magadha, allegedly to stop him from making human sacrifices of 95 kings Jarasandha had captured.

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Kapilavastu in the ancient Shakya clan (an area in modern-day Nepal^[6]) in the 6th or 5th century BC, a tribal territory which was later absorbed by Kosala.

As the scene of many incidents in his life, including his enlightenment, Magadha is often considered a blessed land. King Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty led an active and expansive policy, conquering Anga in what is now West Bengal.

The death of King Bimbisara was at the hands of his son, Prince Ajatashatru. King Pasenadi (Prasenajit), king of neighbouring Kosala and brother-in-law of King Bimbisara, promptly retook the gift of the Kashi province, triggering a war between Kosala and Magadha. Ajatashatru was trapped by an ambush and captured with his army. However, King Prasenajit allowed him and his army to return to Magadha, restored the province of Kashi, and even gave his daughter in marriage to the new young king.

Accounts differ slightly as to the cause of King Ajatashatru's war with the Licchavi republic, an area north of the river Ganges. It appears that Ajatashatru sent a minister to the area who for three years worked to undermine the unity of the Licchavis. To launch his attack across the Ganges River, Ajatashatru built a fort at the town ofPataliputra. Torn by disagreements the Licchavis fought with Ajatashatru. It took fifteen years for Ajatashatru to defeat them. Jain texts tell how Ajatashatru used two new weapons: a catapult, and a covered chariot with swinging mace that has been compared to a modern tank. Pataliputra began to grow as a center of commerce and became the capital of Magadha after Ajatashatru's death.

The Haryanka dynasty was overthrown by the Shishunaga dynasty. The last ruler of Shishunaga Dynasty, Kalasoka was assassinated by Mahapadma Nanda in 345 BC, the first of the so-called Nine Nandas (Mahapadma and his eight sons).

In 326 BC, the army of Alexander approached the western boundaries of Magadha. The army, exhausted and frightened at the prospect of facing another giant Indian army at the Ganges, mutinied at the Hyphasis (modern Beas) and refused to march further East. Alexander, after the meeting with his officer, Coenus, was persuaded that it was better to return and turned south, conquering his way down the Indus to the Ocean.

Around 321 BC, the Nanda Dynasty ended and Chandragupta became the first king of the great Mauryan Dynasty and Mauryan Empire with the help of Vishnugupta. The Empire later extended over most of Southern Asia under King Ashoka, who was at first known as 'Ashoka the Cruel' but later became a disciple of Buddhism and became known as 'Dhamma Ashoka'. Later, the Mauryan Empire ended, as did the Sunga and Khārabēḷa Empire, to be replaced by the Gupta Empire. The capital of the Gupta Empire remained Pataliputra, in Magadha.

Magadha Dynasties[edit]

Haryankasup dynasty[edit]

Main article: Haryankasup dynasty

According to tradition, the Haryanka dynasty founded the Magadha Empire in 600 BC, whose capital was Rajagriha, later Pataliputra, near the present day Patna. This dynasty lasted until 424 BC, when it was overthrown by the Shishunaga dynasty. This period saw the development of two of India's major religions arted from Magadha. Gautama Buddha in the 6th or 5th century BC was the founder of Buddhism, which later spread to East Asia and South-East Asia, while Mahavira revived and propagated the ancient religion ofJainism. Bimbisara was responsible for expanding the boundaries of his kingdom through matrimonial alliances and conquest. The land of Kosala fell to Magadha in this way. Bimbisara (543–493 BCE) was imprisoned and killed by his son Ajatashatru who thus became his successor and is thought to have reigned from 493 to 461 BCE; under his rule the dynasty's territory reached its largest extent.

Licchavi was an ancient republic which existed in what is now Bihar state of India, since before the birth of Mahavira (born 599 BC),^[7]^[8] Vaishali was the capital of the Same place of Bihar Licchavis and the Vajjian Confederacy. The local courtesan Ambapali, famous for her beauty, helped in large measure in making the city prosperous.^[9] Ajatashatru went to war with the Licchavi several times. Ajatashatru also moved the capital of the Magadha kingdom from Rajagriha to Pataliputra. Udaybhadra eventually succeeded his father,Ajatashatru; under him Pataliputra became the largest city in the world.

The kingdom endured a series of particularly bloody successions. Anuruddha eventually succeeded Udaybhadra through assassination; his son Munda succeeded him in the same fashion, as in turn did his son Nagadasaka. It is thought that a civil revolt due in part to these murderous dynastic quarrels led to the emergence of the Nanda dynasty.

Shishunaga dynasty[edit]

Main article: Shishunaga dynasty

According to tradition, the Shishunaga dynasty expanded the Magadha Empire in 413 BC. This dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda dynasty. Shishunaga (also called King Sisunaka) was the founder of a dynasty of 10 kings, collectively called the Shishunaga dynasty. The Shishunaga dynasty in its time was one of the largest empires of the Indian subcontinent.

Nanda dynasty[edit]

Main article: Nanda Dynasty

The Nanda Empire at its greatest extent

The Nanda dynasty was established by Mahapadma Nanda, said to be an illegitimate son of king Mahanandin of the previous Shishunaga dynasty. The Nandas are sometimes described as the first empire builders of India. They inherited the large kingdom of Magadha and wished to extend it to yet more distant frontiers. Their empire reached its greatest extent under the leadership of Dhana Nanda, but after his reign the Nandas were replaced by the Maurya dynasty.

Maurya dynasty[edit]

Main article: List of Mauryan rulers

The Maurya Empire at its greatest extent (Ashoka's empire)

In 321 BC, exiled general Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya dynasty after overthrowing the reigning Nanda king Dhana Nanda to establish the Maurya Empire. During this time, most of the subcontinent was united under a single government for the first time. Capitalising on the destabilization of northern India by the Persian and Greek incursions, the Mauryan empire under Chandragupta not only conquered most of the Indian subcontinent, but also pushed its boundaries into Persia and Central Asia, conquering the Gandhara region. Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara, who expanded the kingdom over most of present day India, barring the extreme south and east.

The Buddhist stupa at Sanchi, built during the Mauryan period

The kingdom was inherited by his son Ashoka The Great who initially sought to expand his kingdom. In the aftermath of the carnage caused in the invasion of Kalinga, he renounced bloodshed and pursued a policy of non-violence or ahimsa after converting to Buddhism. The Edicts of Ashoka are the oldest preserved historical documents of India. From Ashoka's time, approximate dating of dynasties becomes possible. The Mauryan dynasty under Ashoka was responsible for the proliferation of Buddhist ideals across the whole of East Asia and South-East Asia, fundamentally altering the history and development of Asia as a whole. Ashoka the Great has been described as one of the greatest rulers the world has seen.

Extent of the Sunga Empire

Sunga dynasty[edit]

Main article: Sunga Empire

The Sunga dynasty was established in 185 BC, about fifty years after Ashoka's death, when the king Brihadratha, the last of the Mauryan rulers, was assassinated by the then commander-in-chief of the Mauryan armed forces, Pushyamitra Sunga, while he was taking the Guard of Honour of his forces. Pushyamitra Sunga then ascended the throne.

Kanva dynasty[edit]

Main article: Kanva dynasty

The Kanva dynasty replaced the Sunga dynasty, and ruled in the eastern part of India from 71 BC to 26 BC. The last ruler of the Sunga dynasty Devbhuti was overthrown by Vasudeva of the Kanva dynasty in 73 BC. The Kanva ruler allowed the kings of the Sunga dynasty to continue to rule in obscurity in a corner of their former dominions. Magadha was ruled by four Kanva rulers. In 60 BC, the southern power swept away both the Kanvas and Sungas and the province of Eastern Malwa was absorbed within the dominions of the conqueror. Following the collapse of the Kanva dynasty, the Satavahana dynasty of the Andhra kingdomreplaced the Magandhan kingdom as the most powerful Indian state.

Gupta dynasty[edit]

Main article: Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire (240 to 550 AD)

The Gupta dynasty ruled from around AD 240 to 550. The Gupta Empire was one of the largest political and military empires in ancient India.^[10]^[11] This period has been called the Golden Age of India^[12] and was marked by extensive achievements in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture.^[13] Thedecimal numeral system, including the concept of zero, was invented in India during this period.^[14] The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors in India.^[15]

The high points of this cultural creativity are magnificent architecture, sculpture, and painting.^[16] The Gupta period produced scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma, and Vatsyayana who made great advancements in many academic fields.^[17] Science and political administration reached new heights during the Gupta era. Strong trade ties also made the region an important cultural center and established it as a base that would influence nearby kingdoms and regions in Burma, Sri Lanka, the Malay Archipelago, and Indochina.

The Gupta period marked a watershed of Indian culture: the Guptas performed Vedic sacrifices to legitimize their rule, but they also patronized Buddhism, which continued to provide an alternative to Brahmanical orthodoxy. The military exploits of the first three rulers—Chandragupta I (c. 319–335), Samudragupta (c. 335–376), and Chandragupta II (c. 376–415) —brought much of India under their leadership.^[18] They successfully resisted the northwestern kingdoms until the arrival of the Hunas, who established themselves in Afghanistan by the first half of the 5th century, with their capital at Bamiyan.^[19] However, much of the Deccan and southern India were largely unaffected by these events in the north.^[20]^[21]

Kings of Magadha[edit]

Haryanka dynasty (c. 600 – 413 BC)[edit]

Bhattiya or
Bimbisara (543–491 BC)
Ajatashatru (491–460 BC)
Udayabhadra
Anuruddha
Munda
Nagadasaka

Shishunaga dynasty (413–345 BC)[edit]

Shishunaga (413–395 BC)
Kakavarna Kalashoka (395–367 BC)
Mahanandin (367–345 BC)

Nanda Dynasty (345–321 BCE)[edit]

Mahapadma Nanda Ugrasena (from 345 BC), illegitimate son of Mahanandin, founded the Nanda Empire after inheriting Mahanandin's empire
Pandhuka
Panghupati
Bhutapala
Rashtrapala
Govishanaka
Dashasidkhaka
Kaivarta
Dhana Nanda (Agrammes, Xandrammes) (until 321 BC), overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya

Maurya Dynasty (324–184 BC)[edit]

Chandragupta Maurya (Sandrakottos) (324–301 BC), the greatest emperor of ancient India, founded the Mauryan Empire after defeating both the Nanda Empire and the Macedonian Seleucid Empire
Bindusara or Amritrochates (301–273 BC)
Ashoka Vardhana (Ashoka the Great) (273–232 BC), considered the greatest ancient Indian emperor, first emperor to unify India (after conquering most of South Asia and Afghanistan), adopt Buddhism, grant animal rights and promote non-violence, a secular administrator,often called the emperor of all ages.
Dasaratha (232–224 BC)
Samprati (224–215 BC)
Salisuka (215–202 BC)
Devavarman (202–195 BC)
Satadhanvan (195–187 BC), the Mauryan Empire had shrunk by the time of his reign
Brihadrata (187–184 BC), assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga

Shunga Dynasty (185–73 BC)[edit]

Pushyamitra Shunga (185–149 BC), founded the dynasty after assassinating Brihadrata
Agnimitra (149–141 BC), son and successor of Pushyamitra
Vasujyeshtha (141–131 BC)
Vasumitra (131–124 BC)
Andhraka (124–122 BC)
Pulindaka (122–119 BC)
Ghosha
Vajramitra
Bhagabhadra, mentioned by the Puranas
Devabhuti (83–73 BC), last Sunga king

Kanva Dynasty (73–26 BC)[edit]

Vasudeva (c. 73 – c. 66 BCE)
Bhumimitra (c. 66 – c. 52 BCE)
Narayana (c. 52 – c. 40 BCE)
Susarman (c. 40 – c. 26 BCE)

Gupta Dynasty (c. AD 240–550)[edit]

Sri-Gupta I (c. 240–290)
Ghatotkacha (290–305)
Chandra Gupta I (305–335), founder of the Gupta Empire, which is often regarded as the golden age of Indian culture
Samudra Gupta (335–370)
Rama Gupta (370–375)
Chandra Gupta II (Chandragupta Vikramaditya) (375–415), son of Samudra Gupta, the Gupta Empire achieved its zenith under his reign, the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien describes Indian culture during his reign
Kumara Gupta I (415–455)
Skanda Gupta (455–467)
Kumara Gupta II (467–477)
Buddha Gupta (477–496)
Chandra Gupta III (496–500)
Vainya Gupta (500–515)
Narasimha Gupta (510–530)
Kumara Gupta III (530–540)
Vishnu Gupta (c. 540–550)

Chandragupta Maurya
Samrat Chakravartin
Statue of Chandragupta Maurya at the Birla Mandir, Delhi
Maurya Emperor
Reign	322BC - 298BC
Predecessor	Dhana Nanda of the Nanda Empire
Successor	Bindusara

Spouse	Durdhara
Issue	Bindusara
House	Maurya
Born	340 BC [बैसाख कृष्ण पक्ष चतुर्दशी ] Pataliputra, Bihar, India
Died	298 BC Shravanbelgola, Karnataka, India^[1]

Web Journal

The Truth About Dalai Lama

Lineage in Buddhism

Contents

Vinaya

Mahasiddha

Chán and Zen lineages

Construction of lineages

Six patriarchs

Continuous lineage from Shakyamuni Buddha

Transmission to Japan

Kings of Magadha 600 BC >>>>The Nanda Dynasty [Fear invoked Hyphasis Revolt of Alexandrian Force], The first Empire of India (345–321 BCE)>> Chandragupta 340 BC – 298 BC > Bindusara 320 BC – 272 BC) >Ashoka the Great 304–232 BCE

Contents

Geography[edit]

Recorded History[edit]

Magadha Dynasties[edit]

Haryankasup dynasty[edit]

Shishunaga dynasty[edit]

Nanda dynasty[edit]

Maurya dynasty[edit]

Sunga dynasty[edit]

Kanva dynasty[edit]

Gupta dynasty[edit]

Kings of Magadha[edit]

Haryanka dynasty (c. 600 – 413 BC)[edit]

Shishunaga dynasty (413–345 BC)[edit]

Nanda Dynasty (345–321 BCE)[edit]

Maurya Dynasty (324–184 BC)[edit]

Shunga Dynasty (185–73 BC)[edit]

Kanva Dynasty (73–26 BC)[edit]

Gupta Dynasty (c. AD 240–550)[edit]

See also[edit]

Contents

Topics

Archive

Mahāyāna Buddhism
Part of a series on

Countries[show]
Teachings[show]
Mahāyāna sūtras[show]
Mahāyāna schools[show]
Other traditions [show]
Mahayana Buddhism portal
v t e