Devapala (Pala dynasty)
Devapala (Skt. Devapāla; c. 9th century) was the successor of Dharmapala and the third emperor of the Pala Empire (in the region of Bengal). During his reign, the Pāla Empire reached the height of its territorial extent and prosperity. He was known to be the Overlord of Aryavarta.
Devapala was the third king in the line, and had succeeded his father Dharamapala.
Like his father Devapala was a staunch sponsor of Mahayana Buddhism, and approved the construction of many Buddhist temples and monasteries in Magadha.[1] He maintained the famous Buddhist monastery at Uddandapura (Odantapuri). Buton Rinchen Drub credits his father Dharmapala for building the monastery, although other Tibetan accounts such as that of Taranatha, state that it was magically built and then entrusted to Devapala.
Balaputradeva, the Sailendra king of Java, sent an ambassador to him, asking for a grant of five villages for the construction of a monastery at Nalanda. The request was granted by Devapala. King Devapala granted five villages were Nandivanāka, Maņivāțaka, Națikā, Hasti and Pālāmaka to Nalanda University.[2] He also patronized the Vikramashila University and the Nalanda University.[3] Devapāla patron of Buddhism, supporting esoteric practices and scholars like Haribhadra and Buddhajñānapāda. His contributions include founding major monastic centers such as Somapura, Vikramaśīla, and Odantāpura, along with numerous Buddhist monuments in eastern India.[4]
Buddhist scholar Vajradatta (the author of Lokesvarashataka), was the court poet of Devapala.[5]
Notes
- ↑ S N Sen (1987). Ancient Indian history and civilization.
Like his father, Devapala was a great patron of Buddhism and his fame spread to many Buddhist countries outside India.
- ↑ Sankalia, Hasmukh D. (1934). University Of Nalanda. p. 54.
King Devapala-deva through an ambassador of his, Balavarmman, to grant five villages, Nandivanāka, Maņivāțaka, Națikā, Hasti and Pālāmaka towards the income for the blessed Lord Buddha, the abode of all the virtues like Prajñāpāramitā, for the offerings, oblations, shelter, garments, etc., of the assembly of the venerable bhikkhus and for the upkeep and repair of the monastery when damaged.
- ↑ H. Heras, Hasmukh D. Sankalia. Indian Archeology Today. Central Archeological Library. p. 118.
- ↑ Medieval sculpture from eastern India : selections from the Nalin collection. Livingston, N.J.: Nalini International Publications. 1985. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-9614416-0-9.
Buddhist Esoterism in particular, having accepted as preceptors the monks Haribhadra and Buddhajñānapāda, well-known for their mastery of the Guhyasamāja and Prajñāpāramitā texts." Monastic centers such as Somapura, Vikramaśīla, and Odantāpura are said to owe their foundation to him, as do some fifty major Buddhist monuments in eastern India. Devapāla ( A.D. 812-850) equalled and possibly surpassed his father in military achievements and continued active patronage of the Buddhist community.
- ↑ Dahiya, Poonam Dalal (2017). Ancient and Medieval India. McGraw-Hill Education. p. 413. ISBN 978-93-5260-673-3.
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