History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s14: Mathas.

v3.c41.s14.1

These anchorites whether Śaiva or Vaiṣṇava lived in Maṭhas which were usually built alongside of the temples. Hiuen Tsang has recorded that Śaiva anchorites and Jain or Nigrantha ascetics lived in their respective Maṭhas and temples. The institution of Maṭhas is thus as old as 600 A. D. undoubtedly and was probably copied from the Buddhist Vihāras. In this sub-period Buddhism disappeared except in Magadha and it is probable that Buddhist temples and Vihāras were converted into Śiva or Viṣṇu temples and Maṭhas. We have however, distinct mention of Maṭhas being built in inscriptions of this period. E. I. II (p. 310) mentions a Vyākhyānaśālā also, and an Udyānaśālā as built near the Śiva temple erected. Thus the temples provided halls for Vyākhyāna or preaching as well as Maṭhas for the residence of Tapasvis. These Maṭhas have now disappeared in most places excepting South India. At present we ordinarily see neither Vihāras for Buddhist Sanyāsis nor Maṭhas for Paśupata Yogis or ascetics.