Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t14.8

v1.c7.s2.t14.8

Buddhism entered a new phase during the Pāla period (750-1175 CE) and came to be dominated by Tantrik Buddhism. Tantric texts were introduced in China as early as the 8th century CE by Vajrabodhi (719 CE) who presented a copy of Mahāprajñapārimitā Sutra to the Chinese Emperor and Amoghavajra (724 CE). But it was Tibet which emerged as the main centre of Tantric Buddhism. Sino-Indian cultural relations continued thereafter. During the Song period (960-1127 CE), two Nālandā scholars, Dharmadeva (973 CE) and Buddhakirti (989 CE), visited China. This was also probably due to the efforts of Pāla rulers to protect their commercial interests in the Buddhist kingdoms of Southeast and East Asia.