Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c35.s1.8

v2.c35.s1.8

Prof. Przyluski’s suggestions are supported by the Nāgārjunikoṇḍa inscriptions, in which it is stated that the queen of Vanavāsī erected a pillar and a monastery at Nāgārjunikoṇḍa for the benefit of the ācāryas of the Mahīśāsaka sect. Vanavāsī corresponds to North Kanara. There is also a village called Vanavāsī in the Shimoga District of the Mysore State and lies on the border of Mysore territory and North Kanara.² Vanavāsī is also one of the countries which was visited by the mission of Aśoka’s reign, and it was from this country that a mahāthera called Candagutta went to Ceylon at the invitation of Duṭṭhagāmaṇi to take part in the celebrations for erecting the mahā-thupa. Hence, it may be concluded that the Mahīśāsakas became popular in Vanavāsī, i.e. in North Kanara and Mysore, and probably had some followers in Ceylon, as their school agreed with the Theravādins in fundamental doctrines and disciplinary rules. In short, this school had its sphere of influence in south-western India and Ceylon.¹