[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956) › c17.8 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c17.8 History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c17.8 - **Language:** English ### [c17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.8) There are, however, two distinct classes of Tantras—Brahminic and Buddhistic—dealing in magic, sorcery, alchemy and allied subjects. For, during the period of its decline Buddhism imbibed many of the superstitious beliefs and corrupt rites of effete and popular Brahminical religion. An enormously bulky literature thus sprang up composed by the devotees of both Buddha and Siva. Hinduism too, which has been noted in all ages for its assimilative and elastic character, swallowed up the remnants of the Buddhists by acknowledging Gautama Buddha, the founder of their religion as an \*avatara\* or incarnation of Vishnu. We thus find that Nagarjuna, the most conspicuous figure among the Indian alchemists, was a Buddhist by faith. - [Previous: c17.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.7) - [Next: c17.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.9) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.8) · Pramāṇa