Buddhist Works In Tamil Literary And Buddhist Teachers / Scholars of Tamil Nadu.

Buddhist Works in Tamil and Buddhist Teachers/Scholars of Tamil Nadu 

Buddhist Works in Tamil Literary:

* Manimekalai: One of the five great classic epics in the Tamil Language written by Sithalai Sattanar in 2^nd Century A.D.

* Kundalakesi: One of the five great classic epics in the Tamil Language written by Nadaguttanar in 4^th Century A.D.

* Valaiyapathy: One of the five great classic epics in the Tamil Language.

* Virasoliyam: The Tamil work on grammar was written by Buddhamitra in 11th century A.D.

* Siddhantattogai.

* Tiruppadigam.

* Vimbasara Kathai.

Buddhist Teachers/Scholars of Tamil Nadu:

                               

1. Ilam Bodhiyar: Several of his verses are found in the ‘Naṭṭrinai’. (1^st or 2^nd Century A.D)

2. Sangavarunar: 1^st or 2^nd Century A.D.

3. Aravana Adigal: He was the head of a Vihara in Puhar or Kaveripattinam. (2^nd Century A.D)

4. Bhikkhuni Manimekalai.

5. Sithalai Sattanar: The author of the Tamil classic epic ‘Maṇimekalai’. (2^nd Century A.D)

6. Sanghamitra: A Bhikkhu lived in the 3^rd Century A.D.

7. Nadaguttanar: The author of the Tamil classic epic ‘Kuṇḍalakesi’. (4^th Century A.D)

8. Buddhadatta: He wrote ‘Madhuratthavilasini’ is a Pali commentary to the Buddhavamsa of the Sutta Piṭaka. He wrote the renowned treatise on Abhidhamma, Abhidhammavatara. He is also the author of the Pali work on the Vinaya called Vinayavinicchaya. (5^th Century A.D)

9. Bodhidhamma: The founder of the ‘Dhyana-marga’. It was called ‘Chan’ by the Chinese and ‘Zen’ by the Japanese. (6^th Century A.D)

10. Dignaga: A philosopher and a debater of great repute. He was the founder of the Indian Logic (Vinnaṇavada). (5^th Century A.D)

11. Dhammapala of Nalanda: He was the Vice-Chancellor of the Nalanda University. Native of Kachi.

12. Badaratirtha Dhammapala: 6^th Century A.D.

13. Buddha Nandi and Sariputra: 7^th Century A.D.

14. Vajrabodhi (661-730 A.D): An adherent of the Vajrayana School.

15. Bodhiruci: One of the greatest translators of Buddhist texts. (7^th Century A.D)

16. Buddhamitra: Composed the ‘Virasoliyam: The Tamil work on grammar’ was written by him in 11^th century A.D.

17. Perundevanar: He was the student of Buddhamitra. He wrote a commentary on the ‘Virasoliyam’ in 11^th century A.D.

18. Kavirajaraja: 12^th century A.D.

19. Buddhappiya: His book of the Pali verses in praise of the Buddha is called Pajjamadhu (Nectar of Verses). It is a standing monument to his excellence as a poet and his deep love for the Buddha. (12^th century A.D)

20. Mahakasyapa: Among his works are the commentary on the Abhidhamma, works called Mohavicchedani, the commentary to the Vinaya Piṭaka, Vimativinodani, and the Anagatavaṃsa. (12^th century A.D)

21. Anuruddha: His most famous work is a manual of Abhidhamma, the Abhidhammatthasangaha, which has served as an introduction to the Abhidhamma philosophy.  (12^th century A.D)

22. Dhammakirti: He organised an International conference of Buddhists under the patronage of Parakrama Bahu II. (13^th century A.D).

Compiled:
Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Source:

1. ‘Boudhamum Tamilum’ by Mayilai Seeni Venkatasamy (1940).
2. 'Story of Buddhism, with special reference to South India’ by Government Museum, Chennai. Page- 29, 30, 31, 53, 54, 148, 149.

Jai Bheem…!!!

Also Read:
* Buddhism in Dharmapuri and Salem district of Tamil Nadu.