History of Buddhism from sixth Century CE to the tenth Century CE

[Full title: Political and Religious History of Orissa (9): History of Buddhism from sixth Century CE to the tenth Century CE]

Very little information is available about Buddhism between the later part of the sixth and the early part of the seventh century CE. This could be due to the unstable political situation of the country on the fall of the Gupta Empire. According to the Kanas (Puri district) copper plate grant, dated to Gupta 280 i.e. 569-600 CE (Sircar 1949-50: 328), the post-Gupta period saw the growth and development of Mahayana Buddhism in Orissa; during this period southern part of Tosali was ruled by Lokavigraha who is believed to be the successor of Pritivivigraha of Sumandala charter. At the same time contemporary to Lokavigraha were the Manas who were ruling over Northern Tosali.

These territories were conquered by King Sasanka of Karnasuvarna in 610 CE who appointed a governor named Somadatta to rule Utkala and Dandabhukti. The religious harmony that existed among the various religious sects was disrupted by Sasanka.

Ekamra Purana, speaks of a prolonged conflict between Saivism and Buddhism. By the middle of sixth century CE, Saivism appeared to have acquired greater hold than Buddhism (Pradhan 1984:167). The Lakulisha cult became so popular in Ekamrakshetra that the so called Asokan pillar was chiseled to give the look of a Sivalinga by adding a Yonipitha around the pillar, installed within the Bhaskaresvara temple in Bhubaneswar. In course of time by seventh century CE, the Mahayanic faith became the religion of a limited minority and remained confined within the monasteries (Sahu 1958:53-54).