Gujarat; Maitraka dynasty; copper-plate charters; foundations and endowments; vihāras; monks and nuns
摘要
The early medieval Maitraka dynasty of Valabhī ruled in parts of Gujarat, mainly on the Kathiawar peninsula (map on p. 60), from the 5th to the 8th centuries. One quarter of the epigraphic corpus of the Maitraka kings, i.e., 26 of their extant copper-plate charters, record endowments in favor of Buddhist institutions. Although the majority of vihāras in the Maitraka kingdom were monasteries for monks, it is remarkable that there are several references to economically independent nunneries in the Maitraka capital Valabhī as well. Out of the 16 Buddhist institutions referred to in the Maitraka corpus, only one definitely had a royal founder. All other Buddhist institutions were built by noble ladies, high-ranking officials, learned monks, and merchants, as well as other private individuals. In contrast to the broad range of different kinds of founders of vihāras, the extant endowment records issued for the upkeep of these monasteries were exclusively made by the kings.
目次
1. Introduction 61 2. The Ḍuḍḍāvihāramaṇḍala, the Yakṣaśūravihāramaṇḍala, and other monasteries 67 3. The protagonists: kings, founders, and monastics 75 4. Donative objects, purposes, and stipulations 84 5. Buddhist schools and Mahāyāna 88 6. Conclusion 91 Bibliography 92
