Buddhism in TamilNadu

Revealing the rich heritage of Buddhism in Thanjavur and Kumbakonam from its ancient period, many statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas were obtained.

There was widespread presence of Buddhism in the Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu for a very long period. Statues and other Buddhist artifacts were discovered from places like Thirunellikaval, Kodavasal, Valangaiman, Sellur, Kiranur, etc.

Around 350 statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and some stupas were uncovered from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu a century back showing the widespread presence all schools of Buddhism including Mahayana and Vajrayana in this locality. Buddhists artifacts from this locality dates from the 2nd Century CE to 17th Century CE, making it one of the first as well as last citadels of Buddhism in South India.

A 16th Century TIbetan Buddhist Master, Taranatha mentions about Tamil Nadu’s Pakshitheertham’s Buddhist past in his book ‘History of Buddhism in India’. This place continued to have that association with birds till recently.

Poompuhar was probably the earliest of the cities in the Dravida Land to have a Buddhist presence, right from the early Sangam period itself. Remains of a monastery and ancient Buddha statues were obtained from this place.