A Puzzle for the Scholars of Buddhist History
By Nagin J Shah
Summary
Nagin J. Shah's article, "A Puzzle for the Scholars of Buddhist History," examines a potential historical allusion in the works of the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa, specifically in the *Raghuvamsa* (XIII. 7). The author notes that Kalidasa frequently references historical events, personalities, and geographical details. Shah argues that a verse in the *Raghuvamsa* contains a double meaning, or *slesa*, that alludes to an event in Buddhist history. The second meaning of the verse suggests that the Mahlsasakas, followers of the Mahlsasaka school, were humbled in their pride due to *paksaccheda* and *gotrabheda*. Consequently, they were harassed by others and took refuge under the neutral and impartial Dharmottara. This interpretation raises several unresolved questions regarding the historical context. These include the timing of the event, the specific meanings of *paksa* and *gotra* in this context, the conditions that led to the schisms, the identity of the harassers, the nature of the harassment, and the identity and impartiality of Dharmottara. Furthermore, the author questions whether "Madhyama" was a title conferred upon Dharmottara and if he had any connection to the Dharmottarya school. To investigate the identity of Dharmottara, the article discusses the 12th-century Svetambara Jaina monk VadirDeva Siiri and his *Pramananayatattvalokalankara*, along with its commentary, the *Syadvadaratnakara*. VadirDeva Siiri refers to both Dharmottara and Vrddha-Dharmaottara. This led Muni Jinavijayji to theorize that they were two different individuals sharing the same name, one senior and one junior. However, Pt. Mahendra Kumar, after examining the quotations in the commentary, concluded that they refer to the same person, specifically the well-known commentator on Dharmaklrti. Because the *Syadvadaratnakara* identifies Dharmottara as a single individual, Shah argues there is no question of identifying the Dharmottara from the *Raghuvamsa* verse with the Vrddha-Dharmottara from the Jaina text. Ultimately, the author concludes that there is no available clue to solve the puzzle posed by the *Raghuvamsa* verse.
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Conclusion
This article identifies a significant puzzle in Buddhist history through a double entendre in Kalidasa’s *Raghuvamsa*, which possibly alludes to a specific event involving the Mahisasaka school. The verse suggests that the Mahisasakas were humbled by *paksaccheda* and *gotrabheda*, leading them to seek refuge under a neutral figure named Dharmottara. However, the text highlights that these historical details remain entirely obscure, leaving fundamental questions unanswered regarding the timeline of the event, the nature of the schisms, the identity of the harassers, and the specific role of Dharmottara. Despite comparing the figure to the well-known commentator of Dharmakirti mentioned in a 12th-century Jaina text, no conclusive evidence emerges to solve the mystery. Consequently, the article underscores a critical gap in the historical record, challenging scholars to decipher these cryptic references and reconstruct the lost dynamics of early Buddhist sects.