Kanchipuram monastery, (in) Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, IN

Raw data

(Also known as Kanchi, Kanchipura). Located 70 km from Chennai. The largest Buddhist center in Tamilnadu. The earliest literary reference records a local king built a stupa and monastery on the site in the 2nd century CE. A string of references record monks who lived in monasteries in and around Kanchipuram from the second century through the seven the century CE. Xuanzang (around 640 CE) found hundreds of monasteries and 10,000 monks. All were associated with the Sthavira School of Mahayana. Inscriptional evidence shows the site was still active until the 14th century. Important evidence of contacts with Korea, Java, and Sri Lanka.

See D.C. Ahir, Buddhist Sites and Shrines in India: History, Art and Architecture (Delhi: Inian Books Centre, 2003) p.241-243.
Src: IN
Input by: SG , Apr 3, 2009

Kanchipuram, India Page
Other names: Kancheepuram, Conjeeveram, Kānchipuram, Conjeveram, Conjevaram, Kanjippuram
World:India:State of Tamil Nadu
Lat 12.8333 Long 79.7167
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Kanchipuram.html

Final data (and their sources)

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 2 km from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Kanchipuram monastery, IN.

General location of the Kanchipuram monastery, IN.
lat=12.8333 long=79.7167
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2009.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=12.8333+79.7167+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Kanchipuram%20monastery,%20IN)&ll=12.8333,79.7167&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en

Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

  • Kanchipuram monastery

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • India:State of Tamil Nadu

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names

  • Kanchi - Ahir (2003:241-243)
  • Kanchipura - Ahir (2003:241-243)

4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries

final data ….

6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village

7. The settlement's alternative/historical names

8. The settlement's coordinates

9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition

  • Mahayana - Ahir (2003:241-243)

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

  • Sthavira - Ahir (2003:241-243)

11. Date-early

  • 100s AD - Ahir (2003:241-243)

12. Date-intermediate

  • 640 AD - Ahir (2003:241-243)

13. Date-late

  • 1300s AD - Ahir (2003:241-243)

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

final data ….

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • pilgrimage account

16. Additional notes

  • around 640 CE there were hundreds of monasteries and 10,000 monks - Ahir (2003:241-243)

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

final data ….

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