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

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 03 Jun 2013

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

  • [missing 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)
  • MBM chrono-tag: <=0200 - tmciolek 03 Jun 2013
  • <=0200 0200-32c 0233-66c 0267-99c 0300-32c 0333-66c 0367-99c 0400-32c 0433-66c 0467-99c 0500-32c 0533-66c 0567-99c 0600-32c 0633-66c 0667-99c 0700-32c 0733-66c 0767-99c 0800-32c 0833-66c 0867-99c 0900-32c 0933-66c 0967-99c 1000-32c 1033-66c 1067-99c 1100-32c 1133-66c 1167-99c 1200=> dated-el

12. Date-intermediate

  • 640 AD - Ahir (2003:241-243)

13. Date-late

  • 1300s AD - Ahir (2003:241-243)
  • MBM chrono-tag: 1200=> - tmciolek 03 Jun 2013

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • [missing data]

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • pilgrimage account

16. Additional notes


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

  • [missing data]

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