Home of Aryadeva
By Nalinaksha Dutt
Summary
The text examines the disputed origins of the Buddhist scholar Aryadeva, challenging the claim that he was born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The author argues against the Ceylonese chronicles' mention of Aryadeva as a royal son, noting the absence of any king linked to him in historical records. Instead, the analysis focuses on Simhala (Simhapura), a place in northern India, as Aryadeva's likely birthplace. The Sanskrit *Medijusri-malatanirnaya* and Tibetan translations suggest confusion between "Simhala" and "Simhapura," with the latter possibly derived from the Sanskrit term *Singhapura*. Historical and textual evidence, including references in the *Jataka* and *Mahavastu*, supports the existence of Simhapura near the Himalayas. Yuan Chwang’s accounts and the *Pay Sam Jon Zang* further corroborate Simhapura’s significance in ancient Buddhist traditions. The author concludes that Aryadeva was likely born in Simhapura, a well-known northern Indian location, rather than Ceylon, emphasizing the need to reconsider earlier assumptions based on flawed translations and secondary sources.
Conclusion
This study challenges the long-held assertion that Aryadeva was of Ceylonese origin, demonstrating instead that he was born in Simhapura—a significant location in northern India with historical and Buddhist associations. The analysis reveals a translational confusion between "Simhala" and "Simhapura" in Tibetan sources, rooted in the consistent use of "dvipa" for "pura" in Tibetan texts. The findings are bolstered by geographical, textual, and historical evidence, including references in the Jataka and accounts by Yuan Chwang, which underscore Simhapura's prominence. By re-examining the Nāgārcuna-Mūlāmadhyamaka-kārikā and its Tibetan translations, the study clarifies Aryadeva's origins, emphasizing the importance of accurate textual interpretation in resolving historical ambiguities. The conclusion firmly establishes Aryadeva's connection to Simhapura, a place of documented significance in Buddhist tradition.