AI Overview

In addition to Ashoka the Great, several Indian monarchs provided significant patronage to Buddhism, strengthening spiritual, cultural, and political ties between India and Sri Lanka. While Ashoka established the foundational relationship, later rulers facilitated the exchange of relics, texts, and ordained monks, ensuring the continuity of the Theravada tradition. 

Key Indian rulers who strengthened these ties include:

• King Guhasiva of Kalinga (c. 3rd–4th Century AD): King Guhasiva is historically significant for sending the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. Due to threats from rival kings who sought to destroy it, Guhasiva entrusted the relic to his daughter, Princess Hemamala, and her husband, Prince Dantha, who brought it to Anuradhapura during the reign of King Kithsiri Mewan (c. 301–328 AD). This act solidified the Tooth Relic as the primary symbol of royal legitimacy in Sri Lanka.
• The Pala Kings of Bengal (8th–12th Century AD): The Pala Empire in North-Eastern India (Bihar and Bengal) were staunch supporters of Mahayana Buddhism and nurtured centers like Nalanda and Vikramashila. These centers acted as vibrant hubs for international scholarly exchange, with many monks from Sri Lanka visiting to study advanced Buddhist philosophy and take back texts.
• Emperor Harsha Vardhana (Early 7th Century AD): Although a patron of various faiths, King Harshavardhana of North India gave significant patronage to Buddhist institutions, particularly Nalanda. He encouraged the exchange of scholars and protected Buddhist monasteries, which served as the intellectual lifeline for Sinhalese monks engaging with mainland India.
• Pallava Kings of South India (6th–9th Century AD): During periods of instability, Sinhalese Kings such as Manavanna (684–718 AD) relied on support from the Pallava dynasty, strengthening political ties. This period saw continued, albeit complex, interaction between South Indian Buddhist centers and Sri Lanka.
• Gajabahu I (South Indian Influence): While Gajabahu I is technically a king of Sri Lanka, he is frequently noted for his close interaction with South Indian rulers in the 2nd Century AD, including the Chola dynasty, which resulted in the bringing of sacred relics (such as the anklet of Goddess Pattini) back to Sri Lanka, linking the two regions in both ritual and culture. 

These monarchs facilitated the exchange of the Buddhist faith (“Dhamma”) and relics between India (Jambudveepa) and Sri Lanka (Tambapanni), maintaining the spiritual alliance initially established by Ashoka.

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see also

Beyond

Emperor Ashoka

, several other Indian monarchs played pivotal roles in patronizing Buddhism and strengthening the spiritual and cultural bridge with Sri Lanka. 

Emperor Kanishka

(Kushan Dynasty, c. 127–150 CE) 

Often called the “Second Ashoka,”

Kanishka

is celebrated for his massive support of Buddhism across Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. 

• Patronage: He convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir, which solidified the development of Mahayana Buddhism.
• Ties to Sri Lanka: Under his reign, Buddhist art (particularly the Gandhara and Mathura styles) began to influence Sri Lankan sculpture. Coins from the Kushan period, including those of

Kanishka II

and

Vasudeva I

, have been found in Sri Lanka, evidencing deep trade and cultural exchange during this era. 

Emperor Samudragupta

(Gupta Dynasty, c. 335–375 CE) 

While the Guptas were primarily followers of Brahmanism,

Samudragupta

was famously tolerant and directly facilitated Buddhist diplomacy with Sri Lanka. 

• The Mahabodhi Monastery: He granted permission to the Sinhalese King Meghavanna to build a magnificent monastery (the Mahabodhi Sangharama) at Bodh Gaya for Sri Lankan pilgrims.
• Cultural Legacy: This period saw a significant “Southernization” of Indian influence, where Gupta-style art and architecture directly shaped Sri Lankan landmarks like Sigiriya and the Avukana Buddha. 

King Guhasiva of Kalinga

(c. 4th Century CE)

King Guhasiva

is crucial to one of the most sacred ties between the two nations: the Sacred Tooth Relic. 

• Protection of the Relic: Facing a Hindu invasion intended to destroy the relic,

Guhasiva

entrusted it to his daughter, Princess Hemamala, and Prince Dantha.

• Transfer to Sri Lanka: They successfully smuggled the relic to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kithsiri Mewan, where it became a permanent symbol (revered palladium) of Sinhalese royalty and religious devotion. 

The Pala Kings (c. 8th–12th Century CE) 

Kings like

Dharmapala

and

Devapala

were the last major Indian monarchs to provide state patronage to Buddhism. 

• Scholarly Exchange: They supported great monastic universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila, which hosted many Sinhalese monks and scholars such as Aryadeva (Chief disciple of Guru Nagarjuna).
• Indo-Lankan Influence: During this time, Vajrayana and Mahayana influences from the Pala Empire reached Sri Lankan (Sinhalese built monasteries) such as the Abhayagiri Vihara, further diversifying the religious landscape of the island. 

Source: AI Overview