Majjhantika (also known as Madhyantika[1]) was the Indian Buddhist monk of Varanasi who was deputed by Ashoka to spread Buddhism in the regions of Kashmir and Gandhara.[2][3]
Majjhantika | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Born | |
Religion | Buddhism |
Known for | Spreading Buddhism in Kashmir and Gandhara |
Philosophy | Buddhism |
Senior posting | |
Guru | Gautama Buddha |
Majjhantika was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.[4] He was tasked by Ashoka to travel from Varanasi to Kashmir and Gandhara and spread Buddhism following the Third Buddhist Council which is held in Pataliputra.[5]
Pali sources detail that Majjhantika was one of the monks sent by Ashoka to cover the Kashmir and Gandhara region. This is also corroborated by the 7th-century monk, Xuanzang. Xuanzang visited this region he noted that most Buddhists belonged to the Sthavira nikāya school which is also the school that Majjhantika belonged to.[1]