Gopala, the first Pala king, was a Buddhist and so all of his descendants also were. It’s no surprise when considering how involved the rulers were in the management of their empire that this also extended to religion.. The Pala dynasty governed the regions of Bengal and Bihar for about 400 years, from the 8th century until the end of the 11th century, with about 20 leaders on the throne during the period.
1. The Pala rulers were great supporters and admirers of Buddhism.
2. They made monasteries (viharas) and temples in eastern India to promote Buddhism.
3. Dharmapala, the second Pala ruler, founded the renowned Vikramshila University near Bhagalpur in Bihar attracting students from all-over India and Tibet.
4. Devapala, the Pala king of Bengal, granted five villages for the maintenance of a monastery at Nalanda.
5. Regarding the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya, many of the sculptures in the niches in the temple are dated to the 8th century Pala Period.
6. The Nalanda bronzes are reflectant of Pala Period metal sculptures.
7. Nalanda and Vikramshila were great centres of Buddhist learning, showcased art and several manuscripts with Buddhist themes and images of Vajrayana Buddhist deities on palm leaves. Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita is a good example of a Pala Buddhist palm-leaf manuscript.
8. Students and pilgrims throughout South East Asia came to these monasteries for education and religious purposes and returned with specimens of Pala Buddhist art.
9. The last great phase of Buddhist art in India is attributed to the Pala period.
10. A miniature terracotta image of a fasting Buddha, a six-foot-tall votive stupa and a black stone statue of Buddha in abhay mudra (fearless mode) from the Pala period reflect the ubiquity of Buddhism then.
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