The Chola king who encouraged the Sailendra ruler of the Sri Vijaya Empire to build a Buddhist Vihara at Nagapattinam was Rajaraja I. This episode, well-documented in historical inscriptions, illustrates the religious inclusivity and international diplomacy practiced by the Chola rulers during their imperial zenith.

🏛️ Historical Context of Rajaraja I and the Cholas

• Rajaraja I (reigned c. 985–1014 CE) was one of the most illustrious rulers of the Chola dynasty. Under his leadership, the Chola state transformed into a powerful maritime empire with strong political, cultural, and trade links across the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
• While Rajaraja I was a devout Shaivite, his reign is marked by patronage of multiple religions, including Buddhism and Jainism, which had significant followings in South India and Southeast Asia.

🌏 Diplomatic Ties with Sri Vijaya

• The Sri Vijaya Empire, ruled by the Sailendra dynasty, was a major center of Mahayana Buddhism, headquartered in what is today Sumatra, Indonesia. Rajaraja I maintained peaceful and cooperative relations with the Sailendra rulers, unlike his successor Rajendra I who later conducted military expeditions against Sri Vijaya.
• These diplomatic exchanges culminated in a religious-cultural alliance, where the Sailendra king sought and received permission to establish a Buddhist Vihara in Nagapattinam, a port city known for its Buddhist community and commercial significance.

🛕 Construction of the Buddhist Vihara at Nagapattinam

• The Vihara at Nagapattinam was constructed with financial assistance from the Sailendra king, but with royal sanction and land grants from Rajaraja I. This was not an isolated gesture but part of a larger pattern of religious generosity and state-supported cultural patronage during Rajaraja’s reign.

📜 Key Features of the Event

🧭 Strategic and Cultural Significance

• This incident underscores multiple aspects of Rajaraja I’s rule:
  • Religious tolerance: Rajaraja supported the flourishing of Buddhism despite being a Shaivite king.
  • Cultural diplomacy: Promoting Buddhist structures built by foreign rulers helped reinforce South India’s image as a pluralistic and culturally rich civilization.
  • Maritime influence: Cooperation with Sri Vijaya also ensured safety and access to Southeast Asian maritime trade routes.

🌐 Comparative Overview of Chola Kings (in context)

📚 Inscriptions and Historical Sources

• Inscriptions, such as those found in the Tirukkalukkunram copper plates, mention:
  • Donations of land and wealth by Rajaraja I
  • The involvement of Buddhist monks from Sri Vijaya
  • The Mahayana Buddhist affiliation of the constructed Vihara
  • An enduring legacy of Indo-Southeast Asian Buddhist connections

✅ Conclusion

In conclusion, it was Rajaraja I who encouraged and officially permitted the construction of a Buddhist Vihara at Nagapattinam by the Sailendra king of Sri Vijaya. This act symbolizes the religious openness and cross-cultural diplomacy of the Chola empire, affirming its status as not just a regional superpower but a significant player in the larger Indian Ocean cultural and economic networks of the early medieval world.