Was Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple a Buddhist Shrine?

The customs of Lord Tirupati follow the traditions of deity Lord Vishnu. People who worshipped Vishnu are known as Vaishnavas. We can find the evidence in earliest scripture of Rig Veda written approximately between 1300 and 1000 BC. At that time he was a minor deity and not very popular or an object of worship because people of those times gave importance to Agni (God of fire), Jal (water) and Indra (God of lightning and thunder).

Ancient India in south was land of Nagas and people spoke Tamil language. Nagas did support and follow Buddhism. Ashoka’s empire extended to a large part of present India and beyond. It stretched from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Kerala. There are traces of Buddhism found in Kerala (present Ayyappa’s temple). Buddhism went even further when Ashoka sent his elder son Mahinda who became a Buddhist monk to Sri Lanka. We can easily understand why the region of Tirupati was under Asoka's Empire. Symbols found in the temple are Buddhist, idol is of Buddha as ancient south India was not under Brahmin influence.

Many rulers followed in path of Dhamma after Buddha’s enlightenment. Among them was famous King Ashoka who abandoned bloodshed and violence to embrace Dhamma (Dharma). Numerous shrines and Buddha Viharas were constructed. Later, there came a decline in Dhamma.

The existing Buddha viharas were taken over by Brahmins predominantly and converted in temples of Hindu deities. Among the converted deities are Lord Vishnu in Tirumala, Lord Ayyappa in Sabrimala, Jagannatha of Puri and many others.

There is ample evidence that the Brahmins, did convert Buddha vihara and shrines for their own usage. Sadly, it happened all over India for centuries during the decline of Buddha's Dhamma. Most of it was through violence. Kings who followed Buddhism were massacred, followed by monks and general masses.

It is paradoxical and depressing against Buddhists who are followers of non-violence. Buddha an oasis of compassion stopped the widespread usage of Yagnas and animal sacrifice which was prevalent with Brahmins of those times. But after his death, Buddhism flourished and later violence against Buddhism became rampant.

Buddhism and Buddhists as we know today gained strength only when Dr. Ambedkar converted the lower caste "Shudras" to Buddhism.

Tirumalai (Tirumala) being a Buddhist Centre, was unimportant to Hindus and hence neglected for a long time till a supposedly elite sect saw an opportunity to extract/use it for its own advantage. Following reasons are cited in accordance and proof of it being a Buddhist shrine.

• There is an important similarity of the image of Lord Tirumala to the famous Bodhisattva Padmapani (Buddha) painting in cave I of Ajanta hills now located in Maharashtra.

• Tirumalai was not mentioned in any Hindu literature like Vishnu Puranas, Bhagavat Purana, Ramayana and Mahabharat. Ancient temples of important locations find themselves in inscriptions but not Tirumala (Tuirumalai). This was because it was a Buddhist centre and not significant for Brahmins.

The customs of Tonsure (Offering hair) and Rath yatra (chariot festival) in Tirumalai are originally Buddhist ways.

• Not only men but women too undergo tonsure. Men and women would undergo tonsure in Buddhist tradition when they took Pravrajya (renunciation). This was a preliminary ordination as samanera (novice).  It is important to note that tonsuring in Vaishnavas was considered inauspicious. Widows would be tonsured on the event of death of their husbands whereas men tonsured when elders passed away in the family.
• Ratha yatra in old records of Hindus start much late, whereas it was Buddhist practice in olden days and was seen by Fa Hain.

• The relics and statues do not contain Garuda (Eagle), an important vehicle of Lord Vishnu’s.

• The lions on the temple of Tirumalai have a Buddhist connotation. Buddha was also known as Shakya muni or 'Sakya simha' meaning a Lion among the Shakyas.

• Since Buddhism came before Lord Vishnu was made God and if we refer to Rig Vedas and other 18 Puranas; it is evident that objects of worship were not Vishnu in ancient era at the time of construction of this shrine. It was definitely constructed by the followers of Buddha and later converted to Hindu temple.

• The figure is shyama (black) in colour and has four arms. The extra two arms were planted later.

• Potalka location as described by the famous traveller Hiuen Tsang who travelled to India could be Tirumala. He described to great extent that it was an abode beautiful yet difficult to access. It was also the time of declining of Buddhism. The shrine was witnessing conversion for the first time.

It is sad that many Buddhist Vihars have been converted to Hindu temples beyond recognition. They have turned to powerhouses churning money. Government was/is unable to preserve the culture and heritage of ancient times which is revered and protected in many neighbouring countries of India.

Not only Tirumala but many other temples like Jagannatha at Puri, Vitthal in Pandharpur, Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala in Kerala are ancient Buddhist temples. There is a need to examine the symbols, study ancient scripts from Buddha’s time to match the relics and understand the additions or distortions of the old idols and demolitions of the shrines. Only further research can establish the facts.

Tirupati Balaji was a Buddhist Shrine By K. Jamanadas

Selected Works Of DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR

Manu Smruti

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