|
Thus
came into existence, the innumerable rock edicts and mono-lithic
pillars scattered all over India. Along with these, he decided to
build monasteries and cave-dwellings to accommodate the monks, who
dedicated their lives for the propagation of Buddhism. The mush room
growth of monasteries called then Viharas was so rapid that they
grew up all over and covered the entire country in a matter of few
years. Around Pataliputra - the capital alone, there were
innumerable, and the whole province came to be known as Vihara, and
the present Bihar is derived from it only.
These
considerations pushed him into the fore-front as a great builder of
global significance. The magnitude of his patronage and enormity of
expenditure have become objects of wonder for all types of people
and subjects of special research for all ages. Their size and number
together with workmanship, stupify the on-lookers and the scholars
alike.
|
