Question

What was the purpose of the Kannauj assembly called by Harshavardhana?
A) To highlight the teachings of Buddha.
B) To honour the Chinese master of law Hiuen Tsang.
C) Religious assembly to highlight Mahayanism.
D) All of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: Harshavardhana was a member of the Vardhana dynasty and under his reign the empire covered much of northwest India during the sixth and seventh centuries. Few people believe that he was a Shaivite while others claim that he was a Buddhist.

Complete answer:
Option D: Agreeing to the Chinese Buddhist voyager Xuanzang, Harsha was a dedicated Buddhist. Xuanzang states that Harsha prohibited creature butchers for food, and built monasteries at the places gone to by Gautama Buddha. He raised a few thousand 100-feet high stupas on the banks of the Ganges Waterway, and built well-maintained hospices for voyagers and poor individuals on highways over India. Within the year 643 A.D. Harsha held an incredible devout gathering in his capital at Kannauj on the bank of the waterway Ganges. The reason for the gathering was to highlight the lessons of Buddha. On that event, Harsha moreover needed to respect the Chinese Master of the Law, Hiuen Tsang. The subject of talk within the assembly related to Mahayana Buddhism. The gathering proceeded for 23 days. The Kannauj Gathering was followed by another marvelous get together at Prayaga within the same year. Whereas the Kanauj assembly was a devout gathering to highlight Mahayanism, the Prayaga assembly was a gathering of all inclusive character for offerings of regal charities to all classes of individuals.
Hence, the correct answer is, ‘D) All of the above.’.

Note: Amid the Kannauj celebration, Harsha and his subordinate rulers performed every day ceremonies before a life-sized brilliant statue of the Buddha. Many historical records claim that he not only patronized the Buddhist monks but respected all the other religions.