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Arts & Communication Cultural exchange and decorative motifs in 12 -century
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A B received maximum patronage from the Pala kingdom.
The details on the maintenance of monasteries at Sarnath
by King Mahipala I and the establishment of the Pala
art at Sarnath reveal stylistic symmetry and Sarnath’s
influence within the Pala Empire. The Pala inscriptions
further highlight the role of Sarnath as a center for
learning and pilgrimage, referring to the establishment
of educational institutions and the contribution of
scholars and monks who traveled from other parts of
the Buddhist world to go and teach or learn at Sarnath.
The widespread network of Buddhist monasteries and
centers of learning under the Pala dynasty influenced
Buddhist practices in Polonnaruwa. Monks often
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undertook journeys to the Pala territories to study
Buddhist manuscripts, returning to Polonnaruwa to
Figure 14. Sarnath (A) and Angkor Wat (B) use similar Beraliya enrich its pilgrimage practices. Similarities between
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flower designs. Images used with permission from Jeewana Manaram Pala architecture and Polonnaruwa can be observed in
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Koodagoda.
the architectural decorative motifs, intricate carvings,
and artistic standards that reflect the influence of the
Pala tradition.
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The Pala Empire (8 – 12 century) and the Khmer
Empire (9 – 15 century) were two of the most powerful
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and influential empires in South and Southeast Asia
during the 12 century. This indicates that Buddhism
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had transcended its original social boundaries, acting as
a cultural bridge and fostering connections to commercial
activities and sea trade routes. The Pala Empire was a
major center of Buddhist learning and cultural exchange,
sponsoring universities like Vikramshila and Nalanda
to consolidate regional political power and promote
the teachings of Buddhism. The introduction of bronze
imagery in Cambodia, aligned with the Pala art tradition,
confirms this cultural transmission and the development
of Vajrayana Buddhism within the Khmer Kingdom.
This influence is further supported by similarities in
Figure 15. Geographical location of Trincomalee Harbor. Map obtained iconography and religious practices between Khmer and
from: https://www.vifindia.org/print/3763?slide=%2524slideshow%2524. Pala traditions.

Figure 16. Sri Lanka: The gateway to the Eastern Seas. Map obtained from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sri-lanka-crossroads-east-sea-e-ports-co-ltd-/.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 9 doi: 10.36922/ac.4205