In his biography, Acharya Dipamkara Shrijnana wrote about his journey to Suvarnadvipa and his meeting with Acharya Dharmakirti which took place in 1013 CE.

“In 1012, Dipamkara, in the company of some merchants, (from India) embarked for Suvarnadvipa in a large vessel. The voyage was long and tedious, extending over several months, during which the travellers were overtaken by terrible storms … At this time Suvarnadvipa was the headquarters of Buddhism in the East, and its High Priest (Acharya Dharmakirti) was considered the greatest scholar of his age…” [Alaka Chattopadhyaya (1999): Atisa and Tibet].

“… Immediately after crossing the great ocean, I (Dipamkara) went to the site of Golden Reliquary (Caitya or Stupa) of Sukhagati … and met six meditator monks disciples of teacher Suvarnadvipi (Dharmakirti) … The caitya was surrounded by the forests of Suvarnadvipa in the north, to the south of the beautiful lotuses, by thick bamboo forest in the west and by the swamp in the east …”

“There we lived with them for fourteen days. Thereupon, the monks went to the noble teacher Suvarnadvipi and pleaded…” Then they went to meet him … From far away, we could see them standing in line to receive us … so spaced that they were neither too close nor too far from one another, they walked in line like a colourful rainbow to the place where Guru Suvarnadvipi dwelt … I prostrated myself at his feet … then the residents and visitors together went to the courtyard of the monastic community where an elder monk was in the midst of teaching a group of monk … He (guru Suvarnadvipi) thus perfectly conferred  this teaching (fifteen sessions of the Abhisamaya-alamkara) upon me. Following this, I set up residence in the palace of silver parasols and spent my time pursuing study, reflection and meditation.” [Thupten Jinpa (2006): Mind Training – The Great Collection].

Could this be at Muarajambi complex where there was a monastic community, and teachings given in the courtyards, as the education system applied in India and Tibet? Acharya Dipamkara Shrijnana wrote that he stayed in the Palace of Silver Parasols, could this be Bukit Perak in the Muarajambi complex?

Dipamkara resided in Suvarnadvipa for a period of twelve years in order to completely master the pure teachings of Buddha. Dipamkara sailed back for India in 1025.

Returning to India

Dipamkara Shrijnana was about 44 years old when he returned to India. He spent about 15 years in India preaching the Dharma and holding very important responsibilities in a number of monasteries before his departure for Tibet. During the 15 years of his stay in India, Dipamkara Shrijnana devoted his energy in the dissemination of the Dharma and knowledge in different monasteries such as Vajrasana, Somapuri, Nalanda, Odantapuri and Vikramashila. Dipamkara’s dissemination of the Dharma and scholastic teaching in a new dimension earned him the title “Dharmapala”.

Vikramashila monastery was founded by great Pala King Dharmapala in the 8th CE. About 8,000 students studied in Vikramashila under many eminent scholars under the preceptorship of Dipankara Shrijnana where he was the Abbot. Students from all parts of India as well as from China, Tibet, Ujjaini, Turkestan and Nepal came to study in this university. At that time Nalanda was in a declining stage. The Mahayana and Tantric learning which originated in the Nalanda University subsequently developed and enriched in the Vikramashila Vihara and spread to greater parts of Asia.