Baladitya
Baladitya
幻日王 (n.d.) (Skt; Jpn Gennichi-o)
A king of Magadha in India said to have lived around the sixth century. A devout Buddhist, the king erected a temple at Nalanda Monastery, and monks from throughout India assembled to celebrate its completion. According to The Record of the Western Regions, Mihirakula, the ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Cheka (also known as Takka), opposed Buddhism and attempted to conquer Baladitya. When Mihirakula attacked Magadha, the people united against him and took him prisoner. Baladitya intended to put Mihirakula to death, but released him instead, moved by his own mother's plea that he act compassionately. After wandering through various countries, Mihirakula conquered Kashmir and Gandhara he destroyed Buddhist temples and monasteries. Soon after, Mihirakula died. It was said that upon his death dark clouds gathered, a strong wind blew, and the earth quaked violently, and these were interpreted by Buddhist sages as signs that Mihirakula had fallen into the hell of incessant suffering and would for a long time transmigrate through the evil paths of existence.
