Buddhism in Kashmir

'Buddha and Adorants on Mount Meru' from Kashmir, c. 700, Norton Simon Museum

TIBET

INDIA

Srinagar

Gilgit

Buddhism was an important part of the classical Kashmiri culture, as is reflected in the Nilamata Purana and Kalhana's Rajatarangini. Buddhism is generally believed to have become dominant in Kashmir in the time of Emperor Ashoka, although it was widespread there long before his time, enjoying the patronage not only of Buddhist rulers but of Hindu rulers too. From Kashmir, it spread to the neighbouring Ladakh, Tibet and China proper. Accounts of patronage of Buddhism by the rulers of Kashmir are found in the Rajatarangini and also in the accounts of three Chinese visitors to Kashmir during 630-760 AD.^[1]

^ Funayama, T., 1994, “Remarks on Religious Predominance in Kashmir: Hindu or Buddhist”, in Y. lkari (ed.), A Study of the Nilamata, Kyoto.

[1] Funayama, T., 1994, “Remarks on Religious Predominance in Kashmir: Hindu or Buddhist”, in Y. lkari (ed.), A Study of the Nilamata, Kyoto.

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