>पाटलिपुत्र at 08:08, 13 April 2021

2021-04-13T08:08:02Z

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| image1 = 'Buddha and Adorants on Mt. Meru' from Kashmir, c. 700, Norton Simon Museum.JPG
| caption1 = 'Buddha and Adorants on [[Mount Meru]]' from Kashmir, c. 700, [[Norton Simon Museum]]
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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. 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.<ref>Funayama, T., 1994, “Remarks on Religious Predominance in Kashmir: Hindu or Buddhist”, in Y. lkari (ed.), A Study of the Nilamata, Kyoto.</ref>

==Origins==
The origin of [[Buddhism]] in Kashmir is obscure. Buddhist sources attribute the origin of Buddhism in Kashmir to a monk of [[Varanasi]], Majjhantika, who was also a disciple of [[Ananda]]. According to the ''[[Mahāvaṃsa|Ceylonese Chronicle]]'', after the conclusion of the [[Third Buddhist Council]], [[Ashoka]] sent missionaries across countries to spread Buddhism. Majjhantika was sent to Kashmir and [[Gandhara]] (modern day Afghanistan). The story of Majjhantika is also told in several other Buddhist texts such as the ''[[Ashokavadana]]'' and ''[[Avadanakalpalata]]''. However the Buddhist text ''[[Divyavadana]]'' states that several monks from Kashmir were invited by Ashoka to [[Patliputra]] (present day [[Patna]], [[Bihar]]). However [[Kalhana]] describes the establishment of some ''[[Vihāra]]s'' during the reign of King Surendra, predecessor of Ashoka.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Warikoo |first=Kulbhushan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qvAr6ZJLLuIC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA33#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Cultural Heritage of Jammu and Kashmir |date=2009 |publisher=Pentagon Press |isbn=978-81-8274-376-2 |language=en}}</ref>

==Surrendra==
The first known ruler of Kashmir, [[Gonanda]] (mentioned by Kalhana in his ''Rajatarangini''), was related to [[Jarasandha]], who ruled [[Magadha]] during the time of the [[Kurukshetra war]]. Surrendra was perhaps the first Buddhist ruler of Kashmir. He erected the first vihāras there. One of these, known as Narendrabhavana, was in the city of Sauraka (Suru, beyond the [[Zoji La]].) The other vihāra was at Saurasa, corresponding to the village Sowur ([[Soura]]) on the shore of [[Anchar Lake]] to the north of [[Srinagar]].

==Mauryan period==
===Ashoka===
[[File:Buddhist tope baramula1868.jpg|thumb|[[Stupa]] ''Jayendra Vihar'' at [[Ushkur]] (Huṣkapur) near [[Baramulla]], during excavations in 1869]]
Kalhana's in his 12th century historical chronicle ''Rajatarangini'', mentioned king [[Ashoka (Gonandiya)]] of Kashmir as a devout Buddhist who built many [[stupa]]s<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sen |first1=Sailendra Nath |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |date=1999 |publisher=New Age International |isbn=978-81-224-1198-0 |page=152 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA152 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Pandit |first1=Ranjit Sitaram |title=River Of Kings (rajatarangini) |date=1935 |page=17, Note 102 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.530051/page/n59 }}</ref> and Shiva temples.<ref>{{Citation |last=Pandit |first=Ranjit Sitaram |title=River Of Kings (rajatarangini) |date=1935 |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.530051 |language=und|access-date=2020-06-30}}</ref> The provincial capital Shrinagari ([[Srinagar]]), which he established, was 'resplendent with prosperity and wealth.'<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pandit |first1=Ranjit Sitaram |title=River Of Kings (rajatarangini) |date=1935 |page=17, Note 102 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.530051/page/n59 }}</ref>

According to some Buddhist writers including [[Taranatha]], the Buddhist preacher Madhyantika introduced [[saffron]] cultivation into Kashmir. Buddhism and [[Shaivism]] flourished side by side in Kashmir during Ashoka's time and received the Emperor's patronage in equal measure. Kalhana notes that Ashoka built two [[Shiva]] temples at Vijayeshvara ([[Bijbehara]]), and ordered several others renovated. In [[Verinag|Vitastatra]] (Vethavutur) and at Shuskaletra (Hukhalitar) he built a number of viharas and stupas.

===Ashoka's successors===
Buddhism suffered a temporary eclipse during the reign of Ashoka's successors [[Jalauka]] and Damodara. Kalhana, asserted that a large number of Buddhist scholars were vanquished in debates with Jalauka's guru [[Avadhuta]], and hence traditional observances were slowly revived. Later, however, Jalauka created a big vihāra, the Krityashramavihara in the vicinity of [[Varaha]]mula ([[Baramulla]]), which still existed as late as the 11th century. The history of Kashmir after Damodara is not certain until the time of the [[Kushan Empire|Kushanas]].

==Kushana period==
The [[Kushan]]a period saw a great resurgence of Buddhism in Kashmir, especially during the reign of [[Kanishka]]. The fourth [[Buddhist Council]] was held in Kashmir, under the presidency of Katyayaniputra, in Kanishka's time. The south Indian Buddhist philosopher [[Nagarjuna]] lived in Kashmir during the Kushana period.

==Post-Kushana reaction==
[[File:Enthroned Buddha with inscription, Gilgit Kingdom, circa 600 CE.jpg|thumb|Enthroned Buddha with inscription, [[Patola Shahis|Gilgit Kingdom]], circa 600 CE.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metropolitan Museum of Art |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/76445 |website=www.metmuseum.org}}</ref>]]
During the reign of [[Abhimanyu]], which in Kalhana's chronicle follows that of [[Kanishka]], Buddhist scholars under the guidance of Nagarjuna defeated the Shaivite clergy in debates, encouraging people to choose Buddhism. However, during the time of Chandradeva, revival of knowledge of the works of [[Patanjali]], like the [[Mahabhashya]] which had become rare, led to a resurgence of [[Shaivism]]. By the time of Gonanda, the old philosophy was completely revived.
Nothing is known about the religious affiliations of [[Pratapaditya]], a scion of the [[Gupta dynasty]], and his successors, except that they are stated to have ruled well, and accorded the fullest liberty of faith.

Buddhism is stated by Kalhana and [[Xuanzang|Hiuen Tsang]] to have suffered severe setbacks under the [[Huns]], especially under [[Mihirakula]], whom Hiuen Tsang describes as a great persecutor of the Buddhists.

==[[Meghavahana]]==
Upon Mihirakula's death, Kashmir was ruled by [[Meghavahana]], who belonged to the old ruling dynasty of Kashmir. Meghavahana was a staunch Buddhist, who issued a proclamation against killing of all animals at the very time of his coronation, and built numerous stupas.

==Xuanzang in Kashmir==
[[Xuanzang]] arrived in Kashmir taking the route from Tibet and [[Ladakh]]. He had a significant influence in spreading Buddhism in Kashmir. When he had first arrived in Kashmir, Buddhism was a widespread religion. He later proceeded to [[Harsha]]'s empire to learn more about Buddhism.

==Buddhist influence in Kashmir==
[[File:WLA lacma Buddha Shakyamuni or the Jina Buddha Vairochana Kashmir.jpg|thumb|WLA lacma Buddha Shakyamuni or the Jina Buddha Vairochana Kashmir]]
In [[Kalhana]]'s time, and before, there was apparently no distinction between "Hindus" and Buddhists in Kashmir. Kalhana himself used Buddhist terms and expressions as a Buddhist would.

[[Nilamata Purana]] was the text of the worshippers of Nila Naga; [[snake worship|Naga worship]] was common in Kashmir. It mentions the prevalence of Buddhist worship in Kashmir.

Here are some quotes from Nilamat Purana from Kashmir (trans. by Dr. Ved
Kumari) (link below). It correctly represents the religious spirit of ancient India.

709-710a. ''O Brahman, the god Visnu, the lord of the world, shall be (born as) the preceptor of the world, Buddha by name, at the time when the Pusya is joined with the moon, in the month of Vaisaksha,
in twenty eighth Kali Age.''<br>
710b-12. ''Listen from as to how his worship should be performed in the bright-half, from that period onwards, in future. The image of Buddha should be bathed (with water rendered holy) with all medicinal herbs, all jewels and all scents, in accordance with the sayings of the Sakyas. The dwellings of the Sakyas (i.e. Viharas) should be whitewashed with care.''<br>
713. ''Here and there, the Caityas - the abodes of the god - should be provided with paintings. The festival, swarming with the actors and the dancers, should be celebrated. <br>
714. ''The Sakyas should be honoured with Civara (the dress of a Buddhist mendicant), food and books. All this should be done till the advent of Magha.''<br>
715. ''O twice-born, eatable offerings should be made for three days. Worship with flowers, clothes etc. and charity for the poor (should continue for three days).''

Kalhana's ''[[Rajatarangini]]'' mentions that a monumental metallic image of Buddha once stood in Srinagar, which was eventually destroyed by [[Sikandar Butshikan]]. A significant number of beautifully crafted Buddhist bronzes have survived.

A Buddhist [[bhikshu]] was present in [[Baramulla]] in the 13th century. The Kashmiri [[pundit (India)|Pandits]] still worship the [[triratna]] symbol.

After the Islamization of Kashmir by sultans like [[Sikandar Butshikan]], much of Hinduism was gone and a little of Buddhism remained. Fazl writes, "The third time that the writer accompanied His Majesty to the delightful valley of Kashmir, he met a few old men of this persuasion (Buddhism), but saw none among the learned."<ref>{{cite book|title=Theory and Practice of Muslim State in India|author=Kishori Saran Lal|author-link=Kishori Saran Lal|page=110|publisher=Aditya Prakashan|year=1999}}</ref>

==Buddhist art==
Kashmir was a major center of Buddhist art, and there is evidence of significant influence of Kashmir style on 11-13th century Tibetan art.<ref>[https://www.marg-art.org/read-free.html Kashmir and the Tibetan Connection, Pal, Pratapaditya, Marg, Vol. 40 No. 2, March 1987, pp. 57-75]</ref>

While Buddhism is now extinct in the valley of Kashmir, masterpieces of Buddhist art from Kashmir are present in many western museums, including:
*[[Art Institute of Chicago]]
*[[Asia Society]] (New York City)
*[[Cleveland Museum of Art]]
*[[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]]
*[[Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]]
*[[Rubin Museum of Art]] (New York City)
*[[Saint Louis Art Museum]]
*[[University of Michigan]] Museum of Anthropological Archaeology
*[[Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]]
<ref>[http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/view/exhibitions/past-exhibits/2015/collecting-paradise.html Collecting Paradise: Buddhist Art of Kashmir and Its Legacies, 01/13/2015-04/19/2015]</ref>

==Jainism in Kashmir==
A 9th century [[Sanskrit]] play called ''[[Āgamaḍambara]]'' by Bhatta Jayant during the rule of Sarikaravarman (r. 883-902). It mentions the presence of both [[Digambara]] and [[Śvētāmbara]] [[Jain]] monks in Kashmir.<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/24049361.pdf Evidence of Jainism in Afghanistan and Kashmir in Ancient Times, Pratapaditya Pal, Bulletin of the Asia Institute, New Series, Vol. 21 (2007), pp. 25-33]</ref>

==See also==

* [[History of Kashmir]]
* [[History of India]]
* [[Kashmiri Hindus]]
* [[Jainism in Kashmir]]
* [[Kashmir Valley]]
* [[Buddhism]]
* [[Hinduism]]
* [[History of Buddhism]]
* [[History of Hinduism]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Ganhar et al., ''Buddhism in Kashmir and Ladakh,'' Tribune Press, New Delhi, 1956
* Kaul, Advaitavadini,''Buddhist Savants of Kashmir - Their Contributions Abroad'', Utpal Publications,Srinagar,1987
* Kaul, Advaitavadini, [https://web.archive.org/web/20121004052125/http://www.indologica.com/volumes/vol31/06_Kaul.pdf Buddhism in Kashmir], Indologica Taurinensia 31, 159-171, 2005
* Rizvi, J. Trans-Himalayan Caravans, Oxford India Paperbacks, 1999.
* Kalhana's Rajatarangini, A Chronicle of the Kings of Kashmir, M.A. Stein, 2 vols. London, 1900.
* The Patola Shahi dynasty : a Buddhological study of their patronage, devotion and politics, Rebecca L. Twist, PhD Thesis, The Ohio State University 2008. [https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ETD_SUBID:66349#abstract-files]

==External links==
* [http://www.koausa.org/Purana/index.html Nilamata Purana, trans. Ved Kumari]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051023114810/http://asianart.com/rossi/gallery3/8.html Kashmiri Buddha bronze] (c. 644 - 654), inscribed in the reign of king Narasurendea
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210422/http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/treasure_object.asp?ObjectID=548 Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni] 8th century
* [http://www.the-south-asian.com/Aug2004/Gilgit_manuscript.htm The Gilgit Manuscript]

{{Buddhism topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buddhism in Jammu and Kashmir}}
[[Category:Buddhism in Jammu and Kashmir|Kashmir]]
[[Category:Buddhism in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Religion in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:History of Kashmir]]

Buddhism in Kashmir - Revision history

>पाटलिपुत्र at 08:08, 13 April 2021