Buddhism reached Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia via the Great Silk Road. Archaeologists have found traces of Buddhist influence along this ancient trade route.[1] The most famous Buddhist sites in Kyrgyzstan are the Krasnaya, Rechka and Novopokrovka mounds, where statues of the Buddha have been found.[1]
Buddhism has two branches in Kyrgyzstan: Nipponzan and Karma Kagyu.[2]
Currently, only one registered Buddhist community exists in Kyrgyzstan. The community, known as "Chamsen" ("Liberation" in the Korean language), was founded in 1996 by ethnic Koreans in Gornaya Maevka Village.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kyrgyzstan — the ‘Place on the Way’ of Buddhist monks, Winner, Victor. www.timesca.com.
- ↑ Life of the Only Buddhist Community of Kyrgyzstan(January 10, 2019).