page_title: Buddhism in Kashmir
section_title: Buddhist influence in Kashmir
hierarchical_section_title: Buddhism in Kashmir / Buddhist influence in Kashmir
caption_attribution_description: India, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir region, South Asia Buddha Shakyamuni or the Jina Buddha Vairochana, circa 725-750 Sculpture; Metal, Brass inlaid with silver, 16 x 8 1/2 x 3 5/8 in. (40.64 x 21.59 x 9.2 cm) From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase (M.69.13.5) Wikipedia Loves Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art This photo of item # M.69.13.5 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was contributed under the team name "ARTiFACTS" as part of the Wikipedia Loves Art project in February 2009. Los Angeles County Museum of Art The original photograph on Flickr was taken by sisleyceli—please add a comment to the original Flickr page whenever a use has been made on Wikipedia or another project. Project galleries on Flickr: this institution, this team
context_page_description: 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 and early Muslim rulers as well. 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.
context_section_description: 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; 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.
  
  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.
  
  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. 
  
  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.
  
  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 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."
caption: WLA lacma Buddha Shakyamuni or the Jina Buddha Vairochana Kashmir
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