Buddhism in Kyrgyzstan
Buddhism reached Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia via the Great Silk Road. Archaeologists have found traces of Buddhist influence along this ancient trade route. The most famous Buddhist sites in Kyrgyzstan are the "Krasnaya", "Rechka" and "Novopokrovka" mounds, where statues of the Buddha have been found. Buddhism has two branches in Kyrgyzstan: "Nipponzan" and "Karma" "Kagyu". 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.