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KANISHKA – PATRON OF BUDDHISM
Khonkhujaev Ozodbek Bakhtiyor ugli
Termiz State University, Faculty of History
student of group 121, 4th year
Annotation:
This article discusses the contribution of King Kanishka to the spread of Buddhism
during his reign in the Kushan Empire. Kanishka succeeded in promoting Buddhism not only in
his own territory but also as the official religion throughout Central Asia and China. His
convening of the Buddhist Council, the official recognition of Mahayana Buddhism, as well as
the systematization and dissemination of the teachings of Buddha, ensured Buddhism's
transformation into a global religious movement. Kanishka's religious policy also had a
significant impact on the development of Buddhist art and culture, particularly influencing
scholarly activities in Termez and other central regions. Great authors such as Ashvagosa, who
lived in his court, made substantial contributions to promoting Buddhism through literature, art,
and philosophy. Under Kanishka's patronage, the global spread and formation of Buddhism
enriched it with new philosophical concepts as a religion.
Keywords:
Kanishka I, Kushan Empire, Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhist Council,
Buddha's teachings, Ashvagosa, Ancient Termez, Eastern culture, Buddhist art, Central Asia,
India, China, Buddhist literature, religious policy, Buddhist philosophy, cultural relations.
Introduction
Today, the Central Asian region is likely the only area in the world that has witnessed the rise
and spread of the three largest religions throughout its history. Indeed, looking at the history of
our land, it is clear that representatives of Islam, Christianity, and even Buddhism have regarded
this region as their home and have lived here for centuries. This is why the people of this region
are still recognized as tolerant and multi-ethnic. The spread of the Orthodox faith in the 19th
century due to the Russian invasion is well known, and the widespread adoption of Islam
occurred in the early Middle Ages as a result of the efforts of the Arab military leader Qutayba
ibn Muslim, becoming deeply rooted in the blood of our ancestors. But what about Buddhism?
Its history is intriguing, and to explore it, we must trace it back to the period of the first empire
established in our territory—the Kushan Empire. The followers of Buddhism owe their gratitude
to our ancestors for the extensive spread and development of the religion, especially because the
Kushan kings, particularly under Kanishka’s leadership, played a key role in its dissemination
across Asia, reaching as far as China.
Main div
The Kushan period holds a significant place not only in the history of the peoples of Central Asia,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and China but also in the development of world culture. During this
period, the political unification of local peoples with diverse ethnicities, languages, and religions
was especially important. As a result of the integration of various cultures, a distinctive new
culture emerged and developed in the region. This, in turn, laid the foundation for the
development of subsequent cultures in later centuries. Furthermore, the Kushan period marked
the conclusion of the previous stages of development for the peoples of Central and South Asia.
From this point on, the interaction between Eastern and Western cultures entered a new historical
phase.
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According to the chronicles, after the Yuehchi tribes conquered Bactria, more than a century
later, the ruler of the Guishuan, Kadphises, defeated the remaining four Yuehchi rulers and
declared himself the Kushan ruler. Kanishka, a descendant of Kadphises, is from the first
Guishuan-Kushan lineage, belonging to the Geray dynasty. Kanishka I ruled from 127 to 151 CE,
during which the Kushan Empire expanded, including the conquest of northern India, and as a
result, Buddhism spread to Central Asia. Kanishka not only supported Buddhism but was also
the first Kushan ruler to embrace the Buddhist faith. It was following this event that the religion
began to spread widely among the population, and many Buddhist temples were constructed.
During this period, Buddhism not only developed significantly in India but also in Central
Asia. It spread towards China through trade routes crossing the Hindu Kush mountains. It was
during this period that major Buddhist monuments, such as those in Bamiyan, Surkhetal, and
Ajina-Tepe in Tajikistan, were built, which proves the considerable development of Buddhism in
this era.
Research shows that in Ancient Termez, Buddhist missionaries studied near temples. They
had perfected their understanding of the Buddha's teachings here. Interestingly, they were able to
compete with Indian priests from the homeland of Buddhism. According to written sources, a
famous priest named Dharmamitra emerged from Termez. Another missionary, Ghoshaka,
participated in the Buddhist council organized by the great Kushan king Kanishka in Peshawar.
The spread of one of the Buddhist sects, the Vibhajyavada, in Bactria is linked to Ghoshaka.
Additionally, he was the author of a major work dedicated to Buddhism, known as the
“Abhidhammapitaka”. Research in Qora-Tepe and Fayoz-Tepe has provided valuable
information not only about the architectural structures related to Buddhism but also about the
ways Buddhism spread in Central Asia, particularly in Bactria. It has also enabled discussions on
the art influenced by Buddhist ideas, the Bactrian language, and writings. It is possible that the
aforementioned Termez priests, Dharmamitra and Ghoshaka, received their education at the
Fayoz-Tepe monastery.
Despite the eclectic approach of Kanishka and his successors, who sought to harmonize
various religious and philosophical currents, the great Kushan ruler was known for his
benevolence towards Buddhism. His patronage of the Fourth Buddhist Council is already
recorded in history. A source found in the Kharosthi script at Shah-ji-Ki-Dheri mentions the
construction of a great stupa associated with Kanishka's name. Shah-ji-Ki-Dheri, one of the
ancient Buddhist monuments near Peshawar, is the site of a massive stupa built by the Kushan
emperor Kanishka in the second century CE. This stupa was one of the tallest buildings of its
time, with ancient sources indicating its height as 400 feet (approximately 122 meters). It was
here that a famous relic box was found, which had been a gift from Emperor Kanishka to the
monastery in Kanishkapura. During his reign, the Buddhist Council prepared commentaries on
canonical texts. One of these, the “Mahavibhasha”, was jointly composed by Parshva and
Vasumitra.
In 1908-1909, an excavation led by American archaeologist D.B. Spooner uncovered a unique
relic known as the "Kanishka Casket" in the central part of a stupa at this site. Made of copper
and covered with gold, it contained the skeletal remains of the Buddha. The casket also bore an
inscription in Kharosthi script mentioning Kanishka's name, confirming that the stupa was
indeed built by him.
The Fourth Buddhist Council, held during the reign of Kanishka, took place around 147-150
CE. The main goal of the council was to systematize Buddhist teachings, formalize the new
Mahayana Buddhism, and transcribe the sacred texts in Sanskrit. This council marked a
significant turning point for Mahayana Buddhism. In this school of thought, Buddha was
increasingly seen not only as a historical figure but as a cosmic being, a Bodhisattva who could
provide salvation to all beings. Supported by Kanishka, this council played a major role in
spreading Buddhism beyond the borders of India. During this period, Buddhism began to spread
to Central Asia, China, and other East Asian countries. Buddhist monks were sent on diplomatic
missions to other nations. After this council, Buddhism was elevated to the status of a state
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religion. The council also systematized the core texts of Mahayana Buddhism, initiating an
important phase in the history of Buddhism. It brought Buddha’s teachings to a new
philosophical and cosmological level, profoundly impacting the development of Eastern
civilizations.
Ashvagosa was the scholarly and literary architect of the Buddhist reforms during Kanishka's
reign. He theoretically strengthened the emperor's religious policies and shaped the core ideas of
Mahayana Buddhism. Kanishka patronized Ashvagosa, inviting him to the court and overseeing
the work of the council. It is believed that Ashvagosa lived and served at the emperor's court,
where he was Kanishka’s official poet and advisor. This information was recorded by Chinese
Buddhist travelers such as Faxian and Xuanzang. Kanishka supported Ashvagosa in promoting
Buddhism through literature, art, and philosophy. He is thought to have written the
“Buddhacharita”, a work about Buddha’s life, at Kanishka's court. Along with Kanishka,
Ashvagosa contributed significantly to establishing and promoting Mahayana Buddhism as the
official religious doctrine of the empire. This school focused on the divinity of Buddha and the
idea that all beings could attain salvation. Ashvagosa’s works, particularly the “Buddhacharita”,
were spread to China and Central Asia under Kanishka’s patronage, playing a vital role in
transforming Buddhism into a transnational religious movement.
Conclusion
Kanishka I not only became a powerful ruler of his time but also left an indelible mark on
history as a great figure who promoted religious tolerance and the global spread of Buddhism.
During his reign, Buddhism spread through Central Asia to China and even to East Asia, paving
the way for it to become one of the world’s major religions. Kanishka’s patronage of the
Buddhist Council, the construction of grand stupas, and his attention to Buddhist literature and
art played a decisive role in the development of the religion. Particularly through his support of
scholars like Ashvagosa, the philosophy of Buddhism was theoretically grounded and enriched
in literary terms. Thus, Kanishka holds a unique place in the history of humanity not only as an
emperor but also as a great patron of Buddhism.
References
1.
Sh. Pidaev. “Sirli Kushonlar saltanati”
2.
Puri. “Buddism in Central Asia”
3.
N. Aslam, M. Bukhari & S. Ahmad
.
“Exploring Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in Pakistan:
Historical and Spiritual Significance”
4.
Encyclopaedia Iranica. “Kushan Dynasty”
5.
R. Xudoyberdiyev. “Buddaviylik ta’limotinig paydo bo’lishi va tarqalishi”
