Kashmir's Contribution to the Expansion of Buddhism in the Far East
By Jan Yun Hua
Summary
The article discusses how Kashmiri Buddhist monks served as cultural ambassadors in carrying Buddhism from India to medieval China and the wider Far East. Drawing on Chinese biographies and catalogues, the author reconstructs the journeys of scholars like Sanghabhuti and Gunavarman who braved deserts, mountains and seas to translate scriptures, establish monasteries and train local monks. The article stresses that Kashmiri contributions spanned translation, doctrinal propagation and ritual practice. It contextualises Kashmir as a centre of Buddhist learning and explains why Indian records are silent while Chinese sources preserve the monks’ names. By examining historical geography and missionary activity, the article highlights the role of Kashmir in shaping East Asian Buddhism and calls for further research on obscure monks and texts.
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Conclusion
Kashmir’s role in the spread of Buddhism was pivotal. Through rigorous scholarship and arduous travel, its monks transmitted texts and rituals that profoundly influenced Chinese, Korean and Japanese Buddhism. Their efforts reveal the deep interconnections within Asia and underscore the importance of cross‑cultural study.