Buddhism in Kashmir

Buddhism was an important part of the classical Kashmiri culture, as is reflected in the Nilamata Purana and Kalhana's Rajatarangini.

However the Buddhist text Divyavadana states that several monks from Kashmir were invited by Ashoka to Patliputra (present day Patna, Bihar).

[2] The first known ruler of Kashmir, Gonanda (mentioned by Kalhana in his Rajatarangini), was related to Jarasandha, who ruled Magadha during the time of the Kurukshetra war.

Kalhana's in his 12th century historical chronicle Rajatarangini, mentioned king Ashoka of Kashmir as a devout Buddhist who built many stupas[3][4] and Shiva temples.

Kalhana, asserted that a large number of Buddhist scholars were vanquished in debates with Jalauka's guru Avadhuta, and hence traditional observances were slowly revived.

During the reign of Abhimanyu, which in Kalhana's chronicle follows that of Kanishka, Buddhist scholars under the guidance of Nagarjuna defeated the Shaivite clergy in debates, encouraging people to choose Buddhism.

Nothing is known about the religious affiliations of Pratapaditya, a scion of the Gupta dynasty, and his successors, except that they are stated to have ruled well, and accorded the fullest liberty of faith.

Meghavahana was a staunch Buddhist, who issued a proclamation against killing of all animals at the very time of his coronation, and built numerous stupas.

According to the Nilamata Purana of Kashmir, as translated by Dr. Ved Kumari, it states[8]: Kalhana's Rajatarangini mentions that a monumental metallic image of Buddha once stood in Srinagar, which was eventually destroyed by Sikandar Butshikan.

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.