Kashmir was a crucial launchpad for global Buddhism, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Archaeological excavations at Zehanpora, Baramulla, led by the J&K Department of Archives and Kashmir University, have unearthed Kushan-period Buddhist remains.
• The discovery includes stupas, structural foundations, and ancient artefacts dating back nearly two millennia, highlighting J&K's role in ancient Indian civilization.
• Kashmir served as a crucial conduit for Buddhism, linking the Indus-Gandhara region with the broader Asian world.
• Emperor Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir, which systematized and spread Mahayana Buddhism.

Detailed Insights:

• Kashmir, known as Sharada Pitha, was a prominent center of learning where Buddhist philosophy was refined, particularly the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) philosophy of Nagarjuna.
• The Gilgit Manuscripts, some of the oldest surviving Buddhist texts, demonstrate Kashmir's role in preserving Buddhist knowledge.
• Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing compassion and universal liberation, spread from Kashmir to regions like Qandhar, Kabul, and Bactria.
• The Sufi-Rishi movement in Kashmir, exemplified by Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, reflects Buddhist values of moderation and compassion, contributing to Kashmiriyat.
• The excavation at Zehanpora aims to reframe J&K's identity, highlighting its historical influence on global moral and philosophical thought beyond its recent history of conflict.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Stupas: Dome-shaped structures serving as Buddhist shrines, often containing relics.
• Mahayana Buddhism: A major branch of Buddhism emphasizing universal liberation and the Bodhisattva ideal.
• Kashmiriyat: The syncretic, composite culture of Kashmir, blending Buddhist, Shaivite, and Sufi traditions.