Buddhism In Gandhara

Abstract

The present study entitled “Buddhism in Gandhara” focuses on the religious faith of Gandharans during the Kushan Empire, especially during Kanishka Reign when Buddhism became popular. This research focuses on the religious art works flourished during the regime, including stone sculpture of Gandhara and Mathura reflect the Hellenistic style of Gandharan Buddhist art. It also deals with the artifacts, coins, inscriptions, narrative sculptures from Kushan to ascertain Gandharan Buddhist tradition as documented in art, archaeology, and epigraphy, which comes mainly from the region. The Study can be distinguished as a special case study of its own nature for being conducted in the geographical boundaries, where Kushan and Gandhara art was experimented and practiced which afterwards achieved a status of the full-scale culture of the area. The main aim of the research was to study the religious aspects of the inhabitants of the Kushan period, which was prominent in the living patterns of different social classes, structural design of the buildings, attires and cultural outfits of various segments of the society as well as personal features like ornaments, headdresses, and social rituals in shaping the cultural contours of Gandhara art. The study, based on empirical data collected from various museums and archaeological sites, particularly from excavated areas around Taxila valley, which reflect a special understanding of religious artwork during the regime of Kushans supporting a close link with the Kings and Princess during their control of South Asian region. This paper concludes that Buddhism was a thriving religion during the Greek regime and was supported by the state.