Buddhism in Central Asia

The book is organized into seven major sections. Chapter I introduces the geographical, historical, and cultural setting of Central Asia, including the role of Central Asian peoples, ancient routes, and Buddhist literary and archaeological finds. Chapter II studies the early history of Central Asia, focusing on political states such as Kashgar, Khotan, Kucha, Agnideśa or Karashahr, Kao-chang or Turfan, and the relationship between kingship and Buddhism in the northern states. Chapter III examines Buddhism and Buddhist savants of Central Asia, including Buddhism in Afghanistan, Bactria, Parthia, the southern and northern states, Kumārajīva, later Buddhist scholars, and the interaction between Buddhism and other religions such as Brahmanism, Manichaeism, Nestorian Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, and Mongolian Buddhism. Chapter IV treats language and literature, covering scripts, canonical literature, local translations, and Tibetan Buddhist literature. Chapter V studies material culture, including cultural integration, family life, food, dress, recreation, agriculture, handicrafts, exchange, labour, transport, and rural administration. Chapter VI presents the art of Central Asia, with attention to Miran, Khotan, northern schools, Karashahr, Turfan, Tun-huang, Afghanistan, Gandhāra, and Tibetan art. Chapter VII summarizes the broader historical significance of Buddhism in Central Asia.