Buddhism in Afghanistan has a long history. Many monuments, such as the famous Buddhas of Bamyan, testify to the Buddhist culture in Afghanistan. It was during Ashoka's reign that Buddhism was introduced to what later became Afghanistan. Kanishka (120 to 160) was a Buddhist who built many stupas. Many of the Iranian forebearers of the Pashtuns, including the Scythians followed Buddhism until the arrival of Islam. Currently, there are a few Buddhists in Afghanistan, probably numbering 0.3% of this Islamic country. Along with Hindus and Sikhs, they are all collectively known as the Hindki.

See also

• Buddhist art
• Buddhas of Bamyan
• Greco-Buddhism
• Hinduism in Afghanistan
• Silk Road

References

External links

• http://www.geocities.com/afghan_buddhists/index.htm (Afghan buddhist website)
• http://web.singnet.com.sg/~sidneys/afghanitan.htm
• http://www.berzinarchives.com/islam/history_afghanistan_buddhism.html
• http://www.punjabilok.com/afghanistan/bamiyan_buddhas1.htm
• http://folk.uio.no/atleom/manuscripts.htm
• http://www.silkroadfoundation.org/artl/buddhism.shtml