Question

How did Buddhism grow during Kushana dynasty?

Answer 1

Hint:
The greatest king of the Kushana dynasty was ‘Kanishka’.
During his rule, Mahayana Buddhism “the Greater vehicle “emerged as a new form.


Complete answer:
The greatest king of the Kushana dynasty was ‘Kanishka’, who was also known as the “King of Kings”. During his reign, Buddhism spread to a great extent. Buddhist council was organised by him where scholars gathered to discuss major issues. There was a renowned poet in his court named ‘Ashvaghosha’, who wrote the biography of Buddha.
During his rule, Mahayana Buddhism “the Greater vehicle “emerged as a new form. It has some distinct features:
Mahayanists believed in the heavenliness of Buddha and idol worship. Mathura and Taxila became notable places where several statues of Buddha were made.
The ten far-reaching attitudes of Mahayana Buddhism are generosity, skill in means, patience, ethical self-discipline, mental stability, joyful perseverance, strengthening, aspiration-filled prayer and discriminating awareness.
Another distinct feature was a belief in “Bodhisattvas”. A Bodhisattva is a “being” who does not accept his own salvation till everyone attains the same. Thus, they neglect their own salvation for the sake of salvation of others.

The 8 important Bodhisattvas are as following:

Vajrapani: enemy of sin and evil
Avalokiteshvara/ Padmapani (lotus bearer): kind hearted
Manjusri: Bodhisattva of wisdom and compassion
Maitreya: future Buddha
Kshitigarbha: Earth Womb
Amitabha/ Amitayus: Buddha of heaven
Samantabhadra: Universal worthy
Sadaparibhuta: Bodhisattva which manifests never disparaging spirit.

The worship of Bodhisattvas gained popularity in Central Asia and China and later to Korea and Japan. Buddhism also spread to southern and western India. It also spread south to Sri Lanka and Myanmar.



Note:
Mahayana Buddhism is a collection of Buddhist traditions and not a single group. These traditions are Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism, which are all forms of Mahayana Buddhism.
Zen Buddhism is an amalgamation of Taoism and Indian Mahayana Buddhism. It started in China and spread to Korea and Japan.