Make an assessment of Kanishka as a patron of Buddhism.

Assessment of Kushana Emperor Kanishka as a Great Patron of Buddhism:

Kushana Emperor Kanishka I (reigned c. 78–144 A.D.) is revered as the "Second Ashoka" (द्वितीय अशोक) for his colossal patronage of Buddhism:

• 1. Convening the 4th Buddhist Council (Kundalvana, Kashmir):
  • Presided over by Vasumitra with Ashvaghosha as Vice-President; codified the Buddhist commentaries (Mahavibhasha Shastra - the Buddhist Encyclopedia); marked the formal institutional schism of Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana.
• 2. State Patronage and Adoption of Mahayana Buddhism:
  • Adopted Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion, actively patronizing Buddha image worship and erecting the colossal Kanishka Stupa and Reliquary Tower (400 ft) at Purushapura (Peshawar).
• 3. Patronage of Buddhist Scholars and Intellectuals:
  • His imperial court was adorned by immortal Buddhist luminaries—Ashvaghosha (author of Buddhacharita), Nagarjuna (propounder of Madhyamaka Shunyavada), and Vasumitra.
• 4. International Dissemination (Silk Route): Dispatched Buddhist missionary monks across Central Asia and China along the Silk Road, transforming Buddhism into a pan-Asian world religion.