ABSTRACT

The source of the Mahayana revolution was that now familiar region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, the region known as Ghandara in ancient times. In the early centuries of the common era, Mahayana Buddhism radiated out from there, ultimately traveling great distances. Geographically close to India is Tibet, and Mahayana, or more specifically Vajrayana Buddhism, would eventually travel up into the high country where it was to become solidly established. Near the center of the map of Eurasia, just to the north of Tibet, is a well-defined oval depression named the Tarim Basin. Traveling westward from central China, the Silk Road necessarily split into a northern route and a southern route when it reached the desert of the Takla Makan. During the time of Han there was some resistance to Buddhism from the Confucians, who as a group held virtually all important government posts.