Abstract
Indian Mahayana Buddhism has diverse theories regarding its origin, but it is believed that this soteriological religious movement primarily emerged during the Kushan Dynasty. The Kushans, a nomadic people of Central Asia who were skilled in trade, had multicultural characteristics of Greek and Iranian. They embraced Indian religion and culture, and supported Buddhism to legitimize their rule. The creation of Buddha statues in this era had a great influence on the spread of Buddhism beyond India. This era marked an ideological shift, focusing on external power not only sticking to individual performance for the acquisition of the ultimate state. Charity and faithfulness being emphasized, the use of wealth for spiritual purpose was justified. Although the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism is interpreted from the perspective of evolution and development in the history of Buddhism, it is contrary to early Buddhism based on the Shramana tradition of asceticism. Nevertheless these traits of Kushan Buddhism significantly shaped the identity of early Mahayana Buddhism.
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