Kashmir as a Nexus of
Knowledge: Intellectual Intersections and Syncretism in
Hindu and Buddhist Thought
Dr. Tasmiya Bashir
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the rich intellectual heritage
of Kashmir during its Hindu and Buddhist periods, accentuating the
region’s standing as a center of learning and cultural exchange in
South and Central Asia. Nestled amidst the towering Himalayas,
Kashmir was more than a geographical crossroads; it served as a
dynamic pivot where philosophical ideas, religious texts, and
scholarly traditions from India, Central Asia, and even East Asia
intersected. During the early centuries of the Common Era, Buddhist
scholarly activity under the Kushan Empire—including the notable
Fourth Buddhist Council—laid the groundwork for a tradition of
rigorous doctrinal inquiry. Later, Hindu institutions, particularly
the Sharada Peeth, became focal points for Sanskrit learning, Shaiva
philosophy, and literary innovation. Eminent scholars such as
Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Abhinavagupta, and Anandavardhana emerged
from this intellectual climate, contributing to Buddhist Madhyamaka
and Yogacara thought as well as the sophisticated metaphysics and
aesthetics of Kashmir Shaivism. The present research work
scrutinizes the interplay between Hindu and Buddhist intellectual
traditions, highlighting their mutual influence and syncretism.
Drawing on historical records, archaeological findings, and textual
analysis, the paper seeks to reframe Kashmir as a central
contributor to South Asian intellectual history, rather than a
peripheral region, demonstrating its lasting impact on philosophical
and religious discourses across Asia.
Key words: Intellectual Heritage, Hindu-Buddhist Interaction,
Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Cultural Exchange, South Asian Philosophical
Traditions and Religious Syncretism.
