Transfer of Buddhism Across Central Asian Networks (7th to 13th Centuries)

146 lojda, klimburg-salter and strinu

fragmentation, the descendants of these Tibetan communities developed

diverse cultural identities and religious practices. It is these practices that are

attacked by Yeshe Ö in his edicts. Expanding economic affluence supported the

ecclesiastical estate founded by Yeshe Ö with its political ideology inherited

from Central Tibet and, largely, Kashmiri Mahāyāna Buddhist institutions.

This story is traced in the visual media decorating the portable arts and

monuments of the region from the ninth to the mid eleventh century. Thus

the artistic documents serve as unique and precious historical witnesses to

an extended period of intense interaction between Tibetans and the peoples

of Central Asia―not only during the period of Imperial expansion but in the

following century before the founding and consolidation of the Kingdom of

Purang Guge.