The first Buddhist missionaries were called "Dharma Bhanaks", and some see a missionary charge in the symbolism behind the Buddhist wheel, which is said to travel all over the earth bringing Buddhism with it. The Emperor Ashoka was a significant early Buddhist missioner. In the 3rd century BCE, Dharmaraksita—among others—was sent out by emperor Ashoka to proselytize and initially the Buddhist tradition through the Indian Maurya Empire, but later into the Mediterranean as far as Greece. Gradually, all India and the neighboring island of Ceylon were converted. Then, in later periods, Buddhism spread eastward and southeastward to the present lands of Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.Welty, Paul Thomas. The Asians: Their Heritage and Their Destiny (Rev. Ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co. (1966); p. 77.
The first Buddhist missionaries were called "Dharma Bhanaks" and some see a missionary charge in the symbolism behind the Buddhist wheel which is said to travel all over the earth bringing Buddhism with it The Emperor Ashoka was a significant early Buddhist missioner In the 3rd century BCE Dharmaraksita—among others—was sent out by emperor Ashoka to proselytize and initially the Buddhist tradition through the Indian Maurya Empire but later into the Mediterranean as far as Greece Gradually all India and the neighboring island of Ceylon were converted Then in later periods Buddhism spread eastward and southeastward to the present lands of Burma Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam and IndonesiaWelty Paul Thomas The Asians Their Heritage and Their Destiny (Rev Ed) Philadelphia J B Lippincott Co (1966); p 77