How did buddism spread through Asia?

http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/resources/Spread.html

Buddhism originated in India around the 6th century BCE and gradually spread to various parts of Asia, including Southeast Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and eventually into Tibet.

There were several key factors that contributed to the spread of Buddhism across Asia:

1. Trade Routes: One of the main avenues for the dissemination of Buddhism was the extensive trade networks that connected different regions. Merchants traveling along the Silk Road and other trade routes often carried Buddhist teachings with them, introducing the religion to foreign lands.

2. Emperor Ashoka: Emperor Ashoka, who ruled a vast part of the Indian subcontinent during the 3rd century BCE, played a significant role in spreading Buddhism. After converting to Buddhism, he sent Buddhist missionaries to neighboring kingdoms, such as Sri Lanka and Myanmar, helping to establish Buddhism in those regions.

3. Translation Efforts: Buddhist texts were translated into different languages as the religion spread, facilitating its adoption in new territories. This enabled people to access and understand Buddhist teachings in their native languages. For example, during the early spread of Buddhism in China, texts were translated into Chinese by scholars, making them accessible to the local populations.

4. Cultural Assimilation: As Buddhism moved into new regions, it often assimilated with local cultural and religious practices. In many cases, Buddhism blended with existing belief systems, such as Taoism in China and Shintoism in Japan, creating syncretic forms of Buddhism that resonated with the local population.

5. Royal Patronage: Buddhism gained significant support from various rulers and kings who became patrons of the religion. These royal endorsements provided institutional support, which further facilitated the spread of Buddhism and the establishment of monastic communities.

Overall, the spread of Buddhism across Asia was a gradual process that involved trade networks, the efforts of missionaries, translation of texts, cultural assimilation, and royal patronage. The religion adapted to different cultural contexts and gradually became integrated into the fabric of Asian societies.