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Buddhism in Kerala

According to the last census conducted in 2001, Kerala's population consists of 1,78, 83, 449 Hindus(56.2 percent of the total population), 78, 63,342 Muslims (24.7 percent), 60, 57,427 Christians (19.0 percent) and 2,027 Buddhists (0.1 percent).

The 3rd century BC saw the spread of Buddhism in South India and Sri Lanka during Emperor Asoka's rule, said Fr. Dr. K. M. George, historian and chairperson of the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture in Kerala.

Fr. George said; "Buddhism came as a saviour for thousands of low caste people who were sidelined in the then caste-conscious Brahminic society in Southern Indian states. As there was no caste system these people found their religion in Buddhist temples."

"The backwaters and paddyfields of Kerala are called 'Kuttanadu' in Malayalam, the main language in Kerala derived from the term 'Kuttan', a word used for Buddha and 'nadu', for land. Kerala can also be called the Land of Buddha.