- Kanishka embraced Buddhism in the early part of his reign
- He was tolerant towards other religions. His coins exhibit the images of not only Buddha but also Greek and Hindu gods
- In the age of Kanishka, the Mahayana Buddhism came into vogue and image worship and rituals developed in Mahayana Buddhism
- He sent missionaries to Central Asia and China for the propagation and also built Buddhist chaityas and viharas at different places
- He also convened the Fourth Buddhist Council which was held at the Kundalavana monastery near Srinagar in Kashmir under the presidentship of Vasumitra
- The Council prepared an authoritative commentary on the Tripitakas and the Mahayana doctrine was given final shape
- He patronised Buddhist scholars like
- Vasumitra
- Asvaghosha- a great philosopher, poet and dramatist. He was the author of Buddhacharita
- Nagarjuna from South India
- Charaka- the famous physician of ancient India