Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t17.5

v2.c10.s2.t17.5

It is said, Kanishka ordered that seven horses be starved for six days, then he made an assembly and had Asvaghosa preach the Dharma. Ignoring the grass placed in front of them, the horses were attracted by his preaching, neighing with tears and seeming to have understood the meaning. For this, he got the name Aśvaghoṣa, which means ‘neigh of the horse’. Kanishka was finally convinced and converted to Buddhism, together with his courtiers and people, and treated Asvaghosa with great regard and respect. Several scholars across the world generally think Asvaghosa was born in Ayodhya in northern India.