Buddhism in the Maldives

Historic Maldivian Buddhist statue, on display in Sri Lanka National Museum in Colombo 2011.
Ink on paper drawing of a 30 cm high etching on Porites coral stone from the 9th century kept at the museum in Malé. It represents Green Tara, a Vajrayana Buddhist female deity representing enlightened activity and fearlessness.

Buddhism was the predominant religion in the Maldives until at least the 12th century CE. It isn't clear how and when Buddhism was introduced into the islands.[1]

  1. ^ Maniku, H. A. (1986). CONVERSION OF MALDIVES TO ISLAM. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka Branch, 31, 72–81.