Buddhism in Turkish literature from the Tanzimat Period to the Republican Period

Starting from the Turkish states established in Central Asia, the Turks had relations with the states established in India. As a result of these relations, the influence of Brahmanism and Buddhism was seen among the Turks. These religions, which showed their influence in the religious field, were also reflected in written sources operating in the cultural field after a while. It has been determined that general information about India, Brahmanism and Buddhism is given in scientific books, travel and memoir books, and literary genres such as poetry, stories, novels and theater. In this study; the interest of the states established by the Turks in Central Asia and Anatolia in India, Brahmanism and Buddhism and its reflections on scientific, literary works and articles published in the press were discussed. It has been determined that information about the characteristics of these religions is generally given in travelogues, souvenirs, books written to provide information, literary works and articles published in the press from the Tanzimat Period to the Republic Period. Authors' perspectives on India, Brahmanism and Buddhism, the methods of conveying their knowledge and thoughts on these issues to the society/reader, and the reactions of the society/reader are shown through scientific and literary works and articles in the press. In these works and articles, It was concluded that the authors; gave information about these religions, compared them with other religions and used some of their features as an element of comparison.