user201: Catholicism/Christianity had the dark ages and the inquisition in which 'heretics' were prosecuted with violence.  One could claim that Islam is currently in a period of high violence.  Did Buddhism ever go through such a period?

user745: Well, Buddhists countries have had violent periods just as everyone else has, but I can't really think of any major violence committed by Buddhists with a religious motivation, at least not on a large scale. In China there was a rebellion called the Red Turban Rebellion that was caused by a strange breakaway Buddhist group called the White Lotus sect and they managed to overthrow the Yuan dynasty, and one of their military leaders took the throne as the Hongwu emperor. I don't know whether or not their rebellion was motivated by religion or just opportunism though. 

user295: Buddhism experience some very harsh periods. E.g. 

The destruction of Nalanda
Decline of Buddhism in India due to many factors
Kalinga Magha's invasion
Persecution of Buddhists

Buddhism would have gone through some violent times in the Malay Peninsula also as it was predominantly Buddhist before.
Following may also be interesting:

Decline of Buddhism in Thailand
Buddhism in the World Today


201: <p>Catholicism/Christianity had the dark ages and the inquisition in which 'heretics' were prosecuted with violence.  One could claim that Islam is currently in a period of high violence.  Did Buddhism ever go through such a period?</p>
 745: <p>Well, Buddhists countries have had violent periods just as everyone else has, but I can't really think of any major violence committed by Buddhists with a religious motivation, at least not on a large scale. In China there was a rebellion called the Red Turban Rebellion that was caused by a strange breakaway Buddhist group called the White Lotus sect and they managed to overthrow the Yuan dynasty, and one of their military leaders took the throne as the Hongwu emperor. I don't know whether or not their rebellion was motivated by religion or just opportunism though. </p>
 295: <p>Buddhism experience some very harsh periods. E.g. </p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda#Decline_and_end" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The destruction of Nalanda</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_Buddhism_in_India" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Decline of Buddhism in India due to many factors</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalinga_Magha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Kalinga Magha's</a> invasion</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Buddhists" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Persecution of Buddhists</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Buddhism would have gone through some violent times in the Malay Peninsula also as it was predominantly Buddhist before.</p>

<p>Following may also be interesting:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2013/05/24/may-24-2013-decline-of-buddhism-in-thailand/18432/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Decline of Buddhism in Thailand</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/approaching_buddhism/world_today/current_sit_buddhism_world.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Buddhism in the World Today</a></li>
</ul>
