Buddhism emerged in ancient India, challenging traditional Hindu beliefs. The Buddha's teachings on suffering, enlightenment, and the Middle Way gained followers across social classes. His ideas spread beyond India's borders, evolving into different schools of thought.

As Buddhism expanded, it adapted to local cultures while maintaining core principles. The religion's emphasis on personal spiritual growth and rejection of the caste system appealed to many. Its spread along trade routes led to diverse regional forms of Buddhism.

Life and Teachings of the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama's Early Life and Spiritual Journey

• Born into a wealthy family in present-day Nepal around the 5th century BCE
• Left his life of luxury to seek spiritual enlightenment through asceticism (extreme self-denial and austerity)
• After years of searching, attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree
• Became known as the Buddha, or "Enlightened One"

The Buddha's Core Teachings

• Life is characterized by suffering (dukkha) caused by desire and attachment
• Rejected the authority of the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures) and the caste system
• Taught the Dharma, emphasizing the Middle Way between extreme asceticism and indulgence as the path to liberation from suffering
• Established a monastic order (Sangha) for his followers to practice his teachings
  • The Sangha was open to all regardless of caste or social status (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras)

Core Principles of Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

• The Four Noble Truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism
  1. Life is suffering (dukkha)
  2. Suffering arises from attachment and desire
  3. Suffering can be overcome
  4. The path to overcoming suffering is the Eightfold Path
• The Eightfold Path is the Buddhist path to liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth
  1. Right understanding
  2. Right thought
  3. Right speech
  4. Right action
  5. Right livelihood
  6. Right effort
  7. Right mindfulness
  8. Right concentration

Key Buddhist Concepts

• Karma: an individual's actions in this life determine their fate in future rebirths
  • Good actions lead to positive outcomes (merit)
  • Bad actions result in negative consequences (demerit)
• Nirvana: the ultimate goal of Buddhism, a state of enlightenment characterized by the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth
  • Achieved through the practice of the Eightfold Path and the realization of the Four Noble Truths
• Anatta (non-self): the doctrine that the self is an illusion and that all things are impermanent and subject to change
  • Rejects the concept of an eternal, unchanging soul (atman) found in Hinduism

Theravada vs Mahayana Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism

• Also known as the "School of the Elders," the more conservative branch
• Emphasizes individual enlightenment through strict adherence to the Buddha's original teachings
• Dominant form of Buddhism in Southeast Asian countries (Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar)
• Holds that enlightenment is attained through individual effort and strict monastic discipline (Vinaya)

Mahayana Buddhism

• Also known as the "Great Vehicle," developed later than Theravada
• Places greater emphasis on compassion and the bodhisattva ideal
  • A bodhisattva is an enlightened being who delays their own nirvana to help others attain enlightenment (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri)
• More prevalent in East Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea)
• Believes that enlightenment can be achieved through various means, including devotion to bodhisattvas and the study of sutras (Buddhist scriptures)
• Introduced the concept of sunyata (emptiness), which holds that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence and are interconnected

Key Differences

• Theravada primarily focuses on the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, while Mahayana recognizes multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas (Amitabha, Vairocana)
• Mahayana Buddhism developed a more extensive pantheon of divine beings, while Theravada places less emphasis on such figures

Spread of Buddhism Beyond India

Patronage and Missionary Activities

• Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire (268-232 BCE) embraced Buddhism and sent missionaries to various regions
  • Sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka
  • Sent missionaries to Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, and Indonesia)
• The Silk Road trade routes facilitated the transmission of Buddhism to Central Asia and China
  • Buddhist monks and merchants traveled along these routes, establishing monasteries and spreading the teachings of the Buddha (Dunhuang, Bamiyan)

Inclusivity and Adaptability

• The inclusive nature of Buddhism, which welcomed people from all social classes and backgrounds, made it appealing to many individuals who felt excluded by the rigid caste system of Hinduism
• The simple and practical teachings of Buddhism, which emphasized personal responsibility and the alleviation of suffering, resonated with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• The adaptability of Buddhism allowed it to assimilate local beliefs and practices as it spread to new regions, contributing to the development of distinct regional forms of Buddhism (Zen in Japan, Tibetan Buddhism)

Translation and Scholarship

• The translation of Buddhist texts into local languages (Chinese, Tibetan) made the teachings more accessible to a wider audience
  • The Chinese Buddhist canon (Tripiṭaka) contains translations of numerous Buddhist texts
• The establishment of Buddhist monasteries and universities (Nalanda in India) attracted scholars and students from various parts of Asia, who then carried the teachings back to their homelands
  • Nalanda was a major center of Buddhist learning, attracting scholars from China (Xuanzang) and Tibet