A major world religion numbering over 300 million followers (exact estimates are impossible since Buddhism does not preclude other religious beliefs). Early Buddhism developed from Hinduism through the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and his disciples, around the 5th century bc in northern India. Under leaders such as the emperor Asoka, who converted to Buddhism and encouraged its spread, the religion provided a stabilizing political structure throughout India. Offering a way to salvation that did not depend on caste or the ritualism of the Brahmin priesthood of Hinduism, and strengthened by a large, disciplined monastic order (the sangha), it made a very great impact; but by the end of the 1st millennium ad it had lost ground to a resurgent Hinduism, and the subsequent Muslim invasions virtually extinguished it in India. Meanwhile however, monks had taken the faith all over Asia, to central and northern areas now in Afghanistan, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam; and in south and south-east Asia to Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The final phase of Buddhist expansion, after the 7th century, saw the emergence of Tantric and Tibetan Buddhism.

Owing to its linguistic diversity and geographical extent, Buddhist teaching, scriptures, and observance are complex and varied, but certain main doctrines are characteristic. Buddhism asserts that all phenomena are linked together in an endless chain of dependency. Buddhism teaches that the suffering of the world is caused by desire conditioned by ignorance, but that by following the path of the Buddha, release from the cycle of rebirth can be achieved.

Mahayana Buddhism arose in the 1st century ad and spread mainly throughout northern Asia. It uses supplementary texts written in Sanskrit and emphasizes the value of seeking enlightenment for the sake of others, rather than as a purely personal goal. Theravada Buddhism is based on the tripitaka, original teachings of the Buddha, written in Pali. Theravada emphasizes individual enlightenment. Zen Buddhism was influenced by Daoism and originated in China in the 7th century, taking hold in Japan in the 12th century. Zen Buddhists believe in satori, sudden enlightenment that is achieved under the guidance of a teacher by practising meditation, intellectual exercises, and physical endurance tests.

The last two centuries have demonstrated the resilience of Buddhism and its ability to communicate across cultural barriers. Despite communist revolutions, Western technology, and commercialism, its teaching and its ancient meditation techniques have maintained their appeal. Attempts to revive Buddhism in India are indebted to the impetus of the Theosophical Society, the spread of neo-Buddhism, particularly among the outcastes by Ambedkar and, in recent times, the presence of Tibetan Buddhist refugees. In Thailand, Buddhism continues to enjoy royal patronage, and the work of the sangha is seen as an important factor in social development in the region. Buddhism has survived even in communist China, while in Japan the Pure Land sects of Mahayana Buddhism remain popular. Like Zen, they are also represented in the USA and Europe.

Buddhism. This map shows the extent of Buddhism in about 1000 ad. The expansion of Buddhism beyond India can be traced to the reign of Asoka (273–232 bc), a convert to the religion. He sent out missions, notably to Anuradhapura, capital of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), where Buddhism was established by a relative, perhaps a son. The adoption of Buddhism in other countries was gradual. By the 1st century ad it was spreading throughout central Asia along the SILK ROAD and was known in China, although it did not become widely popular there for another four centuries. From China it reached Korea in the 4th century and Japan in the 6th century, challenging Shinto for a time. It was established in Sumatra and Java in the 5th century and had also spread to Siam (Thailand), Cambodia, and Tibet by the 7th century. Meanwhile Buddhism was in decline in India, where Hinduism was becoming the dominant religion.

Source: MAPS IN MINUTES™ © RH Publications (1997)