Where did Buddhism originate?

Buddhism started in India around 2,500 years

ago. It has since spread across Asia and
around the world.

What are the main beliefs of Buddhism?

Buddhists do not believe in a god that created everything. Buddhists
believe in reincarnation, or rebirth. Reincarnation is the belief that when
someone dies, they are reborn again as something else. They believe
that the human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but it is possible to
escape this cycle forever by reaching a state of enlightenment, or
nirvana. Buddhists try to live their lives in a way that reduces suffering.

What festivals do Buddhists

celebrate?
There are two main festivals that Buddhist
celebrate. They are Wesak and Parinirvana Day.
Wesak is celebrated in May. It is the festival
celebrating the birth of the Buddha. Parinirvana
Day marks Buddha’s death and when the Buddha
achieved final enlightenment.

Who was the Buddha?

Siddhartha Gautama became known as the Buddha. He was the first
person to reach the state of enlightenment (Nirvana).
What is the symbol of Buddhism?
The symbol of Buddhism is called ‘The Wheel of Life’, the
Dharmachakra or the Dharma Wheel. The wheel represents
the teachings of the Buddha. The three swirls in the center of
the wheel represent the three jewels of Buddhism. The three
jewels are the Buddha (or the teacher), the Dharma (the
teachings of Buddha), and the sangha (the community). It is
in the shape of a wheel to represent the completeness of the
Dharma.
Buddhist monks praying in Luang Prabang, Laos

Buddhist novice monks in wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai

Where are some Buddhist pilgrimage sites?
There are four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. They were named by Gautama Buddha as
places worthy of pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a significant or sacred place. A
person going on a pilgrimage is called a pilgrim.

The Mahabodhi Temple in India. The temple is believed to house

the Bodhi tree where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. The
tree is also known as the tree of awakening.

Lumbini in Nepal. This is the birthplace of Siddhartha.

 Sarnath in India. Sarnath is the place Gautama
Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Kuśinagara or Kushinagar in India. Kuśinagara is where Gautama

Buddha died and attained Parinirvana. Parinirvana is nirvana after
death.
Did you know?
 80 BCE 50 CE
Theravada Buddhism spreads Buddhism transmitted to China
to Sri Linka. and East Asia.

50 CE
Buddhism established in
Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia.

1st Century CE 100 – 200 CE

The Second Buddhist Council is
convened at Vaisali, leading to the
division of the Buddhist community
into the Theravada and Mahayana
traditions Lotus Sutra and other
Mahayana sutras translated.

Mahayana Buddhism, with its

emphasis on compassion and the
concept of Bodhisattvas, begins to
emerge as a distinct tradition.

375 – 500 CE
Buddhism established in Korea.
500 CE
Vajrayana Buddhism is created. It
was developed from Mahayana,
though some consider it a branch
of Mahayan as opposed to its
own Buddhism form. It became
most popular in Tibet and is even
known as Tibetan Buddhism.

900 CE
Buddhism established in Thailand.

850 CE
First complete printing of Chinese
Buddhist Canon.
500 – 600 CE
The Buddhist Monastic University in
Nalanda, India is opened. While its
foundation is traced to this time period,
references to the site date back to the
time if Buddha, including it having been
referenced as the place of study for
important figures such as Niagarjuna.

600s CE
Buddhism becomes the official
Religion of Tibet. This was done by
King Songsten Gampo who also
unified Tibet (641 CE) and had two
Buddhist wives. However,
Buddhism would fade from Tibet
after its conquering by the Chinese
in the 1900s.
 1200 CE
Ch’an Buddhism of China taken to Japan as Zen.
Zen Buddhism develops in Japan, emphasizing
meditation and direct experience.

1400 CE
Theravad Buddhism in Cambodia. he
Ming Dynasty in China suppresses
Buddhism, leading to the destruction
of monasteries and the decline of the
tradition.

1500 - 1800 CE
Buddhism experiences a revival in
Southeast Asia, especially in countries
like Burma, Thailand, Laos, and
Cambodia.
 1900 CE
Western scholars and explorers show
interest in Buddhism, and missionary
efforts lead to the spread of Buddhism to
the West.

20th Century
Various Western Buddhist movements
and organizations emerge, blending
traditional teachings with contemporary
perspectives. Asian Buddhist leaders,
such as D.T. Suzuki and Thich Nhat
Hanh, play crucial roles in popularizing
Buddhism in the West. Various Western
Buddhist traditions and communities
emerge.

1959 20th – 21st Centuries

The Dalai Lama flees Tibet
after a failed uprising against
Chinese rule, becoming a
global symbol of Tibetan
Buddhism.
Globalization leads to the
spread of Buddhism beyond
Asia, with significant
communities in Europe, North
America, and other parts of the
world.

Comtemporary Developments
Buddhism continues to adapt to modern contexts,
engaging in dialogue with science, psychology, and
other religious traditions. Socially engaged Buddhism
addresses contemporary issues, and Buddhism remains
a global spiritual and philosophical influence.