Timeline- Buddhism

What is the function of the Buddhism?

Buddhism is more of a path rather less than a religion, it’s the process of developing a spiritual nature that leads to the true nature of reality.

Buddhists practice meditation to be more aware, kind and gain more wisdom. It’s a sacred path to enlightenment or happiness, it’s a process that helps with ends suffering (thebuddistcentre.com). Buddhists believe that they have no true permanent essence, meaning that nothing ever fixed in the materialistic reality is the spiritual reality that needs to be focused on. The basic principles of Buddhism are: “nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible”(thebuddistcentre.com). These methods are used to help individual beings realize that they are fully responsible for their experience there is nothing independent controlling them. In order to live life irrespective of materialistic matter, one must develop morality, meditation, and wisdom (bbc.co.uk). The function of this expression is more of a tool.

Buddhism: a form of religious/spiritual expression

563 BCE - 483 Century BCE

How Siddharta Gautama became Buddha

269-231 BCE

269-231 BCE

The reign of Buddhism

The Mauryan Empire was one of largest empires in India. Emperor Ashoka came across Buddhism after the Kalinga war (261 BCE) when he realized that being bloodthirsty and power hungry will only lead to remorse. Ashoka became one of Buddha followers and later gave Buddhism government support. Emperor Ashoka thought that everyone should follow Buddhism, it was beneficial to feel enlightened. Ashoka built stupas (meditation shrines) for the monks and informed other regions about Buddhism This transpired Buddhism and gave India a period of peace, the idea of Dharma (Cosmic law and order) came in place which helped uniting many countries in Southeastern Asia.

100 BCE - 100 CE

The different branches of Buddhism started to unfold. The most important one being Mahayana. It is a collection of Zen Buddhism, Pure land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism deals with Bodhisattva (being enlighten and liberated from suffering). Theravada is one of the oldest schools of Buddhism. All of Buddha's teaching's are conserved there, it is one of the most important and fundamental schools for Buddhism. The roots of Theravada and Mahayana both originate from the historical basic teaching of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is different from Mahayana Buddhism, the goals of enlightenment are different. Theravada Buddhism focuses on liberation (also known as Nirvana). Mahayana Buddhism expresses the concept of Bodhisattva. They are practiced and originate in different areas. For example Theravada is practiced in area's like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and parts of Southeast Asia. While Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in ibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia. The philosophical and religious teaching evoked one to become more aware of the materialistic world.

100 BCE - 100 CE

Theravada and Mayahana

12th Century

In India Buddhism clashed a lot with orthadox Brahminism and the Islamic faith. This was detrimental because Buddhism was losing a lot of devotees (half which converted out of fear). There was a lot of moral degenertion happening towards Buddhist monks. It almost become instinct. By going through a lot of civil strife it was mind altering when people realized how important it is to remain strong and in touch with what Buddha has brought upon India. This effected Indian politics a lot because many people back then were worried about their religous demographical social status.

12th Century

The Demise of Buddhism

1253- The Western World

1253

The introduction to Buddhism in the western world

In the Colonial Era Buddhism starts to gain Western Interest. William of Rubruck goes on a 3 year journey, with the hope that we could learn more a mongols and add on to western philosophy. He explored all of Asia and the certain concepts of Buddhism. William would compare Buddhism and Christians a lot, he thought there was a doctrine era.

1881- 1893 Further Establisments in the Western World

In 1881 the Pali Text society was founded. It is an organization that perserves the texts of the Teravada in a more edited and published version. It was created by T.W. Rhys Davids.

Then in 1893 World Parliament of Religions is a gathering of Eastern and Western spiritual representatives (held in Chicago). Swami Vivekananda (a Hindu monk) captivated the assembly. This later sparked undivided attention.

1881 -1893

Further Establishments

1959- The Dalai Lama era

1959

The Dalai Lama era

The Dalai Lama is a title given to the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is responsible for governing Tibet. In 1959 the Chinese government took seized Tibet. The fourth Dalai Lama, also known as Tenzin Gyatso fled Tibet and took refuge in India, where he would be protected.

Present Day

Present Day

Buddhism now has 300 million devotees. Over the years Buddhism has shaped many religious and political views toward society. It has overcome many hardships which makes it's an outstanding practice. It is worldly known and still remains to evoke individuals to step away from the materialistic world and focus on the soul/mind altering world.