India + Buddhism = Indian Buddhism
The history of Indian Buddhism is vast and complex, extending from its origins around the 5th century BCE to its decline in India around the 12th century CE, although it continued to flourish in other parts of Asia. Here is a brief overview of key periods and developments.
Indian Buddhism began with Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha ("the Enlightened One"). Born into a royal family in what is now Nepal, Siddhartha renounced his princely life in search of a solution to human suffering. He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and began teaching the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which form the basis of Buddhist philosophy.
The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism. After a brutal war, he converted to Buddhism and became a great patron, sending missionaries as far away as Greece and Egypt. Ashoka also convened the Third Buddhist Council and codified the teachings of the Buddha.
Initially, Buddhism was divided into various schools of thought, including Theravāda, Mahāsāṃghika, and Sarvāstivāda. The Pāli Canon, the oldest collection of Buddhist scriptures, was committed to writing during the 1st century BCE in Sri Lanka.
Around the beginning of the Common Era, a new form of Buddhism, Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle"), began to emerge. Mahayana emphasized the role of the bodhisattva, a being who forgoes enlightenment to help others. Texts like the Lotus Sutra and the Heart Sutra became central to this school.
Institutions like Nalanda University became renowned centers of Buddhist (as well as Hindu and Jain) learning, attracting students from as far away as China and the Middle East.
Despite its origins in India, Buddhism began to decline around the end of the first millennium CE. This was due to several factors including the Muslim conquests, the resurgence of Hinduism, and the lack of royal patronage. By the end of the 12th century, Buddhism had virtually disappeared in India, although it continued to flourish in other parts of Asia.
Although it largely vanished from its land of origin, Buddhism left a lasting imprint on Indian culture and philosophy. Various practices, artistic traditions, and philosophical concepts found in Indian Buddhism were transmitted to other parts of Asia and continue to be a significant part of global Buddhism today.
This is a broad overview, and each of these topics could be delved into in much greater detail. However, it provides a framework for understanding the key phases and developments in the history of Indian Buddhism.
The Buddhist Scriptures originated in India in the 6th century before Christ, then spread throughout Asia - including Nepal , Sri Lanka , Myanmar , Thailand , Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Tibet , China , Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Bhutan, Indonesia, Taiwan & Singapore — giving rise to various sacred traditions and texts.