1. Universalizing Religion (Buddhism)

2. Buddhism About 400 million adherents Hearth + diffusion?
difficult to quantify due to syncretism (combo of diff beliefs)
Co-adherents w/ other belief systems; No structured worship/community
Hearth + diffusion?
India  East + Southeast Asia
Diffused hierarchically AND contagiously in India
Asoka (B.C. 200s) 1st powerful monarch to embrace Hinduism – spreads it beyond India; was warlike + then coverts/sends missionaries/issues edicts
Then, expansion -- contagious diffusion to E + SE Asia through monks, missionaries, and merchants along the “Silk Road”
Why is Buddhism not widely practiced in India today?
Syncretism; absorbed into Hinduism. Declines in India; influential elsewhere.
Three branches
Mahayana (56%) (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam)
Not as strict
Theravada/Hinayana (38%) (Southeast Asia)
Strict’ Requires monastic service (being a monk)
Tantrayana/Vajrayana (6%) (Tibet, Mongolia)

4. Buddhism Founding? Siddhartha Four Noble Truths
The Buddha; aka Enlightened One
Born a Hindu Prince in 563 BCE in Nepal
Gave up his wealth + set out on journey of self-discovery
4 trips: “Why does suffering exist?” “How do we end suffering?”
Meditated 49 days under bodhi tree, achieved “nirvana” ; becomes “teacher” + preaches 1st Deer Park = holy city; says we can end suffering + end cycle/ achieve “nirvana”
Four Noble Truths
Suffering exists in this world.
Suffering is caused by desire.
To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire (suffering can be cured)
To eliminate desire, follow the Eightfold Path (cure)
Nirvana (Enlightenment/total peace)
Similarities/Differences to Hinduism?
Dharma, Karma, Reincarnation; “Being one with the universe.” Moksha = Nirvana
Nonviolence; anti- caste system.

5. Buddhism Mahayana Theravada Tantayana
Calendar
View of Buddha
Universalizing, so holidays will be based on what?
Life of founder
Siddhartha's Lumbini (Nepal)
Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya (where he sat under the bodhi tree)
1st Sermon at Deer Park
Death at Kushinagara
Mahayana
Buddha elevated to divine
Not as strict in requiring monastic lifestyle
Boddhisatvas
Enlightenment guides
Theravada
Buddha = teacher, example
Requires monastic sacrifice
Tantayana
More mystical
Mixes in demons + other deities
Practice “sky burial”

6. Origin + Diffusion of Buddhism
Mahayana
Theravada (Hinyana)
spreads to Central Asia then…
along silk road to China, Tibet then to Korea and Vietnam
Japan = Zen
samurai
spreads to Sri Lanka, SE Asia

7. Why is Buddhism not practiced in India today?
Syncretism
absorbed into Hinduism

8. Buddhist Art and Architecure

9. Buddhist Places of Worship
stupas
mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics collected by Buddha’s followers in South Asia (typically remains of monks or nuns); used as a place of meditation. 
pagodas
Evolved from stupa concept (also a repository for relics). Mostly found in East Asia (China + Japan)
Also part of Shinto landscape
Asoka’s pillars
Columns dispersed throughout India
Know King Asoka, most important figure in the diffusion of Buddhism

10. Buddhist Symbols

11. Pagodas (E. Asia) mark locations of temples
Stupas (India) house relics