1. BUDDHISM

2. Siddhartha Gautama Sakya: Buddha ca. 563-483 bce
Prophesied to be king or world redeemer at birth
A prince who gave up his wealth to find escape from human suffering
Studied with Hindu masters
Became an ascetic
Meditated under Bo tree for 49 days and nights until he experienced enlightenment
Became a wandering teacher dedicated to help others achieve Nirvana

3. Siddhartha Gautama Sakya: Buddha ca. 563-483 bce*
Birth at Lumbini bce
Marriage at Kapilavastu
Renunciation at Kapilavastu
Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya –
1st Year after Enlightenment at Sarnath
Death / Parinirvana at Kushinagar bce
*dates are disputed: , ,

4. Buddhism A religion without a god
Each individual must find his/her own way to enlightenment
Four Noble Truths:
Life consists of suffering, impermanence, imperfection, incompleteness.
The cause of suffering is desire (selfishness).
Ceasing to desire relieves suffering.
The answer to the problem of suffering is the Eight-fold Path

5. The Eight-Fold Path Knowledge of the Four Noble Truths
Right aspiration toward enlightenment
Right speech that is honest and charitable
Right conduct: no drinking, killing, lying, lust
Right living
Right effort
Right thinking with emphasis on self-awareness
Right use of meditation

6. Aniconic Buddhist Symbols
(Avoids direct representation of human figure)
Dharma Wheel
Buddhapada: Footprint of the Buddha

7. Empty throne under Bodhi tree: Bharhut
Empty throne under Bodhi tree: Bharhut.;  Stone: Sandstone; India, Sunga Period, 2nd-1st century bce
Source found nov.  16th 2006 Amaravati stupa, built over 1800 years ago in Northern India, this panel is now in the British Museum. You can see four people bowing. What are they bowing to? The symbols that we can see in this picture are: the footprints (page 22) the empty throne (page 21 and 23) 3 royal umbrellas (page 42) the Bodhi tree (page 24)
3 umbrellas, bodhi tree, empty throne, footprints Amaravati Stupa, c. 2nd c. ce

8. Appeal of Buddhism
Escape from endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth through enlightenment: Nirvana
Egalitarian: anyone can achieve Nirvana
Reliance on individual will and searching: individuals work out their own salvation
Avoidance of extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification: “the middle path”
Profoundly ethical

9. Pitakas “Baskets of the Law”
Disciples memorized Buddha’s teachings and collected them in 3 main books
Languages: Pali and Sanskrit
The Sutras teach Meditation: discourses recounted together with their particular context, i.e. the location of the teaching, who was present and who asked a question, and so on.
The Vinaya teaches Discipline: accounts of how certain rules came about by mentioning the particular context and who was involved.
The Abhidharma teaches Wisdom: arranges topics in the sutras according to their classifications and divisions.

10. The Spread of Buddhism, 500s B. C - A. D
The Spread of Buddhism, 500s B.C - A.D. 600This map shows how Buddhism spread from India throughout Asia. Buddhism began in northeastern India, the birthplace of Buddha, and from there spread along trade routes. By the first century it had reached China. From there it traveled to Korea and on to Japan around A.D Buddhism also took hold in Tibet during the 600s.

11. Maurya Empire 4th c. bce -- 2nd c. bce
Response to power-vacuum created by Alexander the Great’s conquest of northern India c. 326 bce
First emperor Chandragupta Maurya (r bce)
Asoka Maurya (r bce) conquered and ruled almost entire sub-continent: encouraged spread of Buddhism
Last Maurya emperor assassinated 184 bce
By the end of the third century BC, most of North India was knit together in the first great Indian empire by Chandragupta Maurya. His son Bindusara extended the Mauryan empire over virtually the entire subcontinent, giving rise to an imperial vision that was to dominate successive centuries of political aspirations. The greatest Mauryan emperor was Ashoka ( BC) whose successful campaigns culminated in the annexation of Kalinga (modern Orissa). Overcome by the horrors of war, he was probably the first victorious ruler to renounce war on the battlefield. Ashoka converted to Buddhism, but did not impose his faith on his subjects. Instead, he tried to convert them through edicts inscribed on rock in the local dialects, using the earliest known post-Harappan script known as Brahmi. The Mauryan economy was driven by agriculture. The State owned huge farms and these were cultivated by slaves and farm laborers. Taxes were collected on land, trade and manufacture of handicrafts were the other major sources of income during this era. Following Ashoka's death in 232 B.C., the Mauryan empire started disintegrating. This was an open invitation to invaders from Central Asia to seek their fortunes in India. This period saw the rise of several smaller kingdoms which did not last very long.
Maurya empire was the first really large and powerful centralised state in India. It was very well governed, with tempered autocracy at the top and democracy at the city and village levels. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra, had expressed his admiration for the efficient administration of the empire. His book 'Indica' is a collection of comments of other Roman & Greek travelers, and Megasthenes wrote about the prosperity of the Mauryan cities. He further reported that agriculture was healthy, water abundant and mineral wealth was in plenty. Speaking of the general prosperity, Megasthenes wrote, "the Indians, dressed in bright and rich colors, they liberally used ornaments and gems." He also spoke of the division of society according to occupation and the large number of religious sects and foreigners in the empire.
Chandragupta Maurya's son Bindusara became the new Mauryan Emperor by inheriting an empire including the Hindukush, Narmada, Vindhyas, Mysore, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Baluchistan & Afghanistan.

12. Renounced violence after the devastating battle for Kalinga in which over 100,000 were killed
Built thousands of stupas and viharas (monasteries)
Sponsored 3rd Buddhist Council in 250 bce
Declared Buddism the state religion
Sent forth monks, well versed in the Buddhist teachings, to teach in nine different countries
Asoka Maurya

13. Buddhist proselytism at the time of King Asoka (260–218 BCE)

14. The edicts describe the first wide expansion of Buddhism.
A collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka
The edicts describe the first wide expansion of Buddhism.
Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean.
The inscriptions revolve around a few themes:
Asoka's conversion to Buddhism,
his efforts to spread Buddhism,
his moral and religious precepts,
his social and animal welfare program.
The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, made by the Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty during his reign from 272 to 231 BC. These inscriptions are dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Pakistan and northern India, and represent the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail the first wide expansion of Buddhism through the sponsorship of one of the most powerful kings of Indian history. According to the edicts, the extent of Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created.

15. Pillar of Asoka at Vaishali, Bihar, India

16. Lion Capital of Ashoka preserved at Sarnath Museum
originally erected around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath.
Adopted as the National Emblem of India showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of the Ashoka Chakra in the circular base on which the four Indian lions are standing back to back.
The "Ashoka Chakra" has been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.
This is the famous original sandstone sculpted Lion Capital of Ashoka preserved at Sarnath Museum which was originally erected around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. The angle from which this picture has been taken, minus the inverted bell-shaped lotus flower, has been adopted as the National Emblem of India showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of the Ashoka Chakra in the circular base on which the four Indian lions are standing back to back. On the far side there is an Elephant and a Lion instead. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.

17. Greco-Buddhism
Syncretism of Hellenistic culture and Buddhism in areas of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan and Indian border states
Influenced the artistic expression and conceptual development of Buddhism

18. The Silk Road
In the second century bce, caravans began traveling a 4,000 mile route linking Southeast Asia with the West.
Silk carried along this route made its way to Rome
In both directions, various political, social, religious, and artistic ideas flowed.
China and the west first became aware of one another in the second century BC. Chinese traders exchanged silks, tea, furs, and spices for gold, silver, precious stones, glass, ivory, horses, and wool. The primary trade route between China and the west was the Silk Road, a 4,000- mile caravan route through South Asia and the Middle East. The Silk Road was also a route for the exchange of information and ideas. Buddhism traveled from the Indian subcontinent to China by the Silk Road.
Very few people traveled the entire legnth of the Silk Road. Goods passed from one trader to another in short segments. Trade resembled a chain, with each trader and segment of the trade route representing a link in the trade. The Silk Road was often very dangerous to travel. Muslim Turks seized much of the land along the Silk Road in the tenth century. Mongol armies used the Silk Road in the thirteenth century to expand their empire. The Silk Road lost its importance after Vaco daGama circumnavigated Africa to find a water route to India. It then became easier to travel between Europe and China by sea

19. Princes from Central Asian states in Lamentation, Dunhuang Cave 158
Princes from Central Asian states in Lamentation, Dunhuang Cave 158. This painting not only depicts their devotions to Buddha, but also accurately presents the appearances, garments and customs of different nations along the Silk Road and the history of cultural exchange between them.

20. Anthropromorphic Representations of Buddha
Before Greco-Buddhist interaction, the representations of the Buddha were “aniconic” – symbolic – Bodhi tree, footprints, prayer wheel
Greeks were first to attempt sculptural representation of the Buddha – syncretic representation: Buddha/Apollo
Stylistic characteristics:
Greco-Roman toga
Curly hair
Artistic realism
Stylistic stance
The Buddha, in Greco-Buddhist style, 1st-2nd century CE, Gandhara (Modern Pakistan).

21. Buddhist Sects
Buddhism split into two sects, Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada).
Mahayana laid stress on the concept of the Bodhisattva or `one destined to be the Buddha' and also conceived of Eternal Buddhas who resemble gods or deities.
Hinayana regarded the Buddha as a man and had a doctrine, Theravada, stressing the salvation of the individual.
The interaction of Mahayana philosophy and Hinduism gave rise to Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana.

22. Gupta Era 320 ce — 550 ce Gupta dynasty was founded by Chandra Gupta I
Development of Mahayana Buddhism
Classical Age in north India
Cave paintings at Ajanta
Shakuntala, Jataka, Panchatantra and Kamasutra were written
Aryabhatta’s Astronomy.

23. AJANTA CAVES
During the 4th century c.e. in a remote valley, work began on the Ajanta Caves to create a complex of Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls.
As centuries passed, numerous Buddhist monks and artisans dug out a set of twenty-nine caves, converting some to cells, and others to monasteries and Buddhist temples.
These caves are adorned with elaborate sculptures and paintings which have withstood the ravages of time .
Northeast of Mumbai (Bombay), near Aurangabad, are two astonishing series of temples carved out of living rock (rock formations still in progress) over the course of fourteen centuries. During the 4th century A. D. in a remote valley, work began on the Ajanta caves to create a complex of Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls. As centuries passed, numerous Buddhist monks and artisans dug out a set of twenty-nine caves, converting some to cells, and others to monasteries and Buddhist temples. All of these were carved from the rock cliff at Ajanta. These caves are adorned with elaborate sculptures and paintings which have withstood the ravages of time.

25. Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta caves depict the stories of Buddhism spanning from the period from 200 bce to 650 ce.
These 29 caves were built by Buddhist monks using simple tools like hammer & chisel.
The elaborate and exquisite sculptures and paintings depict stories from Jataka tales .
The caves also house images of nymphs and princesses.
The Ajanta caves depict the stories of Buddhism spanning from the period from 200 B.C. and 650 A.D. These caves were discovered in the 19th century by some British Officers who had been on a tiger hunt.
These 29 caves were built by Buddhist monks using simple tools like hammer & chisel. These caves were the retreats of Buddhist monks who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning. The elaborate and exquisite sculptures and paintings depict stories from Jataka tales . The caves also house images of nymphs and princesses.
Cave 1 houses some of the most well - preserved wall paintings which include two great Boddhisattvas, Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara. Caves 2 , 16 and 17 also contain amazing paintings, while Caves 1, 4, 17, 19, 24 and 26 boast of some of the most divine sculptures. The flying apsara, of Cave 17, and the image of Buddha preaching in Cave 17, are a couple of unforgettable works of art. The Ajanta caves and the treasures they house, are a landmark in the overall development of Buddhism as such.

26. Scene
From
The Jataka

28. Greco-Buddhism and Mahayana
Elevation of the Buddha to a man-god status with a pantheon of Boddhisatvas
Incorporation of Greek philosophical ideas
Stoic attitude of equanimity and dispassionate outlook – especially in Zen Buddhism
Buddhist monks from the region of Gandhara, where Greco-Buddhism was most influential, played a key role in the development and the transmission of Buddhist ideas in the direction of northern Asia

29. Blue-eyed Central Asian and East-Asian Buddhist monks, Bezaklik, Eastern Tarim Basin, China, 9th-10th century.

30. The Spread of Buddhism

31. Chinese Buddhism
Two missionaries wrote "The Sutra of forty-two sections spoken by the Buddha" to provide guidance on the ideas of Buddhism and the conduct of monks. It is the first Buddhist text in the Chinese language.
Their arrival in 67 CE marks Buddhism's official introduction in China.
The first documented translation of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese occurs in 148 CE
Mahayana Buddhism was first propagated into China by Kushan Lokaksema (active ca C.E.), the first translator of Mahayana sutras into Chinese.
These Chinese emissaries are said to have visited the country of the Yuezhi and to have brought back with them two missionaries named Dharmaraksa and Kasyapa Matanga together with sutras written with 600,000 Sanskrit words. The two missionaries wrote "The Sutra of forty-two sections spoken by the Buddha" to provide guidance on the ideas of Buddhism and the conduct of monks. It is the first Buddhist text in the Chinese language, although its authenticity is a matter of debate.
Their arrival in 67 CE marks Buddhism's official introduction in China. Historians generally agree that by the middle of the 1st century, the religion had penetrated to areas north of the Huai River. Emperor Ming's brother Liu Ying the Prince of Chu was the first high-profile believer of Buddhism, although there is some evidence that Emperor Ming himself might have been as well.
The first documented translation of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese occurs in 148 CE, with the arrival of the Parthian missionary An Shih Kao in China, probably on the heels of the Kushan expansion into the Tarim Basin. An Shi Kao established Buddhist temples in Loyang and organized the translation of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese, testifying to the beginning of a wave of Central Asian Buddhist proselytism that was to last several centuries. Traces of Buddhist iconography can also be seen in works of art from this period.
Mahayana Buddhism was first propagated into China by Kushan Lokaksema (Ch: 支谶, Zhi Chen, full name 支樓迦讖 var. 支婁迦讖 Zhi Loujiachen, active ca C.E.), the first translator of Mahayana sutras into Chinese.
By the end of the second century, a prosperous community had been settled at Pengcheng (modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu).

32. Chinese adoption of Buddhism
Many tenets of Buddhism were antithetical to Confucian philosophy with its emphasis on social responsibility – Buddhist ideals of monasticism and enlightenment contradicted Confucian ideals of family and emperor
More attuned to Taoist attitudes
Chinese Buddhism emphasized sutras that advocated filial piety and incorporated ancestor worship
The collapse of the Han Dynasty and political instability led to the spread of Buddhism
Through the actions and example of monks, Buddhists successfully laid claim to the high moral ground in society

33. Guanyin
Guanyin is the Chinese name for the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.
She is the Bodhisattva of Compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists.
Guanyin and the 1000 arms: One Buddhist legend presents Guan Yin as vowing to never rest until she had freed all sentient beings from samsara, reincarnation. Despite strenuous effort, she realized that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, she attempted to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that her two arms shattered into pieces. Amitabha came to her aid and appointed her a thousand arms with which to aid the many.

34. This wooden statue of Quan Am Nhin Mat Nhin Tay (Quan Am of 1000 Eyes and 1000 Hands) was created in Bac Ninh Province of Northern Vietnam around the year 1656 for the But Thap Pagoda.
Guanyin Dance from 2004 Special Olympics, Athens

35. Guanyin, goddess of mercy enthroned, blanc-de-Chine, with modeler’s seal of Ha Chaozong, 17th c.
Ringling Museum
Guanyin, goddess of mercy enthroned, blanc-de-Chine, with modeler’s seal of Ha Chaozong, 17th century.

36. Sakyamuni Buddha teaching. Zhang Shengwen, Yunnan, 1173-1176 AD.

37. From Korea to Japan
A Chinese monk in the 4th c. introduced Buddhism to Korea
During the sixth and seventh centuries, Korean monks went to China to study and brought back with them the teachings of the various Chinese schools of Buddhism – it flourished under royal patronage.
In the sixth century, the Koreans sent gifts of images of the Buddha and copies of Buddhist texts to the Japanese imperial court.
The Japanese people soon accommodated Buddhism along with their indigenous Shinto beliefs.
As a religion of universal appeal, Buddhism helped to foster harmony within the country.

38. Prince Shotoku Kamakura period, early 14th century Gilt bronze
Regent during reign of Empress Suiko (r )
Led Japanese court in adopting Chinese calendar and sponsoring Buddhism
Wrote the Seventeen Article Constitution, the earliest piece of Japanese writing and basis for Japanese government throughout history
Among the most important figures in Japanese history, Prince Shotoku (r ) adopted Chinese and Korean policies and doctrines for Japan, and instigated major cultural, religious, economic, and political reforms. He introduced Buddhism, a foreign religion that successfully coexisted with native Shinto beliefs. He Japanized foreign systems and beliefs, in the process clarifying a notion of Japaneseness. For this, Shotoku was venerated as a national hero during his lifetime, and deified after his death. The cult of Shotoku resulted in the proliferation of his images, which were placed in temples as well as domestic shrines.
Prince Shotoku Kamakura period, early 14th century Gilt bronze

39. Daibutu at Nara
The Daibutu, literally Large Buddha, is known by the Japanese as "Daibutu-sama" or "Daibutu-san". It sits in the Temple of Todaiji in the city of Nara. Today it is the most famous tourist spot in Nara, attracting millions of tourists from all over Japan and from abroad. It is the largest bronze casting sitting in the largest wooden structure of the world The original height of the cast bronze statue was about 16 meters, but now it is slightly shorter due to the recasting of damaged parts later. Still, it is the largest bronze casting in the world. Originally the whole statue was covered with real gold, but the covering was lost by fire in later period The construction of Daibutu in Nara is very well documented by the government and the Buddhist priests involved in the national project. According to the official record of construction, the project started in August 745 AD. Gathering of material and equipment for casting took two years. Casting on site started in 747 and continued for two years. Final casting, preparation of gold plating and finishing took eight more years.
The Daibutu, literally Large Buddha, is known by the Japanese as "Daibutu-sama" or "Daibutu-san”: the largest bronze casting in the world ad

40. Golden Kondo Hall 7th century style, rebuilt in early 8th century
Horyuji Temple
Golden Kondo Hall 7th century style, rebuilt in early 8th century
Pagoda (Stupa). Horyuji. 7th century style, rebuilt in early 8th century

41. Buddha Sculptures Nara - Temple Horyu-ji 7th c.
Nara - Temple Chugu-ji 7th c.
Buddha Sculptures

42. The Spread of Buddhism, 500s B. C - A. D
The Spread of Buddhism, 500s B.C - A.D. 600This map shows how Buddhism spread from India throughout Asia. Buddhism began in northeastern India, the birthplace of Buddha, and from there spread along trade routes. By the first century it had reached China. From there it traveled to Korea and on to Japan around A.D Buddhism also took hold in Tibet during the 600s.