Buddhism was born in northern India/Nepal in the 6th century BC, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who attained enlightenment (became Buddha) after abandoning palace life in search of an end to suffering. Buddhism focuses on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to attain Nirvana.
The Long History of Buddhism:
Birth and Enlightenment:
Siddhartha Gautama (563-486 BC), son of King Suddhodana of the Kosala Kingdom, recognized the existence of suffering (old age, illness, death) and decided to meditate until he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree.
Initial Spread:
Buddhism spread rapidly across Asia because it emphasized equality and challenged the Hindu caste system.
The Golden Age of King Ashoka:
In the 3rd century BC (273-232 BC), King Ashoka of India made Buddhism the official state religion, built numerous stupas, and spread his mission beyond India.
Schisis:
About 100 years after the Buddha's death, the religion split into two major schools due to differing interpretations: Theravada (Hinayana), which emphasized self-liberation, and Mahayana, which was more open to the liberation of all beings.
Spread to Asia: Buddhism spread to Central Asia, East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), and Southeast Asia, adapting to local cultures.
History of Buddhism in Indonesia
Entry:
Buddhism entered Indonesia around the 2nd or 5th century AD via sea trade routes from India, as evidenced by the records of the monk Fa-Hien.
The Srivijaya Kingdom:
Became the largest center of Buddhist learning in Southeast Asia from the 7th to 13th centuries, with even foreign monks studying there.
The Ancient Mataram Kingdom:
The Syailendra Dynasty built Borobudur Temple in the 8th/9th century as a major spiritual monument.
Modern Revival:
In the 1950s, Venerable Ashin Jinarakkhita spearheaded the revival of Buddhism in Indonesia (the Supreme Sangha of Indonesia).
Scriptures and Teachings:
Tripitaka:
The main scriptures, divided into the Sutta-Pitaka (discourses), Vinaya-Pitaka (monk's rules), and Abhidhamma-Pitaka (philosophy). Core Teachings: Avoiding suffering (dukkha) and relinquishing desire/craving through the practice of morality, meditation, and wisdom.
International Spread:
East Asia:
Introduced into China around the 1st century CE, then to Japan and Korea.
Southeast Asia:
Spread to Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Indonesia:
Introduced around the 2nd century CE through traders, reaching its peak during the Srivijaya (center of Buddhist studies) and Ancient Mataram (construction of Borobudur Temple).
Current Status:
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions and has hundreds of millions of adherents worldwide.
Buddhism developed by absorbing local cultural elements in various regions, resulting in a diversity of traditions, but still adhering to the basic teachings of the Tripitaka.
Based on international academic perspectives (universities and Western historical sources), the history of Buddhism is rooted in the life of Siddhartha Gautama in North India (now Nepal) around the 6th to 5th century BC. This teaching developed in response to the socio-religious conditions in India at that time and spread widely to become one of the most influential world religions.
Early Development and Spread
(3rd Century BCE - 1st Century CE)
The Role of King Ashoka:
Buddhism spread significantly during the reign of King Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire (3rd century BCE). Ashoka spread Buddhism beyond India to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and the Hellenistic world.
Initial Schism:
After the Buddha's death (Mahaparinirvana), disagreements within the Sangha (community of monks) led to a split into the early schools, which later evolved into Theravada and Mahayana.
Silk Road:
Buddhism spread northwestward (Pakistan, Afghanistan) and then to China, Korea, and Japan via the Silk Road.
Two Major Traditions Theravada ("Teaching of the Elders"): Developed primarily in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Focuses on the Pali texts (Tipitaka) and individual enlightenment.
Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle"): Developed primarily in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet. Emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal—postponing personal Nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.
Academic Development
(Critical Review)
Timeline:
Buddhism emerged during the intellectual renaissance of India, coinciding with the writing of the Upanishads and the rejection of Vedic sacrifices.
Nalanda Mahavihara:
The world's first Buddhist university, founded in the 5th century CE in Bihar, India, became an important center of learning, attracting students from across Asia.
Oldest Texts:
Western studies often refer to the Pali Canon as the oldest surviving manuscripts.
Buddhism in the West Entry to the West: First contact is often associated with Alexander the Great's conquest of India, which gave rise to the Indo-Greek (Bactrian) culture.
Modernization:
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Buddhism began to be systematically studied in European and American universities, often focusing on its philosophical, psychological, and meditative aspects.
In short, international academics see Buddhism not only as a religion, but also as a universal ethical philosophy, which adapted to local cultures as it spread from India throughout Asia and now throughout the world.
Buddhism, one of the major world religions, began in India around the sixth century, B.C.E. The teachings of Buddhism spread throughout Central and Southeast Asia, through China, Korea, and Japan. Today, there are Buddhists all over the world.
The Legend of Shakyamuni
According to Buddhist tradition, Shakyamuni (a name meaning "Sage of the Shakya Clan") is the founder of Buddhism (he is also sometimes referred to as "Siddhartha Gautama"). Shakyamuni was born around 490 B.C.E. to a royal family who lived in a palace in the foothills of the Himalayas. From the moment he was born, Shakyamuni did not lead a typical life. For example, legend states that Shakyamuni was born from his mother's hip while she remained standing in a grove of trees. In his youth, Shakyamuni's father provided him with everything he wanted and encouraged him to excel in his studies. However, he would not permit Shakyamuni to leave the palace grounds. Shakyamuni grew up with many luxuries and married a beautiful princess, but he still was not happy. He longed to see what was beyond the palace gates, thinking that a clue to his search for the meaning of life lay beyond the safety and luxury of the palace.
(according to official articles or journals of Stanford University)
Historical evidence indicates that individuals in antiquity lived in accordance with and had beliefs about natural objects. Chals Eliot asserts that those who venerated natural items predated the advent of Buddhism and the belief in sacred artifacts introduced from Cambodia. In Thailand, it is said that Ven. Sona Ana and Ven. Uttara, dispatched by Emperor Ashoka to Suwarnabhumi (Buruma), established Buddhism. The consensus among historians is that the Thai people originated in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. Individuals who settled in Northern Thailand during the fifth century are believed to have established a monarchy in the thirteenth century, showcasing a fusion of Chinese and Indian traditions. Historically, from the early 17th century, traders from Western nations started their arrival in Thailand. King Mongkut (A.D. 1851–1868) permitted foreign trade and prohibited the slave trade and servitude, resulting in the formation of a new social hierarchy in Thailand.
Subsequent to the 1932 revolution, Thailand was designated as a buffer state between France and England, governed by a constitutional framework. Subsequently, it seems that all individuals aged 20 and above were conferred the right to vote. According to the constitution established in 1932 by King Prajadhipok, all Thai monarchs are required to be Buddhists, and non-Brahmins are prohibited from governing the kingdom. Only Buddhists may govern the Thai country. Buddhism is currently designated as the national religion of Thailand. After the assassination of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946, his brother Pramoj, often referred to as Bhumibol, ascended to power. In 1963, General Thanom Kitti Kachorn assumed control following two military regimes. The universal franchise was established in 1969 by the individual who reinstated the parliamentary state system.
In order to defend the nation against foreign invaders, he established an agreement with the United Kingdom. A South Asian group called "SEATO" granted him membership. It's approved. The population, which was 35,448,000 in 1970, has now dropped to about 46,540,000.
(according to the official article or journal of RSIS International)