Buddhism is a non-theistic religion (no belief in a creator god), also considered a philosophy and a moral discipline, originating in the region of modern-day India in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. It was founded by the sage Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE) who, according to legend, had been a Hindu prince.
More about: Buddhism7 days left
Invest in History Education
By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.
$3583 / $10000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 563 BCE - c. 483 BCEGenerally accepted dates of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, by scholars.
-
c. 400 BCEFirst Buddhist Council at Rajgir, Bihar, India; teachings and monastic discipline agreed to and codified.
-
383 BCESecond Buddhist Council at which the Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika schools separate over differences in monastic discipline; the first schism in Buddhism.
-
c. 200 BCE - c. 600 CEConstruction of the 30 Buddhist cave-shrines at Ajanta, many of which display features of Gupta architecture.
-
c. 100 BCEBuddhist sutras began to be written down in Pali.
-
c. 75 CE - c. 450 CEKushan rule in the Gandhara region, arguably the golden era of the Gandhara civilization in which art, architecture and the propagation of the Buddhist religion excelled.
-
148 CEAn Shigao is the first Buddhist translator mentioned in Chinese sources who established a translation centre in the Chinese imperial capital, Luoyang.
-
c. 200 CEThe Buddhist Lotus Sutra is written down in Pali language.
-
c. 200 CE - c. 400 CEThe Buddhist Nirvana Sutra is written down in Pali language.
-
c. 200 CEDhammapada is translated to Chinese and other Asian languages.
-
372 CEA Confucian Academy is established in the Goguryeo kingdom of northern Korea and Buddism is adopted as the state religion.
-
384 CEBuddhism is adopted as the state religion by the Baekje kingdom of western Korea.
-
c. 450 CEBuddhist scholar Buddhaghosa writes his commentary on Dhammapada.
-
538 CEAlternative date to 552 CE for the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from Korea.
-
552 CETraditional date for the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from Korea.
-
7 Feb 573 CE - 8 Apr 622 CEPrince Shotoku was the founder of Japanese Buddhism and of the Japanese nation. He is famous for his 17-article constitution, the first Buddhist constitution ever to be created.
-
593 CEThe Shitennoji Buddhist temple is built in Japan.
-
596 CEThe Hokoji Buddhist temple is built in Japan.
-
607 CEThe Horyuji Buddhist temple is built in Nara, Japan during the reign of Regent Prince Shotoku.
-
617 CE - 686 CELife of the Korean Buddhist philosopher Wonhyo.
-
710 CEThe Buddhist Kofukuji temple is established at Nara, main temple of the Japanese Fujiwara clan.
-
751 CE - 790 CEThe Buddhist Bulguksa temple complex is built east of Gyeongju, Korea.
-
751 CE - 774 CEThe Buddhist cave temple at Seokguram (Sokkuram) east of Gyeongju, Korea is built.
-
752 CEThe Buddhist Todaiji temple is founded at Nara, Japan.
-
767 CE - 822 CELife of Saicho, founder of Tendai Buddhism in Japan.
-
771 CEThe large bronze bell at the Buddhist shrine at Bongdeoksa, Korea, also known as the Emille Bell, is cast.
-
774 CE - 835 CELife of the monk Kukai (aka Kobo Daishi), founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.
-
c. 793 CE - 864 CELife of Ennin, the Buddhist scholar-monk and abbot of Enryakuji, who brought many esoteric teachings from China to Japan.n
-
796 CEThe Buddhist To-ji temple near Heiankyo (Kyoto), Japan is founded.
-
819 CEKukai (Kobo Daishi) establishes a monastery and headquarters for Shingon Buddhism on Mount Koya in Japan.
-
838 CE - 847 CEJapanese Tendai Buddhist monk Ennin studies esoteric Buddhism in China.
-
842 CE - 845 CEThe Chinese state persecutes Buddhist monks and their monasteries.
-
849 CEEnnin leads the first imperial-sponsored esoteric ritual at Enryakuji, Japan.
-
874 CEThe Buddhist Daigoji temple is founded by Shobo at Heiankyo (Kyoto).
-
1164 CEThe Buddhist Sanjusangendo temple is founded at Heiankyo (Kyoto), Japan.
-
1855 CEFirst Latin translation of the Dhammapada.
