Timeline of Buddhism

By atrajano
  • 490 BCE

    The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama is Born

    Siddhartha Gautama, was born in a royal family as a prince, in Northern India. His family was part of the Shakya Caste. Although he was raised in a wealthy family, he still went through human suffering.
  • 461 BCE

    Siddhartha leaves home

    At the age of 29, Siddhartha decides to leave home in search of a solution for his suffering. He realises that he is prone to disease, old age and death. For 6 years, he uses meditation and yoga to find the answers and escape the suffering.
  • 455 BCE

    Siddhartha Gautama becomes the Buddha

    Siddhartha achieves enlightenment under a ficus tree. He is then called "the Buddha", meaning the enlightened one. He realises that he will be able to free himself from suffering if he isolates himself from human motives.
  • 455 BCE

    Gautama earns his first followers

    After saying his first sermon in Sarnath, explaining the Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths and suffering, Siddhartha gains his first followers. His first disciples were, Sariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana, establishing his first monastic community.
  • 410 BCE

    Siddhartha Gautama Dies

    After 45 years of teaching, Siddhartha dies. While travelling to deliver sermon, he eats a meal and gets sick from it. Before dying, he tells his disciples to continue preaching his ways.
  • 386 BCE

    The Mahasanghika School Develops

    After a dispute arises about the monastic discipline in the Second council, Buddhism is divided into two different schools. These were the Sthaviravada line and the Mahasanghika school.
  • 261 BCE

    Buddhism becomes India's state religion

    The Emperor of India, Emperor Ashoka, declares Buddhism as India's state religion. At this time, monks are given a right in political matters, Buddhist missionaries go around Asia and Buddhism is accepted. The spread of Buddhism is heavily affected by Emperor Ashoka.
  • 100

    The Mahayana School develops

    As the two other schools of Buddhism develop, another called the Mahayana school emerges. It spreads quickly through Asia, as it is more adaptable towards different beliefs and customs.
  • 148

    Buddhism spreads in China

    An Shigao, who is a Buddhist translator, makes a center in the capital of China. The religion of Buddhism was spread in China because of the Silk Road where Mahayana Buddhists had a network.
  • 372

    Buddhism starts in Korea

    King Sosurim introduces Buddhism to Korea in 372. Although, there is evidence that Buddhism was introduced to Korea earlier.
  • 538

    Buddhism is introduced in Japan

    The leader of Korea, Baekje, introduces Buddhism to the Japanese emperor Kimmei, officially institutes Buddhism in Japan. After some arguments, the Japanese emperor accepts and after 40 years, Buddhism is declared the religion of Japan. It becomes the main part of Japanese culture.
  • Jan 1, 617

    Buddhism is established in Tibet

    Although Buddhist missionaries and merchants have been talking to Tibetans way earlier, the religion was officially introduced by the emperor, Songtsen gampo.
  • Jan 1, 794

    Indian Buddhism is followed by Tibetans

    It has been debated by the Tibetans whether to follow Chinese or Indian Buddhism. It was finally decided that they would follow the Indian Buddhists.
  • Jan 1, 1253

    Buddhism is established in the West

    William of Rubruck spread Buddhism to the westerners in his journeys.

  • Tibetan Buddhism interest in the West increases

    The Dalai Lama escapes Tibet and increases the western interest in Tibetan Buddhism.