The Spread of

Buddhism

Buddhism was founded by Prince Siddhartha in India and later began to

spread across the world. Siddharthas objective was to reach nirvana or enlightenment.
As Buddhism began to spread it welcomed and embraced all people regardless of their
caste (this is what made Buddhism differ from Hinduism). As Buddhism spread
throughout Asia the Buddhist methods adapted to the cultures it reached. For example,
Buddhism was spread in a peaceful way, it was used as a way to share knowledge.
Shakyamuni Buddha was a teacher who traveled to share his knowledge with others, he
also told his monks to do the same. As they traveled they did not ask people to give up
their religion, they wanted to help people find happiness and help end their suffering.
This is how Buddhism spread, they provided new languages, institutions as well as
cultural support. Buddhism was a way of life and became a new social identity for
people. As Buddhism continued to spread people were not forced to change their
religion and adapt to Buddhism, they were given opportunities to choose for themselves.
Buddhism teachings were made available for people to choose in a low-pressure
environment. This is how Buddhism spread, by sharing knowledge and not pressuring
people to abandon their religion but by making it accessible to them.
The spread of Buddhism began with what is now known as one of the main
branches of Buddhism, the Theravada tradition spread from India to Sri Lanka and Burma
during the third century B.C.E. In the first century C.E., the Mahayana, which later
became the leading form of Buddhism spread to China and most of central Asia along
the Silk Route. From China the Chinese form of Mahayana spread later to Korea during

the fourth century C.E. and Japan in the sixth century C.E. Later around the eight
century C.E. the Mahayana form of Buddhism spread to the Tibet region.
As time progressed, Buddhism changed in the countries it had spread to
throughout Asia. India saw the rise of Hinduism as well as the growth of Muslims to the
point of Buddhism disappearing all together. In China, Mahayana Buddhism grew to the
point it eventually surpassed Indias Buddhist population. As time passed, Chinese
Buddhism traveled to Korea, Japan and eventually Tibet but in each region it took on its
on characteristic form. Eventually, Buddhism made its was and held a strong position in
the West.