Buddhism in India

2026-01-10

Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) in the 6th century BCE, is a non-theistic philosophy focusing on the alleviation of suffering (Dukkha) and the attainment of Nirvana.

Core Teachings

  • Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering; Suffering has a cause (desire); Cessation of suffering is possible; The path to cessation is the Eightfold Path.
  • Eightfold Path: Right View, Resolve, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Samadhi.

Timeline

  • c. 563 BCE: Birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini.
  • c. 528 BCE: Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
  • c. 483 BCE: Mahaparinirvana (Death) at Kushinagar; First Buddhist Council.
  • c. 383 BCE: Second Buddhist Council.
  • c. 250 BCE: Third Buddhist Council under Ashoka; missionaries sent abroad.
  • c. 72 CE: Fourth Buddhist Council; Split into Hinayana and Mahayana.