Buddhism in Ancient India

Buddhism originated in ancient India, including parts of modern-day Nepal, in the 6th or 5th century B.C.E.
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, in the Himalayan foothills, as a prince and later renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment.
Siddhartha's realization of the inevitability of suffering in life led him to believe that earthly pleasures fade away, prompting him to live in a forest and eventually meditate under a bodhi tree for 7 weeks to obtain enlightenment.
Siddhartha was later named "Buddha," meaning "enlightened one," and went on to teach others about his discoveries.

The Four Noble Truths outline Buddha's beliefs on what causes and what can end human suffering.
The Eight-Fold Path and the Middle Way relate to living a balanced life to achieve enlightenment.
Buddhist teachings revolve around the steps and lifestyle needed to reach enlightenment, a state of peace and connection with the universe.

Most Buddhists do not believe in a deity, viewing Buddha as a spiritual teacher rather than a god.
Buddhists believe in meditation to help reach nirvana, a state achieved through enlightenment that brings an end to suffering.
Nirvana is related to the belief in reincarnation, with the goal of breaking the cycle of death and rebirth.
Buddhists also believe in karma, the spiritual version of cause and effect.

There are two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana, with multiple subsets and localized variations.
Theravada Buddhism focuses on self-liberation from suffering and is most dominant in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Burma, and Laos.
Mahayana Buddhism is more ritualistic, focuses on helping others, and is dominant in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore.

After Buddha's time, his followers, including monks and nuns, were responsible for spreading his messages.
Ashoka the Great, a Mauryan Indian ruler, converted to Buddhism and spread it throughout India and other countries in the 3rd century B.C.E.
Emperor Kanishka and Kublai Khan also played significant roles in the spread of Buddhism throughout their kingdoms.

The purpose of spreading Buddhism was to help alleviate the suffering of others and promote peace and enlightenment.
The appeal of Buddhism was great, as it promised an end to suffering and a path to peace and eventual enlightenment.

The Buddha first spread his teachings along the border regions of India and Nepal, and others continued his teachings after his death.
Monks and nuns set up villages and traveled to spread teachings throughout India and beyond, using the Silk Road to spread to Central Asia and other regions.

Buddhism began in India and Nepal and spread to Ceylon, Burma, Tibet, Japan, China, Central Asia, and beyond.
Buddhism was fairly easily accepted in these countries due to cultural and philosophical similarities.

Buddhist philosophies reached a large region of the world as a religion, while Buddhist teachings and practices, such as meditation and contemplation, have spread even to people who do not identify as Buddhist.