Religion: Buddhism
Buddhism began as a rebellious offspring of Hinduism in India, “Hindu Protestantism”, if you will. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE), later named Buddha (the “enlightened one” or the “awakened one”) advocated for a more personal and egalitarian approach to religion that would make it more accessible to the average person.
As Buddhism spread throughout Asia, it took on slightly varied forms in each country, with each location adapting it to its own culture.
In the 3rd century BCE, the Mauryan Empire ruler, Ashoka, embraced Buddhism, not only making it the state religion throughout most of the Indian subcontinent, but also sending peaceful missions to rulers throughout Central and South Asia to educate them on the Buddhist philosophy. From Ashoka’s early sponsorship, Buddhism successfully spread throughout Asia (despite, ironically, its eventual disappearance on the Indian subcontinent), taking on slightly varied forms in each country, with each location adapting it to its own culture and modifying its artistic and architectural forms to suit local requirements.
How to Use This Travel Guide
Our Approach Guide to Religion: Buddhism provides a comprehensive background on the history of the Buddhist religion. In our review, we touch on the central tenets of the faith (particularly those it shares with it’s progenitor, Hinduism), the differing beliefs of its two schools (Theravada and Mahayana), the faith’s geographical dispersion, and the most important Buddhist figures and symbols.
This guide gives travelers a deep appreciation of this religion’s rich cultural legacy and a greater understanding of Buddhist cultural sites throughout Asia. For a complete understanding of Buddhism’s influence on art and architecture, pair this guide with our travel guide to Buddhist Art & Architecture.
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This guide is relevant to Buddhist sites throughout the world and will assist in understanding other Approach Guides.
Travel Guidebooks to India
Ancient Buddhist Caves of China & India
The Stupa Form’s Transformation Over Time
Travel Guidebooks to China
Ancient Buddhist Caves of China & India
Wooden Temples of China & Japan
The Stupa Form’s Transformation Over Time
Travel Guidebooks to Southeast Asia
Cambodia: The Temples of Angkor
The Stupa Form’s Transformation Over Time
All Approach Guides are offered as PDF files that can be downloaded and printed immediately after purchase.
Buddha Eye, Yingxian Pagoda, China