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Buddhism Timeline - History of Buddha
Size: 238.1 kB - File type: JPEG imageTHE HISTORICAL BUDDHA = SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA (born ca. 448 - died 368?): prince of the Sakya-clan (Kosala)
The dating of the historical BUDDHA is still subject to scientific discussion. There are two main traditions. According to the southern tradition Buddha died in 486, the northern tradition says 386 or 368. All sources agree that the Buddha died at the age of 80. Today scientists are inclined to accept the northern tradition, bringing the date to c450-370. c480-400 is also being suggested by modern researchers. It is almost certain that Mahavira, considered to be the founder of Jainism, and Buddha were contemporaries. Our knowledge of Buddhism is mainly based upon the collection of Buddhist writings. The oldest part of these writings consists of statements made by the historical Buddha that have been passed down by his disciples, and of the monastic rules for monks and nuns. After having been handed down orally at first, the teachings have been written down only in a later stage. This implies, that none of Buddha’s teachings have been saved in their original language (Ardhamagadhi). From the north of India, the doctrine spread in two directions. Hence we distinguish the southern and the northern tradition. To the south, Buddhism spread over the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia; the northern direction brought Buddhism to East-Asia via Central-Asia. This dissemination of the teachings entailed – along with local cultural influences – that Buddha’s words were interpreted in different ways, and the monastic rules applied in different manners. This led to different schools of Buddhism. Different doctrinary interpretations then also resulted in a multitude of schools, sub-schools and sects.
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Last modified
2006-12-30
