Physical Map: India

Political Map: India

Religion in the Subcontinent

Spread of Buddhism

Types of Buddhism Therevada Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism Vajrayana Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism (traditional Buddhism). The monastic life (being a monk) is the best way to achieve nirvana. Focus on wisdom and meditation. Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Theravada Buddhist monk, Angkor, Cambodia, seated in front of 11th Century temple

Mahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle.” Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, enlightened beings. Focus on compassion Statues are worshipped and stupas containing relics are visited on pilgrimages

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c Bhutan

Chion-in Temple, Japan, was built in 1234 CE to honor the founder of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism.

Vajrayana Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle,” Tibetan Buddhism Developed in Tibet, 7th C CE. Boddhisatva teachers called Lamas, including the Dalai Lama.

Tibetan Buddhist Monks

Buddhism’s Spread

Borobudur, Indonesia In the 19th century, Dutch occupiers of Indonesia found a massive ancient ruin deep in the jungles of Java.What they discovered was the complex of Borobudur,a gigantic structure built with nearly 2 million cubic feet (55,000 m³) of stones.The temple has nearly 2,700 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Buddhist Stupa

Boddhisatva

Religions of South Asia

Buddhism in the world

Distribution of Buddhism Centers in the US, 2001

Theravada Buddhism

10th Annual western buddhist monastic conference California, 2004