BUDDHISM: INDIA AND BEYOND
ABSTRACT
This lecture discusses Buddhism and its associated architecture, the stupa (Saanchi) and the rock-cut temple (Elora). It also discusses the development of the Buddha figural tradition as Buddhism expanded into central Asia and northern China.

KEY PEOPLES AND EMPIRES
•	Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama) (ca. 563 BCE to 483 BCE,)
•	Confucius (551 BCE – 479 BCE)
•	Socrates (ca. 469 BCE – 399 BCE) 
•	Ashoka (ca. 304–232 BC) {Mauryan Empire}
•	First Emperor (Qin Shi Huang)
•	Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE
•	Alexander the Great (356 – 323 BCE)
•	The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom (250 to 125 BC. )
•	The Seleucid Empire (305 – ca. 200 BCE)
•	Kushan Empire (30 CE – 250 CE)

KEY CONCEPTS
•	Stupa
•	Aobao
•	chaitya-grihas
•	Parikrama
•	Rock-Cut architecture
•	Toda Shrine House Dairy
•	Hellenism
•	Ta (called colloquially as ‘pagoda’)

KEY PLACES
•	The Great Stupa of Sanchi  (ca. 250 BCE)
•	Kanheri and Mahakali Caves
•	Buddhas of Bamiyan (ca. 500 CE)
•	Taklamakan Desert
•	Mu’Ta: China, 1056

NOTES ON SELECT TERMS
Buddhism
- Unlike previous religions it was not just for elites, but potentially for anyone
- It did not organize society by means of power or economy but by the concept of inner Enlightenment 
achieved through meditation
- State Religion of the Mauryan Empire of Asoka 260 BCE to about 200 CE. Phased out by Hinduism

Theravada School of Buddhism emphasizes personal liberation in contrast to the collective liberation of the Mahayana (lit. = Greater Vehicle). One must be a mendicant monk. The Theravada school is based on the teachings of its founder, the Historical Buddha who lived in India from around 560 to 480 BC.  They follow the Four Noble Truths (1) life is suffering; (2) suffering has cause; (3) eliminate cause and thereby eliminate suffering; (4) learn and pursue the proper path to alleviate suffering (i.e., the Eightfold Path).

Mahayana School of Buddhism, also called the "Greater Vehicle,” rose to prominence in India in the first century AD, splitting from the Theravada school. In contrast to Theravada Buddhism (with its emphasis on monastic life), the Mahayana school promises salvation to all who sincerely seek it -- monk and laity alike. To bring salvation to the masses, the Mahayana school posits the existence of numerous Bodhisattva, the “compassionate ones,” who act as universal saviors of the common people.

Alexander III of Macedon (356 – 323 BCE)
After Alexander, from about  320 to about 200 CE we see another influence, in Central Asia, namely from the Greeks. This period is known as Hellenism. It exported Greek culture and language to these new realms, and also brought Greek colonists themselves to remote places. Equally, however, these new kingdoms were influenced by local cultures, adopting local practices where beneficial, necessary or convenient. Hellenistic culture thus represents a fusion of the Ancient Greek world with that of the Near East, Middle East and Southwest Asia.