Universal Religions; Buddhism
I. Universal Religions
II. Buddhism Transforms into Universal Religion
IDs: Gupta Empire, 320-550, bodhisattva,
Xuanzang
Argument
The universal religions (Christianity, Buddhism &
Islam) are very similar in orientation and
development, even though they are more
opposed to each other than tribal religions
are.
I. Universal Religions
Christianity
Buddhism
Islam
A. Characteristics
Drop local practices to appeal to universal
audience
Conversion
Afterlife
B. Develop from Parent Religions
1. Christianity
(from
Judaism)
2. Buddhism
(from Vedic
religion/
Hinduism)
3. Islam (from
Christianity &
Judaism)
C. Tools for Spreading
1. Conversion
2. Missionaries
3. Texts
D. Spread within/by empires
Also potential
rival to state
power
E. Spread along trade routes
F. Effects on parent religion
Judaism
Diaspora
Rabbis
texts
II. Buddhism Transforms into Universal
Religion
A. Hinduism &
Buddhism in the
Gupta Empire
(320-550)
“Indian” culture
B. Hinduism absorbs Buddhism
Buddha as avatar of Vishnu
Buddhism
disappears
in India
Laws of
Manu, caste,
& Hindu
personal
gods change
Hinduism
C. Early Buddhism in India (6th c. BCE – 2nd
c. BCE)
Siddhartha Gautama
(c. 563 – 483 BCE)
the Buddha (the
Enlightened One)
Nirvana
Sangha
Later called Hinayana
or Theravada
Buddhism
(Lesser Vehicle)
D. Spread of Buddhism outside of India
1. To Central
Asia
Maurya Empire
– Asoka
(268-231
BCE)
Kushan Empire,
ca. 200 CE
Buddhism changed in Cultural Mix of
Central Asia
bodhisattvas
Buddha as a god
Mahayana Buddhism
“Greater Vehicle”
2. Spread of Buddhism to China along Silk
Road
D. How Buddhism Spread
1. Trade & Missionaries on the Silk
Road (5th-7th c. CE)
Cave
monasteries
& statues
along Silk
Road
2. Pilgrims, Missionaries & Texts
Xuanzang
• Chinese Buddhist
pilgrim to India, 643
CE
• 527 boxes of
Buddhist scriptures
• Translate into
Chinese
3. Chinese Adaptations
Nirvana becomes
an afterlife
“heaven”
Amitabha Sutra
(Sutra of the
Pureland)
bodhisattva