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560-480
BCE:
Life of the Buddha Shakyamuni, the Prince Siddhartha Gautama
479 BCE:
1st Buddhist Council held in Rajagriha. Ananda recited the sutras
while Upali recounted the Buddha’s advise concerning the monastic code.
380 BCE:
2nd Buddhist Council is held at Vaisali and a division occurs due to the
ambiguity and dogmatism of the monastic code. The Mahasanghika group opposed
the dogmatism while the Theras encouraged complete compliance to all the
rules in the monastic code.
297 BCE:
King Asoka (274-236 BC) founded the Maurya Empire and converted to Buddhism
after a bloody war. Buddhism became the state religion and government
funded social projects.
247 BCE:
3rd Buddhist Council held at Patna. The Pali Canon was established.
King Asoka sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, Kashmir, Northern
and Southern India, the Himalayas, Burma, Afghanistan and Egypt.
236 BCE:
Persecution of Buddhism under Pusyamitra Sunga, after Asoka’s death.
200 BCE:
After Buddhism’s introduction into Central Asia, the Kustana area becomes
a flourishing center until the Muslim invasions centuries later.
2nd Century
BCE:
King Milinda of Afghanistan asked his questions to the monk Nagasena in
a recorded dialogue.
1st to
2nd Century CE:
The Gandhara Era in Afghanistan and Pakistan, known for its rich culture
and art, flourishes. Missionaries were sent to China and magnificent
structures built, including Buddha statues which reflected Greek influence
and the Peshawar Pagoda.
2nd Century CE:
4th Buddhist Council in India under King Kaniska of Kashmir in which the
doctrines of the Bodhisattva or Mahayana vehicle were preserved
Birth of the Master Nagarjuna. He became the revealer of the Avatamsaka
and Prajna Paramita Sutras, which focused on supreme wisdom and emptiness.
He also was a patriarch of nearly all of Mahayana Buddhism. His
lifespan lasted hundreds of years.
Asvaghosa propagates Mahayana Buddhism and writes numerous commentaries,
poems and dramas.
4th Century
CE:
Vasubandhu and Asanga developed the Mind-Only School (Cittamatrin or Yogacara)
in Northern India based on the teachings and visions from the Bodhisattva
Maitreya
Co-existence of Buddhism and Hinduism exist in Nepal.
5th Century CE:
Nalanda Monastery and University founded by King Kumaragupta
6th Century
CE:
Central Asian barbarians invade Kashmir and persecute monks. Arya
Simha, a great master of meditation, is beheaded by the King Dammira.
Instead of blood, white milk poured from the master’s neck.
7th and
8th Century CE:
In Kashmir, Buddhism is restored and Vajrayana Buddhism prevails.
Shantideva, a famed master of the Middle Way School from Nalanda Monastery,
composed many works concerning the path to enlightenment.
11th Century CE:
Naropa leaves Nalanda Monastery and attains realization under the Mahasiddha
Tilopa.
11-13th Centuries CE:
Islamic Invaders storm the Indian sub-continent causing the decline of
Buddhism in Northern India. The sacking of Nalanda university occurred
in 1197, and Vikramasila University was destroyed in 1203 by the Muslims.
15th Century
CE:
Final decline of Buddhism in Southern India, due to Hinduism. The
Buddha is declared to be an incarnation of either Shiva or Vishnu by the
Hindus and Buddhism is considered to be a branch of the overall Hindu
religion.
20th Century
CE:
Dr. Ambedkar led a movement to convert Indians to Theravadin Buddhism
and also for the preservation of Buddhist Holy Sites in India
1956 CE:
The Jayanti or 2500th anniversary of the Buddha is celebrated
1959 CE:
The Dalai Lama is exiled in India. Over 100,000 Tibetans follow including
the 41st Sakya Trizin, 16th Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom
Rinpoche.
Late 20th
Century CE:
Gradually, most Tibetan Lamas re-established their monastic seats in India,
Nepal, Sikkim or Bhutan. Hundreds of major and minor temples, along
with Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, universities, institutions, foundations
and settlements are founded throughout the Indian sub-continent.
2000 CE:
The 17th Karmapa is exiled in India and given refugee status the following
year.
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