The Flow of Buddhism and Its Connection to Global Religious History
The Three Branches of Buddhism: Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna
Buddhism is traditionally divided into three major branches: Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. This categorization reflects not only doctrinal distinctions but also historical, geographical, and cultural developments.
In the 4th century BCE, the Maurya Empire rose in India, intertwining Buddhism with political power. Emperor Ashoka, the third ruler of the dynasty, was initially known for his bloody conquests. However, overwhelmed with remorse, he later declared Buddhism the state religion. Under his leadership, Buddhism spread widely to neighboring countries. The version propagated during his reign emphasized personal liberation and is known today as Theravāda Buddhism. This is why many Southeast Asian countries continue to follow Theravāda traditions.
The Emergence of Mahāyāna Buddhism and Its Spread to East Asia
Unlike Theravāda, which focused on individual salvation, Mahāyāna Buddhism emphasized the liberation of all sentient beings. This broader, more inclusive philosophy found resonance in China, Korea, and Japan, becoming a central pillar of East Asian religious and cultural identity.
Tibetan Vajrayāna Buddhism and Cultural Integration
During the Tang dynasty in China, Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo solidified diplomatic ties with China by marrying Princess Wencheng, the niece of Emperor Taizong. Through this union, Chinese Buddhism entered Tibet. There, it fused with indigenous spiritual traditions, giving birth to Vajrayāna Buddhism, also known as Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism.
Vajrayāna later spread into the Mongol Empire and gained a significant following across northern Eurasia, where it remains a major religious tradition today.
The Decline of Buddhism in India and the Rise of Hinduism
Paradoxically, although India was the birthplace of Buddhism, the religion gradually declined there. Following the fall of the Kushan Empire, the Gupta dynasty rose to power and sought to revive India’s ancient Brahmanical traditions. Viewing Mahāyāna Buddhism as a foreign influence introduced by outsiders, the Guptas institutionalized Hinduism based on the caste system derived from Brahmanism.
While Hinduism accepted the hierarchy of the caste system, Buddhism emphasized equality for all. However, without political backing, Buddhism steadily lost influence. This historical context explains why Buddhism remains a minority religion in modern India.
Buddhism’s Expansion and Its Interaction with Other Faiths
As Buddhism traveled through Central Asia, China, and Tibet, it encountered and absorbed local beliefs. In Japan, Mahāyāna Buddhism merged with Shinto practices. In Tibet, it blended with shamanistic elements to form Vajrayāna, and in China, it interacted extensively with Daoism.
Other Indian religions such as Jainism, Hinduism, and Sikhism also evolved under the influence of ancient Brahmanical systems. Moreover, interactions—both direct and indirect—with West Asian religions like Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam created a rich tapestry of shared philosophical elements and theological exchanges.
Religious Expansion and Historical Turning Points
Just as Buddhism’s dissemination was closely tied to the rise and fall of empires and the migration of peoples, other major religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam were similarly shaped by historical events. For instance, Judaism absorbed elements of Zoroastrianism during the Babylonian exile. Christianity expanded after being officially recognized by the Roman Empire. Islam, which emerged later, integrated ideas from both Arian Christianity and Zoroastrian teachings, enabling it to spread swiftly and flexibly.
Contemporary religious conflicts must also be understood in this historical light. The Sunni-Shia divide, the Jewish diaspora, the Holocaust, and the global influence of Ashkenazi Jews all stem from deep historical and sociopolitical roots.
In Conclusion: Wealth, Power, and Religion
The Buddhist principle of “non-possession” starkly contrasts with the accumulation-driven ethos of capitalism. Modern society often places excessive value on wealth, which has led to critiques such as the term "vulgar capitalism." Religion, in this context, offers a framework for introspection and ethical reflection in an age of material excess.
Ultimately, tracing the paths of Buddhism’s spread and placing them within the broader narrative of global religious history reveals that religion is not merely about faith. It is a complex social phenomenon intertwined with politics, economics, ethnicity, and philosophy.
