Origins & Founders
Unlike many major world religions, this ancient tradition developed over time through a collection of beliefs and has no single founder.
What is Hinduism?
In Hinduism, this ultimate spiritual goal represents release from the cycle of death and rebirth to achieve ultimate peace.
What is Moksha?
Buddhism uses the Eightfold Path as a practical guide to end desire, which is symbolized by this wheel-shaped emblem.
What is the Dharmachakra?
Born a sheltered Kshatriya prince at Lumbini in modern-day Nepal, this individual left his wealth behind to search for a cure to human suffering.
Who is Siddhartha Gautama (or the Buddha)?
In Buddhism, this state of release from selfishness, desire, and pain ends the cycle of reincarnation.
What is Nirvana?
Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism explicitly rejects these two major social and spiritual structures.
What are the caste system and deities (or creator god)?
This 1500 B.C.E. migration theory suggests that nomadic herders moved through the Khyber Pass into India, bringing traditions that blended with indigenous Indian culture.
What is the Indo-Aryan migration?
Meaning "duty," this Hindu concept requires individuals to fulfill their obligations based on their placement in the caste system.
What is Dharma?
This Mauryan emperor dedicated his life to non-violence and Buddhism following the brutal loss of life at the Battle of Kalinga.
Who is Ashoka?
Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and became known as the "Buddha" after sitting in meditation under a tree for this many days.
What is 49 days?
While Hinduism relies on the sacred texts known as the Vedas and Upanishads, Buddhism's main holy text consists of the Buddha's teachings known as this.
What is the Tripitaka?
To spread the Buddha’s message and principles along roadways, Emperor Ashoka commissioned these massive, 40-foot-high monuments throughout his kingdom.
What are the Ashoka Pillars?
These ancient princes or chieftains ruled early Indo-Aryan kingdoms and frequently fought one another for territory and captives.
Who are Rajas?
The first of Buddhism's Four Noble Truths states that life is full of suffering, while the second truth attributes this suffering directly to this cause.
What is desire?
Emperor Ashoka expanded Buddhism beyond India by sending missionaries—including his own son and daughter—to this island nation south of India.
What is Sri Lanka?