Buddhism spread across Asia through networks of overland and maritime routes between India, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and China. The transmission of Buddhism to Central Asia and China corresponded with the development of the silk routes as channels for intercultural exchanges.

Buddhism became prominent in merchant communities and then spread throughout the Mauryan empire through commercial connections and along trade routes. In this way, Buddhism also spread through the silk route into central Asia.

The main three ways in which the religion was transported into the region is through systems of trade, marriage, and missionary work. Buddhism has always been a missionary religion and Theravada Buddhism was able to spread due to the work and travel of missionaries.

During the Maurya empire, the Indian culture and way of life were deeply influenced by Buddhism. Buddhism appealed to people of lower castes because it emphasized individuals’ path to enlightenment and salvation, which could be attained in this life.

20 Life Changing Lessons to Learn from Buddha

• Love heals all things.
• It’s not what you say but what you do that defines you.
• The secret of good health is to live fully in the NOW.
• Words have the power to both hurt and heal.
• Let it go and it will be yours forever.
• No one can walk your path for you.
• Happiness never decreases by being shared.
• Be kind to all.

Buddhist beliefs and practices can be woven into everyday life.

1. Take Walks Regularly. Walking is one of Buddha’s four postures, and it is a type of meditation that allows us to practice mindful awareness.
2. Make Friends with Other Spiritual People.
3. Discover Buddhist Musicians.
4. Use Apps.

Answer. It’s fair to say that Buddhism is the most contemplative of the world’s major religions, which is a reflection of its basic nontheism. Buddhism is about realization and experience, not institutions or divine authority. This makes it especially suited to those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious.

Answer: The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha’s teachings, though they leave much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

While nirvana is possible for any person, in most Buddhist sects only monks attempt to achieve it. Lay Buddhists — Buddhists outside the monastic community — strive instead for a higher existence in their next life. They follow the Noble Eightfold Path and help others, trying to accumulate good Karma.

Not exactly. Nirvana (not to be mistaken with the Hindu notion of Moksha) is free from mental proliferations including extreme notions of ‘existence’ and ‘non-existence’. Both erroneous notions are based on the view that there is a ‘self’ or an entity, that exists to begin with, and then could become non-existent.