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Ancient India
Section 3: The Beginnings if Buddhism
The Buddha and His Teaching
Siddhartha Gautama meditated and fasted for 49 days to understand the causes of human
suffering. He came to believe that letting go of selfish desires could free one from misery.
Gautama’s followers called him the Buddha, or the “Enlightened One.” The Buddha determined
an Eightfold Path that would lead to nirvana, or a release from the cycle of reincarnation. This
path was open to anyone to follow.
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Ancient India
Section 3: The Beginnings if Buddhism
Buddhism Inside and Outside India
Buddhism did not take hold in a lasting way in India, although Hinduism shares many of the same
ideas. In other Asian countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan, Buddhism flourished,
monasteries opened, and Buddhist beliefs had a great impact on the cultures.
Section Reading Support Transparency
MapMaster: The Spread of Buddhism
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Ancient India: Section 3
Section Reading Support Transparency
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