Buddhism originated in northern India and initially spread throughout much of northern India, including regions like Magadha, Kosala, Mathura, and Ujjayani
. From India, Buddhism expanded peacefully across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, reaching Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian countries such as Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia
. The religion spread further through trade routes, especially along the Silk Road, which connected India to Central Asia and China. Buddhist monks traveled with merchant caravans, bringing the teachings into China by the 1st century CE. From China, Buddhism spread to Korea and Japan, forming the Mahayana tradition in East Asia
. In Central Asia and Tibet, Buddhism was transmitted through the influence of the Kushan Empire and later developed into the Vajrayana tradition, a distinctive form of Mahayana Buddhism
. By the 5th century CE, Buddhism was well established in Myanmar and Thailand, and by the 13th century, the Theravada school became dominant in South and Southeast Asia
. Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism by sending missionaries to surrounding regions, including Central Asia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia
. In summary, Buddhism spread from its Indian origins to:
- Northern and central India
- Sri Lanka
- Southeast Asia (Burma/Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia)
- Central Asia
- China
- Korea
- Japan
- Tibet
This spread was facilitated by trade routes like the Silk Road, missionary activity, and royal patronage, leading to the development of diverse Buddhist traditions across Asia
