Introduction

This chapter examines the south Asian region as a whole and some of the political events which had bearing on Buddhist institutions. The basis of Buddhism, as expressed in the Theravada and reinterpreted in the Mahayana, is the Noble Truths. Theravada Buddhism is generally agreed to be the oldest surviving Buddhist lineage. Theravada Buddhism is found in almost all parts of the world, though the majority of its members are in Asia, predominantly Thailand, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Laos. The beginnings of Buddhism and its early stages can be gleaned as much from the Mahayana as from the Theravada traditions. Mahayana sites are to be found particularly in south and northwest India, reaching as far as Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ashoka Maurya built Buddhist stupas and patronised the sangha. Mongkut was responsible for creating the Dhammayut division within the sangha. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.