The history of the spread of Buddhism is vast, reaching from the Buddha’s first teachings in what is now India, and encompassing the ancient Buddhist civilizations and societies in India (Nalanda University) and along the Silk Road (Dunhuang Caves), and extending around the globe and into the modern age.
Note: This history section is a basic overview. It is up to you to identify which events are the ones that are most relevant for your students. We recommend focusing on a limited number of key dates and tracing the movement of Buddhism from region to region. In the future, MWE may create more specific, scoped, and sequenced learning goals around Buddhist history.

Studying the past informs our present and future. It is an important means of transmitting and preserving traditions, values, and views.

Reflect on the importance of stories in preserving culture and values, including their own stories.

• When learning about the history of Buddhism, which events stand out as significant to you?
• Who were the key leaders?
• Why did Buddhism travel from one region to another?

Trace and analyze the geographical and cultural spread of Buddhism from ancient India to contemporary global contexts; evaluate the factors that facilitated or hindered dharma transmission across different civilizations; and synthesize understanding by examining how Buddhist teachings adapted to diverse cultures while maintaining core principles throughout historical periods.