Seeker
Seeker: Week of 11 25 13: Oldest Buddha Shrine Dates Birth 6th C. b.c.
When was the Buddha, or Enlightened One, born, and when? The recent discovery of the oldest known Buddist shrine tells archaelogists more than we've ever know.
University of Oxford (UK)
Arts & Humanities Research Council: British Photos of Central Tibet
A wonderful site that includes over 6000 photos taken by British officials and tourists. You can create your own picture album and send it to a friend. Clicking on "Places" will show you a map of where the photographers traveled.
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: Buddhist Studies: A Timeline of Buddhist History
Timeline outlines Buddhist history from the birth of the Buddha to the late twentieth century.
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: Theravda Buddhism: The Teachings of the Elders
This site explains the origins and history of Theraveda Buddhism, including a link to a map of Southeast Asia showing areas where Theravada dominates.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Images of Enlightenment: Aniconic vs Iconic Depictions of Buddha
Some of the earliest depictions of the Buddha reaching enlightenment appear as sculptural friezes on the exterior of sacred Buddhist monuments known as stupas. View pictures of these friezes and read the history of Prince Siddhartha in...
Other
Silk Road Foundation: Travels of Fa Hsien Buddhist Pilgrim of Fifth Century
A short history of China's famous early explorer and pilgrim who walked from central China to India and returned by sea to his homeland.
Columbia University
Asia for Educators: Medieval Japan Multimedia Unit
This unit from the extensive Asia for Educator's site provides audio, video and lecture materials from well-credentialed Asian studies professors to explore Japan's medieval period, from 1000-1500 A.D. Topics include the Samurai,...
PBS
Pbs: Nova: Lost Treasures of Tibet: Deciphering Buddha Imagery
Interactive presentation explains the many ways that the Buddha is represented in art. Discusses the symbolic nature of his appearance as well as the Buddha's characteristic hand gestures, or mudras.
Other
Buddhism in Cambodia
Read a detailed history of Cambodian Buddhism. Learn about the destruction of Buddhism by the communist rulers in the 1970s and the rebuilding that is still under way.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Indian History Sourcebook: Indian History Sourcebook
An online sourcebook of Indian history, this site from Fordham University offers links to websites & direct documents relating to specific periods of Indian history. Scroll through table of contents & choose area of interest!
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Timeline of Art History: Life of Buddha
Life of the Buddha told through a series of art objects. Accompanying essay clarifies episodes in the Buddha's life story.
PBS
Pbs: The Story of India: Kushan Empire
PBS explores the world of India with an in-depth look into the Kushan Empire. Identifies the origins of the empire, the location of the empire, and the connection to the Silk Road. Describes the importance of art and literature to the...
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: Why Is Buddhism the Fastest Growing Religion in Australia?
A look at Buddhism in Australia, the country's fastest growing religion. The article also looks at Buddhism's history with respect to Australia.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Longmen Caves, Luoyang
Worship and power struggles, enlightenment and suicide-the 2300 caves and niches filled with Buddhist art at Longmen in China has witnessed it all.The steep limestone cliffs extend for almost a mile and contain approximately 110,000...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Bodhisattva Maitreya
This statue depicts the bodhisattva Maitreya. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who postpone their own salvation in order to help all sentient beings. The bodhisattva is an ideal type, not a depiction of an historical person like the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Todai Ji
When completed in the 740s, Todai-ji (or "Great Eastern Temple") was the largest building project ever on Japanese soil. Its creation reflects the complex intermingling of Buddhism and politics in early Japan. View pictures and read...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Development of the Buddha Image
There is significant debate concerning the development of the Buddha image--where it first occurred, why, and when. Broadly speaking, the image of the Buddha emerged during the first few centuries C.E. in two major centers of Indian art...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Seated Amitabha Buddha (Amida Nyorai)
This sculpture shows Amitabha, identified as the Buddha of the Western Paradise. Read a brief history of Amitabha and the techniques used to make this sculpture.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Japanese Mythology
This is a comprehensive unit on Japanese Mythology including key terms, Japanese history including Buddhism and Shintoism, creation story animoto, creative writing, quizzes, tests, final assessment to create a business project as a...
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Ancient Chinese Religion
Overview referencing the religion of ancient China, including notes on Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.
Other
Architechtonic Research: The Head Temples of Zen Buddhism
A page describing the importance and history of a number of Zen temples in Japan. Includes pictures of the temples as well as details of the temple construction and history.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Yin, Yang, and a Little Feng Shui
Discusses the Three Ways, which are a blend of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucianist schools of thought, and what each of these philosophies contributes to the Three Ways.
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin: South / Southeast Asia Guide
A university site from the University of Wisconsin with numerous hyperlinks to issues and information on South and Southeast Asia.
Other
Buddhist Artifacts the Support of Spiritual Realization
A site by Tulku Thondup explaining the significance of Buddhist art in Tibet. This is an excerpt from a talk given at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1990. The basis is how the Buddhist devotees in Tibet use religious objects as tools...