Indian Buddhism

Indian Buddhism includes in particular the time from the first schism within the Buddhist community until the decline of Buddhism in India. As such the lectures in this section are especially concerned with the history and thought of the different Buddhist Schools (Sthaviravāda, Mahāsāṃghika, Sarvāstivāda, etc.) that evolved in India within this period. Thereby it is important to mention that the term India denotes the historical Indian cultural area. It gives a survey of the origin of Buddhism, which eventually spread all over the world. The aim of this section of the curriculum is to bring knowledge about the where and when of original Buddhism.