Buddhism reached Sri Lanka about 251 BCE, China under the emperor Mingdi (57–75 CE), Korea in 372 and Japan in 538 or 552
Source. “Buddha”; “Ashoka”; “Nalanda”; “Mahendra”; “Mingdi”; “Goguryeo”; “Japan: Yamato decline and the introduction of Buddhism”; “Borobudur”; “The Diamond Sutra” (International Dunhuang Programme)
Method and data
Method. Magadha stands for three sites in Bihar: Bodh Gaya, Pataliputra and Nalanda. Arrows are schematic and do not trace routes; Dunhuang marks where the 868 Diamond Sutra was found.
| Place | Event | Date as stated | Source URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magadha (Bodh Gaya, Pataliputra, Nalanda) | The Buddha | c. 6th–4th century BCE | https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism |
| Magadha (Bodh Gaya, Pataliputra, Nalanda) | Ashoka’s reign and patronage of Buddhism | c. 265–238 BCE (also given as c. 273–232 BCE) | https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ashoka |
| Magadha (Bodh Gaya, Pataliputra, Nalanda) | Nalanda sacked | c. 1200 | https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nalanda |
| Sri Lanka | Mahendra sent to Sri Lanka | about 251 BCE | https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mahendra-Buddhist-missionary |
| China (Luoyang) | Introduction of Buddhism to China, as Britannica dates it | 57–75 CE (reign of Mingdi) | https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mingdi |
| Goguryeo (Korea) | Buddhism introduced in Goguryeo | 372 CE | https://www.britannica.com/place/Koguryo |
| Japan (Asuka) | Buddhism introduced to Japan | 538 or 552 | https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan/Yamato-decline-and-the-introduction-of-Buddhism |
| Borobudur (Java) | Borobudur built | about 778–850 CE | https://www.britannica.com/topic/Borobudur |
| Dunhuang | Diamond Sutra printed | 868 CE | https://idp.bl.uk/blog/the-diamond-sutra/ |
