History of Indian Buddhism

By Professor Karam Tej Singh Sarao | Central Institute Of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi

Learners enrolled: 342

The course was initially offered during the January-May 2023 semester and garnered an exceptional global response, attracting a total enrollment of 1,377 learners. Among the enrollees, 24 from Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nepal, and Vietnam participated in the course.

Recognizing this high demand, the course was relaunched for the semesters' July-October 2023 semester, Jan-April 2024 semester and July-October 2024 semester, respectively, which once again generated significant interest. The course witnessed a substantial enrollment of 1,033 learners, 976 learners and 885 learners respectively, from around the world.

The course was again re-run for January-April 2025 Semester and witnessed enrollment of 700 learners, across globe.

The Course's examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, consisting of 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), will be administered nationwide by the National Testing Agency..

Kindly Note - The course coordinator and their team are available for support and interaction throughout the duration of the course via the Course Discussion Forum and their Whatsapp Group. Additionally, the Course Coordinator conducts a live online class at the end of each week during weekends, where they address learners' questions and concerns.

About the course:

History of Indian Buddhism is a four-credit course of 15 weeks’ duration.

The course, as the title suggests, deals with the history of Indian Buddhism from its origins in the sixth century BCE till its decline around the twelfth-thirteenth centuries CE. The primary objective of this course is to advance students’ knowledge of the history of Indian Buddhism from the time of its origins in about the sixth century BCE till its decline during the medieval period. Upon the completion of this course, students should: have acquired a clear understanding of the historical development of Indian Buddhism as a whole have a sound knowledge of key Buddhist scriptures, schools and doctrines. You can have acquired a good understanding of some of the most essential practices for Buddhists in South Asia. Be equipped with the methodological skills to pursue postgraduate or independent research on practically any topic relating to Indian Buddhism. There are 36 modules in this course and through these modules the students shall be familiarized with

1. Background to the Origin of Buddhism

2. Date of the Buddha

3. Biography of the Buddha-I: Previous Births

4. Biography of the Buddha-II: Conception to Life in the Palace

5. Biography of the Buddha-III: Abhiniṣkramaṇa to Nirvāṇa and Beyond

6. Early Buddhist Teachings

7. Origin and Growth of the Saṃgha

8. Dissent and Protest in Early Buddhism with special reference to Devadatta

9. The Mahābodhi Tree

10. The Mahābodhi Temple

11. Buddhist Perspective on Ahiṃsā

12. Social, Economic, and Political Philosophy of Buddhism

13. Buddhist Attitude towards Women

14. Dissent and Origin of Various Sects

15. Buddhist Councils: First

16. Buddhist Councils: Second

17. Buddhist Councils: Third and Fourth

18. Buddhism during the Mauryan Period

19. Origin and Development of Buddhist Pilgrimage

20. Puṣyamitra Śuṅga and the other Śuṅgas Kings

21. Buddhist Schools of Art

22. Buddhism under the Indo-Greeks and the Kuṣāṇas

23. Harṣavardhana and Śaśāṅka

24. Decline-I: History of Decline: Some Basic Issues

25. Decline-II: Corruption, Dissent, Sectarianism, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna

26. Decline-III: Brāhmaṇical Kings, Hinduism, and the Bhakti Movement

27. Decline-IV: Role of Islam and Ṣūfism

28. Decline-V: Saṃgha-Laity Relationship, Decline of Urbanization, and Evolving Material Milieu

29. Decline VI: Model/Blueprint of Decline

Pre-requisite for the course:- Bachelor’s degree in any course and interest in Buddhist Studies

Course type: core or elective:- Open Elective

Estimated work load every week:- Eight to twelve hours (Watching videos, reading module contents- (two or three every week), attempting questions and reading related reference materials.)

Total assignments allotted for the course (Indicate Graded assignments (which contain marks) and non-graded (those non-marks) ):-

In all fifteen assignments (three long essays of 3,000 words, short answers and MCQs) and fifteen assignments (two assignments consisting of long essays each of 3,000 words ) without marks.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	15 weeks
Category :	Multidisciplinary
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	17 Jul 2025
End Date :	30 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends :	31 Aug 2025
Exam Date :
NCrF Level	4.5 — 7.0
Industry Details :	Religious Institutions;Academic Institutions
Exam time:To be announced soon :	Note: Doubt/ Live classes every Weekend

Page Visits

Course layout

	Week wise schedule (including the assignment to be kept in the week) :-
Week No.	Nos. and Titles of Modules
1	1. Background to the Origin of Buddhism
	2. Mahājanapadas and Republics at the Time of the Buddha
	3. Date of the Buddha
2	4. Biography of the Buddha: Previous Lives
	5. Biography of the Buddha: Conception to Home Leaving
3	6. Biography of the Śākyamuni Buddha: Home Leaving to Bodhi
	7. Biography of the Śākyamuni Buddha: First Sermon to Nirvāṇa
4	8. Origin and Development of the Saṃgha
	9. Pāli Tipiṭaka
	10. Weltanschauung of Indian Buddhism
5	11.The Buddhist Doctrine of Ahiṃsā
	12. Attitude of Indian Buddhism towards Women
	13. Social, Economic, and political thought of ancient Indian Buddhism
6	14. The First Buddhist Council
	15. Dissent and Protest in Early Indian Buddhism with Special Reference to Devadatta
	16. The Second Buddhist Council
7	17. Buddhism under the Mauryas
	18. The Third Buddhist Council
8	19. Buddhism during the Śuṅga Period
	20. The Indo-Greeks, the Śakas, and the Indo-Parthians
9	21.Buddhism during the Kuṣāṇa Period
	22.The Fourth Buddhist Council
10	23. Origin and Growth of Various Buddhist Sects in India
	24. The Origin and Development of Mahāyāna Buddhism
11	25. Buddhism under Harṣa and Śaśāṅka
	26. Origin and Growth of Tantra
12	27. Buddhist Schools of Art
	28. Origin and Growth of Buddhist Pilgrimage in India
13	29. The Mahābodhi Tree
	30. The Mahābodhi Temple
14	31. The History of the Decline of Buddhism in Different Parts of India
	32. Decline of Buddhism in India: The Issue of Moral and Ethical Corruption, Sectarianism, and the Rise of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna
	33. Decline of Buddhism in India: The Question of the Animosity of Brāhmaṇas, Hostile Kings, and the Rise of Bhakti Movement
15	34. Decline of Buddhism in India: Role of Islam and Ṣūfis
	35. Decline of Buddhism in India: Saṃgha-Laity Relationship, Decline of Urbanization, and Evolving Material Milieu
	36. Blue Print for the Decline of Buddhism in India

Books and references

Akira, Hirakawa. 1993. A History of Indian Buddhism, translated and edited by Paul Groner, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.

Bapat: V. 1956. 2500 Years of Buddhism, Government of India Publications Division, New Delhi.

Goyal, S.R. 1993. A History of Indian Buddhism,Meerut: Kusumanjali Prakashan.

Lamotte, Étienne. 1988. History of Indian Buddhism from the Origins to the Saka Era, trans. S. Webb-Boin, Louvain-la-Nueve: Institute Orientaliste, Universite de Louvain.

Nakamura, Hajime. 1980. Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes, Tokyo: KUFS Publication.

Sarao, K.T.S. 1989. The Origin and Nature of Ancient Indian Buddhism, Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers.

Instructor bio

Professor Karam Tej Singh Sarao

Central Institute Of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi

Course Coordinator Details :

Professor Karam Tej Singh Sarao

Former Professor,

Department of Buddhist Studies,

University of Delhi.

Professor Karam Tej Singh Sarao is the former Head and Professor of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University.

After receiving MA (History) and PhD (Buddhist History) from the University of Delhi, he went to Cambridge University as a Commonwealth Scholar from where he received his second PhD (Pāli and Buddhist Archaeology). Besides having taught at Delhi University for over four decades, Professor Sarao has also been a visiting fellow/professor at Dongguk University (South Korea), Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies, Jinshan (Taiwan), Sorbonne (Paris, France), Cambridge University (UK), Visvabharati (India), and PS Royal Buddhist University (Cambodia). He has written sixteen books and published more than 350 research papers and articles. Some of his important books are Baku’s Temple of Eternal Fire (Bloomsbury, 2021), History of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya (Springer, 2020), Encyclopedia of Buddhism and Jainism (Springer, 2020), The Decline of Indian Buddhism: A Fresh Perspective (MRML, 2012), The Dhammapada: A Translator’s Guide (MRML, 2009), Pilgrimage to Kailash: The Indian Route (Aryan International, 2009), Urban Centres and Urbanisation as Reflected in the Pāli Vinaya and Sutta Piṭakas (MRML, 1990).

The P.S. Royal Buddhist University, Phnom Penh conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Letters (HC) in 2011 and in 2018, the President of India conferred on him the Certificate of Honour for outstanding scholarship in Pāli Language. Lifetime Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence was conferred by the Vietnam Buddhist University, Ho-Chi-Minh City in 2019. India’s Ministry of Culture conferred on him the Vesak Citation of Honour for the year 2020.

Course Coordinator email Id: ktssarao@hotmail.com

Mobile and Whats App No.: +91- 9811262124

Coordinator of the Course :-

Ven. Prof. (Dr.) Wangchuk Dorjee Negi

Vice Chancellor (Addl. charge).

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi

Professor Wangchuk Dorjee Negi is currently the Vice-Chancellor (Addl. charge) of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi.

Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi is currently the Vice Chancellor (Addl. Charge) of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi. He did his Acharya (MA) in Buddhist Philosophy from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath and PhD (Buddhist Philosophy) from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. He is a Professor of Indian Buddhist Philosophy in the Department of Mool Shastra, Faculty of Hetu Evam Adhyatma Vidya at CIHTS, Sarnath. He is the Dean of the Faculty of Hetu Evam Adhyatman Vidya and Director of R&D Cell of the Institute. His teaching area involves tenets of the four Indian Buddhist Philosophical Schools: Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Sautrantika and Vaibhashika; Buddhist Pramana; and Buddhist Ethics. His research interest includes Buddhist Tantra and Buddhist Hermeneutical works.

Prof. Negi was the Vice Chancellor (Addl. Charge) of CIHTS, Sarnath from 2-12-2021 to 12-04-2022 and the Director of Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh, Ladakh from 2010 to 2015. As a Visiting Professor under Exchange Programs, he has taught at University of Tasmania, Australia and Smith College & Hampshire College, MA, USA. He has also visited as a Research Guide at Taisho University, Japan and as a Visiting Faculty for the Survey of Sanskrit Buddhist Manuscripts in Okayama, Japan. Prof. Negi has represented India (Nominated by Govt. of India) in SAARC Regional & Cultural Seminar in Sri Lanka and ICCR Seminar in Cambodia. Additionally, in the capacities of Resource Person and Dharma Teacher, he has visited Universities and Dharma Centers in Chile, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Burma.

As their Indian Advisor, he has guided several Fulbright Research Scholars from USA, Europe etc. though USIEF & AIIS, New Delhi. He has got several books to his credit which includes What is Buddhism (English, 2016) (also translated into Spanish and Chinese), Commentary on Dhammapada (Hindi, 2010) (also translated into Tibetan 2014 and Bengali 2012); Commentary on Dhammapada in the Context of Modern Time (English, 2013); Vajrayana Darshan Evam Sadhana (Hindi, 1998); Vajrayana Darshan Mimansa (Sanskrit, 2009); Prajnaparamita-Hrdaya-Sutra-Sputartha-Bhashya - Commentary on Heart Sutra (Hindi, 2019); translated & edited works in Hindi/Sanskrit; and several papers/chapters published in various journals and anthologies.

Publications/ Conferences:

Books 8:

Monographs:

1. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Prajnaparamita-hrdaya-sutra-sputartha-bhashya (Commentary on Heart Sutra), Published by Kunphel Ling, Taiwan, 2019. Print, Hindi. ISBN PB 9788193625460

2. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. What Is Buddhim. Third Edition. Dehra Dun: Songtsen Library, 2016. Print, English. ISBN 978-81922829-3-0. Second Edition 2014, First Edition 2010 (Translated into Spanish 2017; Chinese 2016)

3. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Dhammapada: Commentary in the Context of Modern Time. Varanasi: CIHTS, 2013. Print, English. ISBN HB 979380282374, PB 979380282381

4. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Vajrayāna Darśana Mīmāṁsā (An Analysis of Vajrayana Philosophy). Varanasi: CIHTS, 2009. Print, Sanskrit. ISBN HB 9788187127857, PB 9788187127864

5. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Commentary on Dhammapada in Hindi. Third Edition. Taipei: CBBEF, 2010. Print, Hindi. Second Edition 2006, First Edition 2003 (Translated into Tibetan 2014; Bengali 2012; Translating into Sinhalese) http://ftp.budaedu.org/ebooks/pdf/IIT01.pdf

6. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Vajrayāna Darśana Evam Sādhana (Theory and Practice of Vajrayana). Varanasi: CIHTS, 1998. Print, Hindi. ISBN HB 9789380282879, PB 9789380282886 [Reprint 2017]

Translations:

7. Introduction to Buddhism by H.H. Dalai Lama - Hindi Translation. Translator. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee, Varanasi: 2010

8. Kagyu Sangha Mahapranidhana Paat Sankalan - Hindi Translation. Co-Translator. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Dharamsala: Dophen Tsuklag Petun Khang, 2007

Books Published as co-editor in RBTRU, CIHTS, Sarnath, Varanasi: 5

Published Chapters/Articles: 56 (Internation 12; National 44)

Teaching Assistant for the Course:-

Name: Akansha Singh

Email: asbuddhist1@gmail.com

Ms Akansha Singh is a PhD student in the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies at the Banaras Hindu University where she is preparing her PhD thesis on “Vessantara Jātaka; Its Depiction in Literature, Paintings and Bas-Reliefs”. She has a first class Bachelor (Hons) degree in History, a first class MA in Buddhist Studies (History Specialization), and a post-graduate diploma in Pāli Language and Literature from Delhi University. She has also worked as Research Officer at Swami Vivekananda Subharti University from August 2019 to July 2021.

Course certificate

The Interested Learners (Students, Working Professionals, and Life-Long Learners) can enroll and learn this MOOC course for free.

If you want to get SWAYAM Certificate for this course, you have to register for SWAYAM Examination and write the proctored examination conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA: https://swayam.nta.ac.in/) in its various exam centres across India. The SWAYAM examination fee for this course is Rs.750, to be paid at the time of Exam registration.

Marks Distribution:

In this course, 30 Marks will be allocated for Internal Assessment (assignment/ discussion forum/ activity) and 70 Marks will be allocated for external proctored examination.

A minimum of 40 % passing marks (i.e. at-least 12 marks in Internal Assessment & 28 Marks in external proctored examination) will be required for being eligible for SWAYAM Certificate.

Kindly note:- The students enrolled in Universities/Institutions/Colleges can avail Credit Transfer as per UGC SWAYAM Regulations, 2021 for this course. The Host University for this Credit Transfer will be Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi.

Mode of Exam : Computer Based Test Conducted by Government of India Agency's i.e. National Testing Agency (NTA).

The Course's examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The exam, consisting of 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), will be administered nationwide by the National Testing Agency.

SWAYAM Helpline / Support