Life, Death and Rebirth in the Land of the Buddha

1. 1. The Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, a site uniquely consecrated twice: first by the Buddha himself, then by Emperor Ashoka.
2. 2. Unlike many Western religions, Buddhism emerged without a holy book, commandments, or a concept of a jealous God, instead encouraging followers to interrogate teachings.
3. 3. Around the 14th century, Buddhism largely disappeared from India, its birthplace, due to factors including Islamic invasions and a resurgent Hinduism.
4. 4. The dharma, or Buddhist doctrine, demonstrates remarkable elasticity, adapting and merging with diverse local cultures and beliefs across Asia while retaining its essence.
5. 5. The Buddha radically rejected the concept of a permanent self, teaching that reality is a blazing river of impermanent flux, and clinging to stability causes suffering.
6. 6. Buddhism's core value that Buddhahood is attainable by all sentient beings implicitly challenges hierarchical social structures like the caste system, despite its non-activist nature.
7. 7. Newar Buddhism in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley is distinct for its Hindu-inflected character, use of Sanskrit scriptures, hereditary monk-householders, and strong tantric traditions.
8. 8. Modern Buddhism, particularly the Tibetan tradition, exhibits global relevance, appealing to elites and engaging with contemporary issues like artificial intelligence.