India, where Buddhism was born and practiced first, there are several Buddhist monuments ranging from the early years of Buddha to later day monasteries.

Up in the Himalayas, where Buddhism is a living religion, the monasteries are set in wonderful scenic locations. Guests can watch and at times participate in the prayers of the monks.

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Buddhism is one of the major religious and philosophical traditions in the world. It began over 2,000 years ago in northeast India, with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (the founder). By his own effort he attained enlightenment (a state of understanding truth) and then taught others how to do the same.

Siddhartha Gautama was born near the town of Kapilavastu, in what is now Lumbini in Nepal. He left his home at the age of 29 and started travelling till he finally attained his Enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. He then went to Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon. During the 40 years that followed his Enlightenment he travelled often, particularly to Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali (near present day Patna in Bihar) where he delivered many important sermons. At the age of 80, the Buddha passed away at Kushinagar near Gorakpur in Uttar Pradesh.

In the 3rd century B.C., the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, who created India’s first great empire, vowed to maintain his rule according to Buddhist rules. To publicise his laws, Ashoka had them inscribed on many stone pillars, some 12 metres high. Ashoka was also responsible for the building of many stupas (domed funeral mounds) and cave shrines.

Some of the most magnificent Buddhist sculptures decorate the gateways and stone railings that surround stupas. These mounds were built to enshrine the relics of the Buddha or a Buddhist teacher. Relief carvings illustrate the life and teachings of the Buddha. Some of the best preserved early stupas stand at Sanchi in central India.

From the 200’s B.C., artificial caves were carved out of cliffs of solid rock to serve as shrines and monasteries. The 28 caves at Ajanta in western India were created between A.D. 100 and the A.D. 400’s. Sculptors worked on the caves at Ellora, near Ajanta, until about 1000. They created Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain caves next to each other.

Buddhist art dominated the period from about the 100’s B.C. to about the A.D. 500’s. As Hinduism grew in popularity, so Buddhism in India declined. Much of the greatest Indian sculpture from the 400’s until the Muslim conquest in about 1200 is made up of Hindu temples.

In the Indian Himalayas are still important Buddhist centres In Sikkim there are over 250 Buddhist monasteries, mostly belonging to the ancient Nyingmapa sect such as the famous monasteries of Pemayangtse and Tashiding near Pelling in western Sikkim. Some of the monasteries are deserted but others, like Rumtek near Gangtok, are thriving centres of Mahayana Buddhism. Another important Buddhist centre in India is Leh in Ladakh, also known as “Little Tibet”.

Since 1960, when it became the temporary headquarters of the Dalai lama, Dharamsala has become a major centre of Buddhist cultural and religious activity. There are many courses on meditation, Buddhist philosophy, language, medicine and astrology. Most travellers come to catch a glimpse of the charismatic leader, the Dalai Lama.