An Introduction to Buddhism: Teaching History and Practices (1990) by Peter Harvey gives an overview into the history of Buddhism and the historical figure popularly known as Sidddhartha Gautama (later known as the Buddha, i.e. “the Enlightened One”).
Buddhist practise Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha). Through Dhamma, Buddhists can transform into a compassionate personality and escape the delusions of the world then finally to the path of Nibbana (Enlightenment). Nibbana is the main goal for all Buddhists as reaching the stage of Nibbana will allow them to break away from the cycle of rebirth.
In Buddhism, it is the community of monks and nuns, called a Sangha, that continue the teachings and traditions set down by Gautama. However, around 100 years after the death of Gautama, fraternities, such as the Mahayana Buddhism, arose that introduced their own specific codes and teachings of Buddhism.
Harvey claims that Buddhism has spread beyond the borders of India where it originated and moved East and West. It can now be found in most Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. As Harvey points out, Buddhism was able to spread across other cultures due to how easily Buddhist philosophy was able to co-exist with other religions and cultures.
At the time of the birth of Siddartha Gautama, India’s main religion was Brahmanism, an early form of Hinduism, said to have been brought into India by nomadic Aryans. Through Brahmanism there developed the belief in a social caste and the idea of the concept of Karma (good actions).
Gautama was born a prince of the Sakka people. He lived a sheltered a life until he was moved by events to contemplate on the problems facing the world.
His philosophical teachings were a reaction and a rejection against the view of the Brahmins. He rejected the ideas of a monotheistic system of the universe and the concept of a social caste that was influenced by karma. He developed a system of philosophy that he called the Middle Way. He invented the Eightfold Path and the Four Holy Truths, which is usually called Dhamma. Buddhism was more philosophical and analytical. Gautama taught that individuals had to rely on their own experience. It was emphasized that Buddhism had a practical purpose.
Harvey P. Introduction from Introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history, and practice; Chapter 1, 1990 pp: 1-32, Cambridge [England] ; New York : Cambridge University Press; 1990

An introdution to Buddhism

An Introduction to Buddhism: Teaching History and Practices (1990) by Peter Harvey gives an overview into the history of Buddhism and the historical figure popularly known as Sidddhartha Gautama (later known as the Buddha, i.e. “the Enlightened One”).

Buddhist practise Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha). Through Dhamma, Buddhists can transform into a compassionate personality and escape the delusions of the world then finally to the path of Nibbana (Enlightenment). Nibbana is the main goal for all Buddhists as reaching the stage of Nibbana will allow them to break away from the cycle of rebirth.

In Buddhism, it is the community of monks and nuns, called a Sangha, that continue the teachings and traditions set down by Gautama. However, around 100 years after the death of Gautama, fraternities, such as the Mahayana Buddhism, arose that introduced their own specific codes and teachings of Buddhism.

Harvey claims that Buddhism has spread beyond the borders of India where it originated and moved East and West. It can now be found in most Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. As Harvey points out, Buddhism was able to spread across other cultures due to how easily Buddhist philosophy was able to co-exist with other religions and cultures.

At the time of the birth of Siddartha Gautama, India’s main religion was Brahmanism, an early form of Hinduism, said to have been brought into India by nomadic Aryans. Through Brahmanism there developed the belief in a social caste and the idea of the concept of Karma (good actions).

Gautama was born a prince of the Sakka people. He lived a sheltered a life until he was moved by events to contemplate on the problems facing the world.

His philosophical teachings were a reaction and a rejection against the view of the Brahmins. He rejected the ideas of a monotheistic system of the universe and the concept of a social caste that was influenced by karma. He developed a system of philosophy that he called the Middle Way. He invented the Eightfold Path and the Four Holy Truths, which is usually called Dhamma. Buddhism was more philosophical and analytical. Gautama taught that individuals had to rely on their own experience. It was emphasized that Buddhism had a practical purpose.

Harvey P. Introduction from Introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history, and practice; Chapter 1, 1990 pp: 1-32, Cambridge [England] ; New York : Cambridge University Press; 1990