B.E.

C.E.

-80

-462

Birth
of Prince Shiddhartha

-45

-589

The
Enlightenment

Bimbisara,
King of Magadha; Confucius and Lao-Tse in China and Mahavira in India,
lived during this century.

1

-544

(-383)

Parinibbana
of the Buddha and First Council at Rajagha

Ajatasattu,
King of Magadha

100

-444

(-383)

Second
Council at Vesali and first schism

Kalasoka
King of Magadha

218

-326

Expedition
of Alexander the Great to India.

280

to

-264

-227

Reign
of Emperor Asoka

Punic
Wars between Rome and Carthage began (264BC)

294

-250

Emperor
Asoka becomes a Buddhist after Kalinga war

297

-247

Third
Council at Pataliputta, sending of missionaries to Kasmira Gandhara,
Mahisamandala, Vanavasa, Aparantaka, Maharattha all regions in India, Yona
country (Greece), Himalaya Region, Suvannabhumi (Lower Burma, Siam and
Cambodia) and Lanka (Ceylon)

298

-246

Greco
– Bactrian Kingdom founded by Dicdotus

304

-240

Kustana,
son of Asoka founded the kingdom of Khotan, Central Asia

330

-214

Great
Wall of China begun

333

-211

First
Buddhist Monastery in Khotan

359

to

-185

-72

Sunga
Period in Central India.

443

to

-101

-77

Building
of the Great Thupa, Suvannamali in Anuradhapura. Beginning of the
tradition of Rock cut temples at Karle (1st century BC) Nasik, Kanheri,
Junnar, Bhaja (2nd century BC) Ajanta (2nd century BC-7 century CE) and
Ellora (5 century – 8 century CE).

King
Dutugemunu in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Andras in Ujjeni.

489

-55

Julius
Caeser’s first expedition to Britain.

500

-44

King
Menander, theBactrian king meets Van Nagasena in Sialkot, and becomes a
Buddhist: writing of Milinda Pañha: Beginning of Greco-Buddhist Gandhara
School of art and architecture which greatly influenced Central Asia.

Bactrian
Empire.

514

-30

Establishment
of Roman Empire by Augustus.

515

to

-29

-17

The
Ti-pitaka rendered into writing for first time at Aloka-vihara, Matale,
Sri Lanka: The Fourth Buddhist Council according to Theravada tradition
held in Sri Lanka

Reign
of Vattagamini Abhaya in Sri Lanka (29-17 BC)

540

-4

True
date of birth of Jesus of Nazareth

542

-2

Yi-chen,
an envoy of the King of Yueh-chis arrived in Chang-an and taught Buddhist
scriptures

544

Christian
era began.

569

25

Eastern
Han dynasty in China. (25-221 CE)

611

67

Official
introduction of  Buddhism to
China

622

78

Fourth
Buddhist Council (not recognized by Theravada) at Jalandhar in Kashmir:
Ven. Vasumitra and Asvaghosa: writing of Vaibhasa-Sastra

Reign
of Kushan King, Kanishka. Beginning of Saka Era. (other dates 128 CE, 144
CE)

694

150

Ven
Nagarjuna, the propounder of the Madhymika philoshophy a contemporary of
Yajna Sri Gautamiputra

710

166

Reign
of Satavahana King of India, Yajna Sri Gautamiputra (166-196CE)

708

164

Great
Plague began and lasted to the death of M. Aurelius (180CE) This
devastated all Asia. Century of war and disorder in the Roman Empire
began.

719

175-

225

Ven.
Mon-tseu of China who wrote a treatise comparing Buddhism with the
teachings of Confucius and Lao Tse.

814

270-

350

Ven.
Maitreya (natha) the founder of the Yogacara school

824

280

Vasubandhu,
brother of Asanga. (280-360 CE)

843

299

Goodwill
mission from King Vasudeva of Gandhara to China

847

303

Persecution
of Christian by Emperor Diocletian

864

320

Beginning
of reign of Chandra Gupta and of the Gupta era (300-606 CE)

With
permission from King Chandragupta a Sinhalese monastery established at
Buddha Gaya by King Sri Meghavanna (304-333 CE)

888

344

Birth
of Kumarajiva.

894

350

Asanga,
most prominent teacher of Yogacara

916

372

Buddhism
introduced to Kogaryu in North Korea by a Chinese monk

928

384

Buddhism
introduced from Central Asia to Pakche in S. W. Korea by a monk called
Ven. Marananda

930

386

Buddhism
declared State religion in China

Northern
Wei dynasty in China 386-353 CE.

943

399

Travels
of Fa-Hien (Fa-hsien) in India (399-414 CE)

Reign
of Chandragupta II of India 375-413 CE

946

402

Buddhism
introduced to Silla in SE Korea: Buddhapalita and Bhavaviveke of
Madhyamika school (1st half of 5 century CE): Dinnaga, acclaimed to be the
founder of Buddhist logic; Buddhadatta

953

409

Hiu
Shen undertakes a mission to Mexico during the reign of King Yung Yuan.
Returned 543 CE.

964

420

Ven.
Sanghavarman translated books on Vinaya from Sanskrit to Chinese

975

431

Ven.
Gunavarman’s mission to Vietnam, Java and China. Java became a Buddhist
country under his influence.

979

435

Ven.
Gunabhadra, a Sri Lankan arrived in Indrapuri (Hue) from China.

1002

458

Arrival
of Ven. Buddhaghosa, the great pali commentator in Mahavihara,
Anuradhapura; Samantapasadika, the Vinaya commentary was begun in the 20th
and finished in the 21st year of the king’s reign.

Reign
of King Mahanama in Sri Lanka 458-480 CE

1032

488

Ven.
Sangabodhi from Sri Lanka arrived in Tonking and proceeded to Jetavana
Vihara Canton

1046

502-

549

Ven.
Bodhidharma, founder of the Chinese, Ch’an sect.

1070

526

Ven.
Bodhidharma left for China from Vietnam

1092

548

Arrival
of Ven. Paramartha (Po-lo-mo-tho) (513-569 CE) of Ujjain in Nanking

1096

552

Buddhism
introduced to Japan from Kudara (Pakche) one of the kingdoms of Korea.

1114

570

Muhammad
was born

1119

575

Ven.
Chandrakirti of the Madhymika school

1138

594

Prince
Shotoku issued an Imperial Ordinance supporting and urging the development
of the Three Jewels

1150

606

Ascendancy
of King Harsadeva of Kanauj, a great Buddhist benefactor (606-647 CE)

1161

617

Ascendancy
of King Sron-btsan-sgam-po in Tibet and official introduction of Buddhism
into Tibet.

1162

618

Tang
dynasty in China 618-906CE

1173

629

Ven
Yuan Chwang or Hieun Tsang (602-660CE) starts on his journey to India;
Travelled in India from 633-644 and returned to China in 645 CE.

1215

671

I’Tsing’s
visit to kingdom of Sri Vijaya. On his outward journey to India, Sri
Vijaya a Theravada centre; Travelled from 671-695 CE.

1228

684

Talang
Tuwo Ins. in Sri Vijaya Kingdom.

1239

695

Re-Visit
to Sri Vijaya by I’tsing: Sri Vijaya had become a Mahayana outpost.

1254

710

Beginning
of Nara period in Japan.

Nara
made the capital

1258

714

Persecution
of Buddhists in China by Yen T’sing: Pala Rule in Bengal – a Buddhist
dynasty: Rise of Nalanda University and the Universities of Vickremasila
and Odantipuri.

1299

755

Ascendancy
of King Khri-Sron-Ide-btsan.

1319

775

Ligor
Inscription-patronage of the Sri Vijaya Kingdom to Mahayana Buddhism

1338

794

Kyoto
period in Japan

Helan,  

Kyoto  became 
the capital (794-1194 CE)

1348

804

Beginning
of Tendai school in Japan by Ven. Saicho (767-822 CE)

1350

806

Beginning
of Shingon school in Japan by Ven. Kukai (774-835 CE)

1366

822

Establishment
of the second Ordination Platform on Mount Hiei, Japan.

1394

850

Nalanda
copperplate of Deva-paladeva-gift of 5 villages to a vihara founded at
Nalanda by

King
of Sri Vijaya.

1411

867

Copperplate
Ins.of Rastrakuta King Dantavarman in Kampilya, Gujerat-donation of land
to the Kampily vihara where 500 monks of the sangha of the Sindhu desa
lived.

1412

868

Ins.
of Pandya King Vikramaditya Varaguna with Buddhist references.

1428

884

Copper
plate Ins. of the Rastrakuta King Dharavarsa recording similar grants to
Kampilya vihara.

1482

938

Ven.
Kuya teaches the Nembetsu in Japan

1519

975

Kagudpa
school of Yogo established by Tilopa in Tibet.

1526

982

Acarya
Dipankara Sri Jnana or Atisa Dpal-mar-med-mdsa-ye-ses or Jo-vor-Je-pal-dan
Atisa (982-1054CE)

1549

1005

Cola
Ins. of Rajaraja I in Nagapattanam recording the commencement of the
construction of a Buddhist vihara there by Sailendra King Cudamanivarman

1554

1010

Buddhism
made state religion in Vietnam during Ly-Dyna-sty (1010-1225 CE)

1573

1029

Punjab,
Kasmir, Gandhara under Muslim rulers of Gazni

1585

1041

Ven.
Atisa’s mission  to Tibet
(1041-1054 CE)

1588

1044

King
Anawratha ascend the Burmese throne

1594

1050

Religious
council in Tibet associated with Atisa, Marpa and Milarepa

1601

1057

Conquest
of Thaton by king Anawaratha and the introduction of Theravada Buddhism
into Burma

1634

1090

Construction
of the Pagan temple in Burma by king Kyanzittha (1084-1112CE)

1697

1153

Asendancy
of King Parakramabahu I in Sri Lanka (1153-1186 CE)

1709

1165

Unification
of Mahavihara, Abhayagiriya and Jetavana vihara monks in Sri Lanka. End of
all schisms

1116

1172

Beginning
of Jodo school in Japan by Ven. Honen

1725

1181

1182

Establishment
of the Sihala Order of monks in Burma

1736

1192

Beginning 
of Kamakura Period in Japan(1192-1334)

1768

1224

Beginning
of Jodo-Shinsu school in Japan by Ven. Shinron (1173-1262 CE)

1771

1227

Beginning
of Soto zen school in Japan by Ven. Dogen (1200-1253 CE)

1797

1253

Beginning
of Nichiren school in Japan by Ven. Nichiren (1222-1282 CE)

1801

1257

Establishment
of the Lanka-vemsa in Sukhodaya, later Thailand

Ramakamhem
King of Sukhodaya.

1811

1267

Beginning
of Jishu school in Japan by Ippen

1814

1270

Creation
of the Tibetan theocracy by Emperor Kubilai Khan

1902

1358-

1419

Ven.
Tson-kha-pa, the founder of the Dge-lugs-pa (yellow hats) in Tibet.

1912

1368

Setting
in of the decline of Buddhism in China

Ming 
Dynasty in  China 1368-1644 CE

1952

1408

Founding
of the Ganden monastery near Lhasa by Tsonkha-pa

1997

1453

Constantinople
taken by Ottomon Turks

2020

1476

Kalyani
Inscription

2040

1496

Vasco-da-Gama
discovers sea route to India

2049

1505

Portuguese
arrival in Sri Lanka

2093

1549

Xavier
brings  catholicism to Japan

2091

1574-

1601

Taranatha,
a historian of Buddhism

2147

1603

Beginning
of Edo period in Japan 1603-1867 CE

2256

1712

Buddhism
appeared in Baikal region in USSR

2258

1714

First
Buddhist Temple in Buryati, Mongolia.

2297

1735

Higher
ordination brought from Thailand and the beginning of the Syamopali vamsa
in Sri Lanka.

King
Kirtisri Rajasinghe in Sri Lanka  (1747-1781
CE)

2378

1834

Tibetan-English
Dictioary by Come de Koros

2381

1837

George
Turnour’s critical edition and translation of Mahavamsa

2399

1855

Latin
translation of Dhammapada by Prof. Vincent Fausboll.

2410

1866

First
public controversy between Buddhists and Christians at Udanvita, Sri
Lanka.

2415

1872

Fifth
Council at Mandalaya, Burma (Theravada): Second Public controversy at
Gampola, Sri Lanka.

2416

1872

Third
public controversy at Panadura, Sri Lanka, which led to a Buddhist
re-awakening. Establishment of Vidyodaya Oriental College (Pirivena)
Colombo.

2417

1873

Establishment
of Vidyalankara Oriental College (Pirivena) Kelaniya.

2423

1879

Light
of Asia written by Sri Edwin Arnold

2424

1880

Coming
of Henry Steele Olcott to Sri Lanka.

2425

1881

Founding
of the Pali-Text Society by Prof. Rhys Davids

2429

1885

Buddhist
flag designed. Waisakha Full moon declared a Public Holiday for the first
time under British Rule

2431

1887

Ven.
Soryu Kubahi’s mission to Honolulu, Hawaii.

2435

1891

Founding
of the Mahabodhi Society by Anagarika Dharmapala

2436

1892

Founding
of the Buddhist Text Society of Calcutta

2437

1893

World
conference of Religions Chicago: Introduction of Buddhism to USA by
Anagarika Dharmapala

2443

1899

Rev.
Sokei Sonada’s mission to San Francisco

2444

1900

First
expendition of Sri Aurel Stein to Central Asia.

2451

1907

Founding
of the Buddhist Society of Great Britain and Ireland: Establishment of the
Jetavana Vihare in Nanking, China.

2452

1908

First
Buddhist Mission to U. K.

2455

1911

Founding
of All China Buddhist Association in Nanking.

2458

1914

First
World War 1914-1918

2464

1920

Commencement
of the Dhammarajika Vihara at Buddha Gaya

2465

1921

Founding
of Societe belge d’etudes Orientales

2468

1924

Establishment
of the Buddhist Society, U. K.

2469

1925

Buddhist
House at Frohnau, West Germany built by Paul Dahlke

2472

1928

Commencement
of Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Isipatana.

2474

1930

First
Pan-Pacific Buddhist Conference in Honolulu

2478

1934

Ven.
Narada’s first Buddhist Mission to Indonesia, Second General Conference
of Pan-Pacific Young Buddhist Associations in Kyoto

2383

1939

Second
World War 1939- 1945

2490

1946

Buddhist
mission from  Sri Lanka to
Nepal

2492

1948

Buddha
Sasana Council in Burma

Gaining
of political Independence by India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Burma.

2494

1950

Inaugural
meeting of the World Fellowship of Buddhists

2496

1952

Visit
of American upasika Dhammadinna to Melbourne and Sydney and forming of
Buddhist Societies of New South Wales and of Victoria

2498

1954

Sixth
Buddhist Council in Burma (Theravada) Ven. Narada’s mission to Sweden.

2500

1956

Buddha
Jayanti – 2500th anniversary of Parinibbana of Buddha, Founding of
Buddhist Society in Brazil.

2502

1958

Founding
of the Buddhist Publication Society in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

2503

1959

Flight
of the Dalai Lama from Tibet to India.

2507

1963

Persecution
of Buddhists in Vietnam

2509

1965

First
Theravada Buddhist Centre founded in Washington D.C. USA after visit of
Ven. Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera of Sri Lanka.

2510

1966

Buddhist
research centre established at Halle, GDR Tibetan Lama Trungvo Rinpoche
arrived in U.K.

2511

1967

Buddhist
Mission to Ghana by Ven. Piyadassi. Sri Lanka First Buddhist Vihara
established in Brazil.

2514

1970

Buddhist
Centre founded in Canada.

2519

1975

Forming
of the Buddhist Union of Europe

2522

1978

Establishment
of Toronto Buddhist Vihara, Scarborough, Canada.

2526

1982

Conference
of World Buddhist Leaders and Scholars held in Sri Lanka, June 1 – 4.