🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 62 (from laksa088)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa062.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran","crawl_time":1775078326,"first_indexed_time":1718117938,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,britannica!www,\/topic\/Songkran s443","src_root_hash":"5455945239613777662","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Songkran | Thai New Year, Water Festival, History, Observances, & Regional Variations | Britannica","meta_descriptions":["Songkran is a New Year festival in Thailand that features splashing water."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"News\n•\nBuddhism\n,\nreligion\nand\nphilosophy\nthat developed from the teachings of the\nBuddha\n(Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern\nIndia\nbetween the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries\nbce\n(before the Common Era). Spreading from\nIndia\nto\nCentral\nand\nSoutheast Asia\n,\nChina\n,\nKorea\n, and\nJapan\n, Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of\nAsia\n, and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West.\nAncient Buddhist\nscripture\nand\ndoctrine\ndeveloped in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in\nPali\nand\nSanskrit\n. In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term\ndharma\n(Pali:\ndhamma\n), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term\ndharma\nas it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary\nsacred\nlanguage is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as\nTibetan\nor\nChinese\n.\nThe foundations of Buddhism\nThe cultural context\nBuddha\nHead of Buddha in gray schist, 1st–3rd century\nce\n, showing Hellenistic influences, from Gandhara, northwestern Pakistan; in the Guimet Museum, Paris.\nBuddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century\nbce\n, a period of great\nsocial change\nand intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483\nbce\n. Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368\nbce\n). At this time in India, there was much discontent with\nBrahmanic\n(\nHindu\nhigh-caste)\nsacrifice\nand\nritual\n. In northwestern India there were\nascetics\nwho tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the\nVedas\n(Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the\nUpanishads\n, a new emphasis on\nrenunciation\nand transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation.\nA proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the\nSamkhya\nschool of\nHinduism\nfounded by\nKapila\n) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the\nAjivikas\n(Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate (\nniyati\n), and the\nJains\n, who stressed the need to free the\nsoul\nfrom matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that\nconstitute\nthe universe, as well as in the existence of the soul.\nDespite the bewildering variety of religious\ncommunities\n, many shared the same vocabulary—\nnirvana\n(transcendent freedom),\natman\n(“self” or “soul”),\nyoga\n(“union”),\nkarma\n(“causality”),\nTathagata\n(“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”),\nbuddha\n(“enlightened one”),\nsamsara\n(“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and\ndhamma\n(“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working\nascetic\n.\nBritannica Quiz\nBuddha and Buddhism\nBuddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was\nconstituted\nby the presence of a\ncharismatic\nteacher, by the teachings this leader\npromulgated\n, and by a\ncommunity\nof adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the\nTriratna\n—i.e., the “Three Jewels” of\nBuddha\n(the teacher),\ndharma\n(the teaching), and\nsangha\n(the community).\nIn the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the\nHinayana\n(Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more\nconservative\ngroup, which included what is now called the\nTheravada\n(Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the\nSutta Pitaka\nand the\nVinaya Pitaka\nand retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the\nMahayana\n(Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made\nsalvation\navailable to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in\nsutras\nthat the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced\ndisciples\n.\nThe trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.\nSUBSCRIBE\nAs Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of\nkarma\n(the\nbelief\nthat virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the\nefficacy\nof ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium\nce\n, a third major Buddhist movement,\nVajrayana\n(Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or\nEsoteric\n, Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by\ngnostic\nand\nmagical\ncurrents\npervasive\nat that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily.\nDespite these\nvicissitudes\n, Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali\nTipitaka\n(“Three Baskets”)—the\nSutta Pitaka\n(“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the\nVinaya Pitaka\n(“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the\nAbhidhamma Pitaka\n(“Basket of Special [Further] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and\nVajrayana\ntraditions have accepted as\nBuddhavachana\n(“the word of the Buddha”) many other\nsutras\nand\ntantras\n, along with extensive\ntreatises\nand commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at\nSarnath\nto the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or\nmetamorphosis\naround a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is\ndifferentiated\nfrom other religions.","attrs_markdown":"[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\nLogin\n\nhttps:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm\\_source=premium\\&utm\\_medium=nav-login-box\\&utm\\_campaign=evergreen\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue)\n\n[Ask the Chatbot](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/chatbot)\n\n[Games & Quizzes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/browse) [History & Society](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon) [Money](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/money) [Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/videos)\n\n[Songkran](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran)\n\n- [Introduction](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran)\n- [History of Songkran](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran#ref379301)\n- [Religious and cultural observances](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran#ref379302)\n- [Regional variations](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran#ref379303)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran\/additional-info)  [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Songkran)\n\n[Images & Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran\/images-videos)\n\n[![Songkran festival, Thai New Year](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/231619-004-E6AF1B1F\/Songkran-festival.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/231619-050-F98EAE97\/Songkran-festival.jpg)  [![Brahma](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/32\/82732-004-3F79AC40\/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/32\/82732-050-1D2E63D2\/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg)\n\n[![Celebrating Songkran, Thailand's Water Festival](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/179919-138-4AC3C461\/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand\/-195357)\n\n[![Lighting lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in China](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/48\/243048-004-5C32E82A\/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/48\/243048-050-CD0E1480\/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\n[Lifestyles & Social Issues](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Lifestyles-Social-Issues)    [Festivals & Holidays](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Festivals-Holidays)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![Songkran festival, Thai New Year](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/231619-050-F98EAE97\/Songkran-festival.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/231619-050-F98EAE97\/Songkran-festival.jpg)\n\n[Songkran festival, Thai New Year](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/231619-050-F98EAE97\/Songkran-festival.jpg) Thais revel in splashing water on one another to celebrate the New Year on Songkran.\n\n(more)\n\n# Songkran\nBuddhist festival\n\nHomework Help\n\nAlso known as: Chaul Chnam Thmey, Pbeemai, Poshui Jie, Thingyan[(Show More)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran)\n\nWritten by\n\n[Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica.](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/charles-preston\/13008388)\n\nCharles Preston\n\nFact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\n[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nQuick Summary\n\nAsk Anything\n\nTop Questions\n\n- What is Songkran?\n- Why is Songkran important in Buddhism?\n- When and where is Songkran usually celebrated?\n- How do people celebrate Songkran?\n- What special traditions or rituals are part of Songkran ceremonies?\n- How does Songkran reflect the values and beliefs of Buddhist culture?\n\nShow more\n\nShow less\n\n**Songkran**, splashy and water-filled [New Year festival](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/New-Year-festival) in [Thailand](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Thailand), and, by other names, in [Cambodia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Cambodia), [Myanmar](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Myanmar) (Burma), and [Laos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Laos) as well as in parts of [India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/India) and [China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/China). Songkran is celebrated approximately April 13–15 and marks the entrance of the sun into the astrological sign of Mesha (“ram,” or [Aries](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Aries), according to the Western [zodiac](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/zodiac)). Observances on this [holiday](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/holiday) include sprinkling water on [Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) statues, giving alms to Buddhist monks, honoring elders, and, most prominently, engaging in lively [community](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/community) festivities featuring ample spraying with water. In 2023 [UNESCO](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/UNESCO) inscribed Songkran on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.\n\n## History of Songkran\nThe Thai word *songkran* comes from the [Sanskrit](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Sanskrit-language) word *sankranti*, which indicates the passage of the sun into a new sign of the [Hindu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinduism) astrological system. The transition of the sun into the sign of Mesha (“ram”) is observed as a New Year festival in many parts of [South Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/South-Asia) and Southeast Asia. Cultural exchange spread the astrological system, along with the New Year holiday, from South Asia into Southeast Asia during the first millennium ce. The holiday could also have spread with [Theravada Buddhist](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Theravada) monks from [Sri Lanka](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Sri-Lanka) to Southeast Asia. The New Year is celebrated on the same date astrologically in Sri Lanka as Aluth Avurudda, in India’s [Tamil Nadu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Tamil-Nadu) state as Puthandu, and in [Kerala](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Kerala) state as [Vishu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vishu), giving [credence](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/credence) to a southern and seafaring origin. However, the same date on the lunisolar [calendar](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/calendar) also marks the New Year in the northeastern Indian state of [Assam](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Assam) as the [festival](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/feast-religion) [Bihu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Bihu) and in [West Bengal](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/West-Bengal) state and the neighboring country [Bangladesh](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Bangladesh) as Pohela Boishakh, making dissemination by an overland route possible as well. [Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinduism\/The-spread-of-Hinduism-in-Southeast-Asia-and-the-Pacific#ref8988), [as did Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68663), during the first millennium of the Common Era, so Songkran’s precise religious origins are unclear, but in the second millennium it began to take on more exclusively [Buddhist](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism) meanings and practices as [Theravada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Theravada) Buddhism rose in prominence under the [Khmer empire](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Khmer-Empire) (9th–15th century ce) and [Ayutthaya empire](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Thailand\/The-Ayutthayan-period-1351-1767#ref52675) (14th–18th century).\n\n[![Brahma](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/32\/82732-050-1D2E63D2\/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/32\/82732-050-1D2E63D2\/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg)\n\n[Brahma](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/32\/82732-050-1D2E63D2\/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg)Brahma, a major god of Hinduism, shown holding a rosary (or sceptre), an alms bowl, a bow, and the Rigveda, the oldest and foremost collection of ancient Hindu scriptures.\n\n(more)\n\nAccording to a popular [legend](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/legend), Songkran originated from a battle of wits in which a [precocious](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/precocious) youngster bested the deity [Brahma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Brahma-Hindu-god). In one version of the story, Brahma gave the learned youth, named Dhammapala, three riddles to answer with the wager that Dhammapala would cut off his own head if he could not answer them; otherwise, Brahma would cut off his own head. Dhammapala could not immediately answer them, but he had the unique ability to understand the language of birds and overheard a mother eagle tell the answers to her eaglets. Dhammapala then gave the correct answers to the riddles, and Brahma lopped off his own head. The head, however, was far too hot and would either burn the earth or dry up the ocean, so Brahma’s seven daughters (who represent the seven days of the week) hid it in a [celestial](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/celestial) cave. Every year as the sun enters the sign of the ram, one of the daughters removes the head to wash it with water and take it on a [procession](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/procession) around the celestial [Mount Meru](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Mount-Meru-mythology), which is located at the center of the universe, and a similar procession with attendant washing was supposedly celebrated on earth.\n\n## Religious and cultural observances\n[![Celebrating Songkran, Thailand's Water Festival](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/179919-138-4AC3C461\/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand\/-195357)\n\nCelebrating Songkran, Thailand's Water FestivalLearn about Songkran, a New Year festival in Thailand that is celebrated in April.\n\n(more)\n\n[See all videos for this article](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran\/images-videos)\n\nLike many New Year holidays around the world, Songkran combines religious observances, cultural and family rituals, and exuberant public festivities. In Thailand where the majority of the population practices [Theravada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Theravada) Buddhism, the holiday’s religious dimension involves sprinkling water on Buddha statues. The sprinkling of water on the Buddha (and on one another in the public festivities) symbolizes cleansing and washing away impurities and bad luck to start the New Year afresh. Celebrants might also perform merit-making activities—Buddhist practices meant to earn merit ([punya](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/punya)) for participants and their relatives (alive and deceased) to improve their [karma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/karma)—including various acts of generosity, such as giving [alms](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/alms) to Buddhist monastics or releasing captive animals. Within the family, the holiday is a time when water is sprinkled not only on Buddha statues but also on elders—often in their palms—as a way of blessing, and, in return, the elders bless the young. Cleaning the house and other spaces is also part of the holiday.\n\nThe public water fights complement with jubilant celebration the more subdued religious and family practices. Songkran’s community sprinklings are a fun and free-form festivity in which everyone can be splashed. People take to the streets with any means of carrying or spraying water—from bowls to squirt guns to hoses to elephants. April is one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand, so cooling water is a welcome [reprieve](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/reprieve) from the heat as well as a religiously significant cleansing. Participants also sometimes smear on one another a white chalky paste made with minerals and water called *din sor pong*. The holiday also includes other cultural festivities, such as music, parades, and ample food.\n\nAlso called:\n\nPoshui Jie, Chaul Chnam Thmey, Pbeemai, and Thingyan\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nRelated Topics:\n\n[New Year festival](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/New-Year-festival)\n\n[holiday](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/holiday)\n\n[April](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/April)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\n[See all related content](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Songkran)\n\n## Regional variations\n[![Lighting lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in China](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/48\/243048-050-CD0E1480\/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/48\/243048-050-CD0E1480\/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg)\n\n[Lighting lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in China](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/48\/243048-050-CD0E1480\/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg)Members of the Tai community in China's Yunnan province light lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in the city of Jinghong, April 13, 2019.\n\n(more)\n\nThis water-filled New Year festival is also celebrated in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and China, with some regional variations. It is celebrated among subsets of the [Tai](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tai-people) ethnic community that ranges throughout Southeast Asia from the Tai Khamti in India’s [Arunachal Pradesh](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Arunachal-Pradesh) state (who celebrate it as Sangken) to the Tai [ethnic group](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/ethnic-group) in China’s [Yunnan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Yunnan) province (who call it Poshui Jie \\[Chinese: “water-sprinkling festival”\\]) and incorporate the lighting of lanterns. In Cambodia the festival is called Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer: “entering the new year”) or Sangkranta, and it has many similarities to Thai Songkran but also includes the practice of building [stupas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/stupa) out of sand in Buddhist temples. The festival in Laos, called Pbeemai or Pi Mai, is celebrated in a similar fashion, with sand stupas and a lot of water splashing. In Myanmar the festival is called Thingyan, and its [myth](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/myth) of origin ascribes the duel of wits to Brahma and the god [Indra](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Indra), king of the gods. It is also thought that on Thingyan, Indra descends from heaven to record people’s good and bad deeds.\n\n[Charles Preston](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/charles-preston\/13008388)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nSongkran\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\n[Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism)\n\n- [Introduction](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism)\n- [The foundations of Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism#ref68648)\n  - [The cultural context](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism#ref68649)\n  \n  - [The life of the Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-life-of-the-Buddha)\n  \n  - [The Buddha’s message](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-life-of-the-Buddha#ref68650)\n    - [Suffering, impermanence, and no-self](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-life-of-the-Buddha#ref68651)\n    - [Karma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-life-of-the-Buddha#ref68652)\n    - [The Four Noble Truths](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Four-Noble-Truths)\n    - [The law of dependent origination](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Four-Noble-Truths#ref68654)\n    - [The Eightfold Path](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Four-Noble-Truths#ref68655)\n    - [Nirvana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Four-Noble-Truths#ref68656)\n- [Historical development](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Historical-development)\n  - [India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Historical-development#ref68658)\n    - [Expansion of Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Historical-development#ref68659)\n    - [Buddhism under the Guptas and Palas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Historical-development#ref68660)\n    - [The demise of Buddhism in India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India)\n    - [Contemporary revival](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68662)\n  \n  - [Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68663)\n    - [Sri Lanka](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68664)\n    - [Southeast Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Southeast-Asia)\n      - [Malaysia and Indonesia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Southeast-Asia#ref68666)\n      - [From Myanmar to the Mekong delta](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Southeast-Asia#ref68667)\n      - [Vietnam](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Southeast-Asia#ref68668)\n  \n  - [Central Asia and China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Central-Asia-and-China)\n    - [Central Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68670)\n    - [China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68671)\n      - [The early centuries](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68672)\n      - [Developments during the Tang dynasty (618–907)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68673)\n      - [Buddhism after the Tang](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68674)\n  \n  - [Korea and Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan)\n    - [Korea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan#ref68676)\n    - [Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan#ref68677)\n      - [Origins and introduction](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan#ref68678)\n      - [Nara and Heian periods](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan#ref68679)\n      - [New schools of the Kamakura period](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan#ref68680)\n      - [The premodern period to the present](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Korea-and-Japan#ref68681)\n  \n  - [Tibet, Mongolia, and the Himalayan kingdoms](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms)\n    - [Tibet](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms#ref68683)\n    - [Mongolia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms#ref68684)\n    - [The Himalayan kingdoms](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms#ref68685)\n  \n  - [Buddhism in the West](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-West)\n  \n  - [Sangha, society, and state](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68687)\n    - [Monastic institutions](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68688)\n    - [Sanghas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68689)\n    - [Internal organization of the sangha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68690)\n    - [Society and state](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68691)\n- [The major systems and their literature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature)\n  - [Theravada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68703)\n    - [Beliefs, doctrines, and practices](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68704)\n      - [Cosmology](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68705)\n      - [Classification of *dhammas*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68706)\n      - [Meditation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68707)\n      - [The stages leading to arhatship](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68708)\n      - [The Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68709)\n    - [The Pali canon (*Tipitaka*)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Pali-canon-Tipitaka)\n    - [Early noncanonical texts in Pali](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Pali-canon-Tipitaka#ref68714)\n    - [Later Theravada literature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/The-Pali-canon-Tipitaka#ref68715)\n  \n  - [Mahayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana)\n    - [Basic teachings](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68718)\n      - [The Buddha: divinization and multiplicity](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68719)\n      - [The bodhisattva ideal](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68720)\n      - [The three Buddha bodies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68721)\n      - [New revelations](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68722)\n    - [The Mahayana schools and their texts](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68723)\n      - [Madhyamika (Sanlun\/Sanron)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mahayana#ref68724)\n      - [Yogachara\/Vijnanavada (Faxiang\/Hossō)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Yogachara-Vijnanavada-Faxiang-Hosso)\n      - [Avatamsaka (Huayan\/Kegon)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Yogachara-Vijnanavada-Faxiang-Hosso#ref68726)\n      - [Tiantai\/Tendai](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Yogachara-Vijnanavada-Faxiang-Hosso#ref68727)\n      - [Pure Land](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Pure-Land)\n      - [Nichiren](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Pure-Land#ref68729)\n      - [Dhyana (Chan\/Zen)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Pure-Land#ref68730)\n  \n  - [Vajrayana (Tantric or Esoteric) Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism)\n    - [Vajrayana Buddhism in India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68732)\n      - [Origins](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68733)\n      - [Vajrayana literature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68734)\n    - [Vajrayana Schools in Tibet](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68735)\n      - [Rnying-ma-pa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Rnying-ma-pa)\n      - [Sa-skya-pa, Bka’-brgyud-pa, and related schools](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68737)\n      - [The Bka’-gdams-pa and Dge-lugs-pa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68738)\n    - [Vajrayana traditions in China and Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68739)\n      - [Zhenyan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68740)\n      - [Shingon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68741)\n- [Mythology](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mythology)\n  - [Shakyamuni in literature and art](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mythology#ref68743)\n    - [Traditional literary accounts](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mythology#ref68744)\n    - [Shakyamuni in art and archaeology](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Mythology#ref68745)\n  \n  - [Celestial buddhas and bodhisattvas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas)\n    - [Literary references](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68747)\n    - [Art and archaeology](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68748)\n  \n  - [Recurrent mythic themes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68749)\n    - [Mythic figures in the Three Worlds cosmology](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68751)\n    - [Local gods and demons](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Local-gods-and-demons)\n    - [Female deities](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Local-gods-and-demons#ref68753)\n    - [Kings and yogis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Local-gods-and-demons#ref68754)\n- [Popular religious practices](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices)\n  - [Calendric rites and pilgrimage](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices#ref68756)\n    - [*Uposatha*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices#ref68757)\n    - [Anniversaries](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices#ref253489)\n    - [*Vassa*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices#ref68758)\n    - [Ullambana festival](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices#ref68759)\n    - [New Year and harvest festivals](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Popular-religious-practices#ref68760)\n    - [Buddhist pilgrimage](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage)\n  \n  - [Rites of passage and protective rites](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68762)\n    - [Initiation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68763)\n      - [Ordination](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68764)\n      - [Bodhisattva vows](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68765)\n      - [*Abhisheka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68766)\n    - [Funeral rites](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68767)\n    - [Protective rites](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68768)\n- [Buddhism in the contemporary world](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-contemporary-world)\n  - [Trends since the 19th century](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-contemporary-world#ref68770)\n  \n  - [Challenges and opportunities](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/Buddhism-in-the-contemporary-world#ref68771)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/additional-info)  [Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Buddhism)\n\n[Images & Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/images-videos)\n\n[![Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/61\/218561-004-C49CAF45\/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/61\/218561-050-47A98FB5\/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg)  [![Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/64\/58864-004-BD3EF384\/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/64\/58864-050-F0D354C3\/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)  [![dream of Maya presaging the Buddha's birth](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/10\/13510-004-274CE1BE\/Dream-Maha-Maya-birth-state-marble-relief.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/10\/13510-004-274CE1BE\/Dream-Maha-Maya-birth-state-marble-relief.jpg)  [![Birth of the Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/38\/257938-004-029B510A\/Birth-of-the-Buddha-stone-figurine-Wesak-Vesak.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/38\/257938-050-C1132B75\/Birth-of-the-Buddha-stone-figurine-Wesak-Vesak.jpg)  [![Teaching Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/50\/60250-004-C1EE48BD\/Fresco-Preaching-Buddha-Wet-kyi-Pagan-Gu-byauk-gyi-1113.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/50\/60250-050-1BC7CED5\/Fresco-Preaching-Buddha-Wet-kyi-Pagan-Gu-byauk-gyi-1113.jpg)  [![Ashoka's empire c. 250 bce](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/01\/1601-004-D5D8F3C2\/empire-India-Ashoka-extent-c-250-bce.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/01\/1601-050-B421F558\/empire-India-Ashoka-extent-c-250-bce.jpg)  [![Ashokan pillar](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/74400-004-B5827290\/Inscription-Ashokan-pillar-Lauriya-Nandangarh-Bihar-India.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/74400-050-24D9D79C\/Inscription-Ashokan-pillar-Lauriya-Nandangarh-Bihar-India.jpg)  [![Map showing the extent of the Gupta empire at the end of the 4th century.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/03\/1603-004-A0857319\/Gupta-empire.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/03\/1603-050-E6F261E3\/Gupta-empire.jpg)  [![Great Stupa](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/36\/155836-004-3D2A455F\/Great-Stupa-Sanchi-India.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/36\/155836-050-89E7AA9E\/Great-Stupa-Sanchi-India.jpg)  [![Nalanda: Mahavihara](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/09\/156109-004-7D0E1A8A\/ruins-nalanda-university-bihar-india.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/09\/156109-050-7E12F0F9\/ruins-nalanda-university-bihar-india.jpg)\n\nAt a Glance\n\n[![Buddhism: temple in Kunming, China](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/70\/75470-050-DA87B94B\/Altar-Kunming-temple-Buddhist-Yunnan-China.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/Buddhism)\n\n[Buddhism summary](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/Buddhism)\n\nQuizzes\n\n[![Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/05\/168805-131-E093AF38\/Buddha-Temple-mural-founder-Thailand-religions.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/buddha-and-buddhism)\n\n[Buddha and Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/buddha-and-buddhism)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\n[Philosophy & Religion](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Philosophy-Religion)    [Philosophical Issues](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Philosophical-Issues)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/61\/218561-050-47A98FB5\/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/61\/218561-050-47A98FB5\/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg)\n\n[Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/61\/218561-050-47A98FB5\/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg) Seated Buddha, bronze statue, 15th century, Thailand.\n\n(more)\n\n# Buddhism\nreligion\n\nHomework Help\n\nWritten by\n\n[Donald S. Lopez Donald S. Lopez, Jr. is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan. His books include *Elaborations on Emptiness: Uses of the...*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/donald-s-lopez\/4949)\n\nDonald S. Lopez[All](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/additional-info#contributors)\n\nFact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\n[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nQuick Summary\n\nAsk Anything\n\n## News •\n[Monthslong meditation on impermanence at a remote California Zen retreat meets a real-life fire](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/news\/83184\/57915836e1fd8dc91278ce1e2f929bfc)  • Mar. 31, 2026, 3:23 PM ET (AP)\n\nShow less\n\n**Buddhism**, [religion](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/religion) and [philosophy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/philosophy) that developed from the teachings of the [Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern [India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/India) between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries bce (before the Common Era). Spreading from [India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/India) to [Central](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/history-of-Central-Asia-102306) and [Southeast Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Southeast-Asia), [China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/China), [Korea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Korea), and [Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Japan), Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of [Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Asia), and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West.\n\nAncient Buddhist [scripture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/scripture) and [doctrine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/doctrine) developed in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in [Pali](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Pali-language) and [Sanskrit](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Sanskrit-language). In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term *[dharma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/dharmas)* (Pali: *dhamma*), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term *dharma* as it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary [sacred](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sacred) language is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as [Tibetan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tibetan-language) or [Chinese](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Chinese-languages).\n\n## The foundations of Buddhism\n## The cultural context\n[![Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/64\/58864-050-F0D354C3\/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/64\/58864-050-F0D354C3\/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)\n\n[Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/64\/58864-050-F0D354C3\/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)Head of Buddha in gray schist, 1st–3rd century ce, showing Hellenistic influences, from Gandhara, northwestern Pakistan; in the Guimet Museum, Paris.\n\n(more)\n\nBuddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce, a period of great [social change](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/social-change) and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce. Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce). At this time in India, there was much discontent with [Brahmanic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Brahman-social-class) ([Hindu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinduism) high-caste) [sacrifice](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sacrifice-religion) and [ritual](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/ritual). In northwestern India there were [ascetics](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/ascetics) who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the [Vedas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Veda) (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the [Upanishads](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Upanishad), a new emphasis on [renunciation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/asceticism) and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation.\n\nA proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the [Samkhya](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Samkhya) school of [Hinduism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinduism) founded by [Kapila](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Kapila)) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the [Ajivikas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Ajivika) (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate (*niyati*), and the [Jains](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Jainism), who stressed the need to free the [soul](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/soul-religion-and-philosophy) from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that [constitute](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/constitute) the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul.\n\nDespite the bewildering variety of religious [communities](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/communities), many shared the same vocabulary—*nirvana* (transcendent freedom), *[atman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/atman)* (“self” or “soul”), *yoga* (“union”), *karma* (“causality”), *Tathagata* (“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”), *buddha* (“enlightened one”), *samsara* (“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and *dhamma* (“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working [ascetic](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/ascetic).\n\n[![Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/05\/168805-131-E093AF38\/Buddha-Temple-mural-founder-Thailand-religions.jpg) Britannica Quiz Buddha and Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/buddha-and-buddhism)\n\nBuddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was [constituted](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/constituted) by the presence of a [charismatic](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/charismatic) teacher, by the teachings this leader [promulgated](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/promulgated), and by a [community](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/community) of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the [Triratna](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Triratna)—i.e., the “Three Jewels” of [Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (the teacher), [dharma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/dharma-religious-concept) (the teaching), and [sangha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sangha) (the community).\n\nIn the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the [Hinayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinayana) (Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more [conservative](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/conservative) group, which included what is now called the [Theravada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Theravada) (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the [*Sutta Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Sutta-Pitaka) and the [*Vinaya Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vinaya-Pitaka) and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the [Mahayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Mahayana) (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made [salvation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/salvation-religion) available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in [sutras](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sutra) that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced [disciples](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/disciples).\n\nExplore Britannica Premium\\!\n\nThe trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=redesign-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\nAs Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of [karma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/karma) (the [belief](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/belief) that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the [efficacy](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/efficacy) of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce, a third major Buddhist movement, [Vajrayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vajrayana) (Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or [Esoteric](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/Esoteric), Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by [gnostic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/gnosticism) and [magical](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/magic-supernatural-phenomenon) currents [pervasive](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/pervasive) at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily.\n\nKey People:\n\n[Wendi](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Wendi-emperor-of-Sui-dynasty)\n\n[Jayavarman VII](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jayavarman-VII)\n\n[Xuanzang](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Xuanzang)\n\n[Faxian](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Faxian)\n\n[Taishi Shōtoku](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Taishi-Shotoku)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nRelated Topics:\n\n[moso biwa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/moso-biwa)\n\n[Satyasiddhi](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Satyasiddhi)\n\n[rag-dung](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/rag-dung)\n\n[buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/buddha-Buddhist-title)\n\n[wat](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/wat-Thai-temple)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\n[See all related content](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Buddhism)\n\nDespite these [vicissitudes](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/vicissitudes), Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali [*Tipitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tipitaka) (“Three Baskets”)—the *Sutta Pitaka* (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the [*Vinaya Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vinaya-Pitaka) (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the [*Abhidhamma Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Abhidhamma-Pitaka) (“Basket of Special \\[Further\\] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and [Vajrayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vajrayana) traditions have accepted as [Buddhavachana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhavachana) (“the word of the Buddha”) many other [sutras](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sutra) and [tantras](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tantra-religious-texts), along with extensive [treatises](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/treatises) and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at [Sarnath](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Sarnath) to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or [metamorphosis](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/metamorphosis) around a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is [differentiated](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/differentiated) from other religions.\n\n[Giuseppe Tucci](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/Giuseppe-Tucci\/2998) [Joseph M. Kitagawa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/Joseph-M-Kitagawa\/1598) [Frank E. Reynolds](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/Frank-E-Reynolds\/2444)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nBuddhism\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\nLoad Next Page\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nPreston, Charles. \"Songkran\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 10 Jun. 2024, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran. Accessed 1 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Songkran>\n\n![](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=6035486&cj=1)\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nLopez, Donald S., Reynolds, Frank E., Tucci, Giuseppe, Snellgrove, David Llewelyn, Kitagawa, Joseph M., Nakamura, Hajime. \"Buddhism\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 12 Nov. 2025, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism. Accessed 1 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhism>\n\nExternal Websites\n\n- [CORE - Early Buddhism and Gandhara](https:\/\/core.ac.uk\/download\/pdf\/42547388.pdf)\n- [Age of the Sage - Transmitting the Wisdoms of the Ages - Buddhism](https:\/\/www.age-of-the-sage.org\/buddhism\/index.html)\n- [World History Encyclopedia - Buddhism](https:\/\/www.worldhistory.org\/buddhism\/)\n- [IndiaNetzone - Buddhism](https:\/\/www.indianetzone.com\/5\/buddhism.htm)\n- [Stanford University - Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies - Introduction to Buddhism](https:\/\/spice.fsi.stanford.edu\/docs\/introduction_to_buddhism)\n- [Asia Society - The Origins of Buddhism](https:\/\/asiasociety.org\/education\/origins-buddhism)\n- [Brown University Library - Basic Concepts of Tibetan Buddhism](https:\/\/library.brown.edu\/cds\/BuddhistTempleArt\/buddhism.html)\n- [Cultural India - Indian Religions - Buddhism](https:\/\/www.culturalindia.net\/indian-religions\/buddhism.html)\n\nBritannica Websites\n\nArticles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.\n\n- [Buddhism - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https:\/\/kids.britannica.com\/kids\/article\/Buddhism\/352887)\n- [Buddhism - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https:\/\/kids.britannica.com\/students\/article\/Buddhism\/273390)","attrs_readable_markdown":"## News •\n**Buddhism**, [religion](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/religion) and [philosophy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/philosophy) that developed from the teachings of the [Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern [India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/India) between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries bce (before the Common Era). Spreading from [India](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/India) to [Central](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/history-of-Central-Asia-102306) and [Southeast Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Southeast-Asia), [China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/China), [Korea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Korea), and [Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Japan), Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of [Asia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Asia), and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West.\n\nAncient Buddhist [scripture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/scripture) and [doctrine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/doctrine) developed in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in [Pali](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Pali-language) and [Sanskrit](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Sanskrit-language). In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term *[dharma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/dharmas)* (Pali: *dhamma*), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term *dharma* as it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary [sacred](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sacred) language is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as [Tibetan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tibetan-language) or [Chinese](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Chinese-languages).\n\n## The foundations of Buddhism\n## The cultural context\n[Buddha](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/64\/58864-050-F0D354C3\/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)Head of Buddha in gray schist, 1st–3rd century ce, showing Hellenistic influences, from Gandhara, northwestern Pakistan; in the Guimet Museum, Paris.\n\nBuddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce, a period of great [social change](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/social-change) and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce. Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce). At this time in India, there was much discontent with [Brahmanic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Brahman-social-class) ([Hindu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinduism) high-caste) [sacrifice](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sacrifice-religion) and [ritual](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/ritual). In northwestern India there were [ascetics](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/ascetics) who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the [Vedas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Veda) (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the [Upanishads](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Upanishad), a new emphasis on [renunciation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/asceticism) and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation.\n\nA proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the [Samkhya](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Samkhya) school of [Hinduism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinduism) founded by [Kapila](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Kapila)) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the [Ajivikas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Ajivika) (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate (*niyati*), and the [Jains](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Jainism), who stressed the need to free the [soul](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/soul-religion-and-philosophy) from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that [constitute](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/constitute) the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul.\n\nDespite the bewildering variety of religious [communities](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/communities), many shared the same vocabulary—*nirvana* (transcendent freedom), *[atman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/atman)* (“self” or “soul”), *yoga* (“union”), *karma* (“causality”), *Tathagata* (“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”), *buddha* (“enlightened one”), *samsara* (“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and *dhamma* (“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working [ascetic](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/ascetic).\n\n[![Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/05\/168805-131-E093AF38\/Buddha-Temple-mural-founder-Thailand-religions.jpg) Britannica Quiz Buddha and Buddhism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/buddha-and-buddhism)\n\nBuddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was [constituted](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/constituted) by the presence of a [charismatic](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/charismatic) teacher, by the teachings this leader [promulgated](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/promulgated), and by a [community](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/community) of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the [Triratna](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Triratna)—i.e., the “Three Jewels” of [Buddha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (the teacher), [dharma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/dharma-religious-concept) (the teaching), and [sangha](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sangha) (the community).\n\nIn the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the [Hinayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hinayana) (Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more [conservative](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/conservative) group, which included what is now called the [Theravada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Theravada) (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the [*Sutta Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Sutta-Pitaka) and the [*Vinaya Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vinaya-Pitaka) and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the [Mahayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Mahayana) (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made [salvation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/salvation-religion) available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in [sutras](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sutra) that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced [disciples](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/disciples).\n\nThe trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=redesign-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\nAs Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of [karma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/karma) (the [belief](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/belief) that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the [efficacy](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/efficacy) of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce, a third major Buddhist movement, [Vajrayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vajrayana) (Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or [Esoteric](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/Esoteric), Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by [gnostic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/gnosticism) and [magical](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/magic-supernatural-phenomenon) currents [pervasive](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/pervasive) at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily.\n\nDespite these [vicissitudes](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/vicissitudes), Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali [*Tipitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tipitaka) (“Three Baskets”)—the *Sutta Pitaka* (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the [*Vinaya Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vinaya-Pitaka) (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the [*Abhidhamma Pitaka*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Abhidhamma-Pitaka) (“Basket of Special \\[Further\\] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and [Vajrayana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Vajrayana) traditions have accepted as [Buddhavachana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Buddhavachana) (“the word of the Buddha”) many other [sutras](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/sutra) and [tantras](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tantra-religious-texts), along with extensive [treatises](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/treatises) and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at [Sarnath](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Sarnath) to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or [metamorphosis](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/metamorphosis) around a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is [differentiated](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/differentiated) from other religions.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	News • Buddhism , religion and philosophy that developed from the teachings of the Buddha (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern India between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries bce (before the Common Era). Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia , China , Korea , and Japan , Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of Asia , and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West. Ancient Buddhist scripture and doctrine developed in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in Pali and Sanskrit . In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term dharma (Pali: dhamma ), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term dharma as it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary sacred language is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as Tibetan or Chinese . The foundations of Buddhism The cultural context Buddha Head of Buddha in gray schist, 1st–3rd century ce , showing Hellenistic influences, from Gandhara, northwestern Pakistan; in the Guimet Museum, Paris. Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce , a period of great social change and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce . Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce ). At this time in India, there was much discontent with Brahmanic ( Hindu high-caste) sacrifice and ritual . In northwestern India there were ascetics who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the Vedas (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the Upanishads , a new emphasis on renunciation and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation. A proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the Samkhya school of Hinduism founded by Kapila ) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the Ajivikas (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate ( niyati ), and the Jains , who stressed the need to free the soul from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that constitute the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul. Despite the bewildering variety of religious communities , many shared the same vocabulary— nirvana (transcendent freedom), atman (“self” or “soul”), yoga (“union”), karma (“causality”), Tathagata (“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”), buddha (“enlightened one”), samsara (“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and dhamma (“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working ascetic . Britannica Quiz Buddha and Buddhism Buddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was constituted by the presence of a charismatic teacher, by the teachings this leader promulgated , and by a community of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the Triratna —i.e., the “Three Jewels” of Buddha (the teacher), dharma (the teaching), and sangha (the community). In the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the Hinayana (Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more conservative group, which included what is now called the Theravada (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the Sutta Pitaka and the Vinaya Pitaka and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the Mahayana (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made salvation available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in sutras that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced disciples . The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners. SUBSCRIBE As Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of karma (the belief that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the efficacy of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce , a third major Buddhist movement, Vajrayana (Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or Esoteric , Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by gnostic and magical currents pervasive at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily. Despite these vicissitudes , Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali Tipitaka (“Three Baskets”)—the Sutta Pitaka (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the Vinaya Pitaka (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (“Basket of Special [Further] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions have accepted as Buddhavachana (“the word of the Buddha”) many other sutras and tantras , along with extensive treatises and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at Sarnath to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or metamorphosis around a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is differentiated from other religions.
Markdown	[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) Login https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm\_source=premium\&utm\_medium=nav-login-box\&utm\_campaign=evergreen [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue) [Ask the Chatbot](https://www.britannica.com/chatbot) [Games & Quizzes](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/browse) [History & Society](https://www.britannica.com/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https://www.britannica.com/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https://www.britannica.com/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https://www.britannica.com/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https://www.britannica.com/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https://www.britannica.com/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https://www.britannica.com/procon) [Money](https://www.britannica.com/money) [Videos](https://www.britannica.com/videos) [Songkran](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran) - [Introduction](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran) - [History of Songkran](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran#ref379301) - [Religious and cultural observances](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran#ref379302) - [Regional variations](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran#ref379303) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Songkran) [Images & Videos](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran/images-videos) [![Songkran festival, Thai New Year](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/231619-004-E6AF1B1F/Songkran-festival.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/231619-050-F98EAE97/Songkran-festival.jpg) [![Brahma](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/82732-004-3F79AC40/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/82732-050-1D2E63D2/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg) [![Celebrating Songkran, Thailand's Water Festival](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/179919-138-4AC3C461/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand/-195357) [![Lighting lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in China](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/243048-004-5C32E82A/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/243048-050-CD0E1480/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Lifestyles & Social Issues](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues) [Festivals & Holidays](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Festivals-Holidays) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Songkran festival, Thai New Year](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/231619-050-F98EAE97/Songkran-festival.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/231619-050-F98EAE97/Songkran-festival.jpg) [Songkran festival, Thai New Year](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/231619-050-F98EAE97/Songkran-festival.jpg) Thais revel in splashing water on one another to celebrate the New Year on Songkran. (more) # Songkran Buddhist festival Homework Help Also known as: Chaul Chnam Thmey, Pbeemai, Poshui Jie, Thingyan[(Show More)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran) Written by [Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica.](https://www.britannica.com/editor/charles-preston/13008388) Charles Preston Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors [History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions - What is Songkran? - Why is Songkran important in Buddhism? - When and where is Songkran usually celebrated? - How do people celebrate Songkran? - What special traditions or rituals are part of Songkran ceremonies? - How does Songkran reflect the values and beliefs of Buddhist culture? Show more Show less Songkran, splashy and water-filled [New Year festival](https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Year-festival) in [Thailand](https://www.britannica.com/place/Thailand), and, by other names, in [Cambodia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Cambodia), [Myanmar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Myanmar) (Burma), and [Laos](https://www.britannica.com/place/Laos) as well as in parts of [India](https://www.britannica.com/place/India) and [China](https://www.britannica.com/place/China). Songkran is celebrated approximately April 13–15 and marks the entrance of the sun into the astrological sign of Mesha (“ram,” or [Aries](https://www.britannica.com/place/Aries), according to the Western [zodiac](https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac)). Observances on this [holiday](https://www.britannica.com/topic/holiday) include sprinkling water on [Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) statues, giving alms to Buddhist monks, honoring elders, and, most prominently, engaging in lively [community](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community) festivities featuring ample spraying with water. In 2023 [UNESCO](https://www.britannica.com/topic/UNESCO) inscribed Songkran on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. ## History of Songkran The Thai word songkran comes from the [Sanskrit](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sanskrit-language) word sankranti, which indicates the passage of the sun into a new sign of the [Hindu](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism) astrological system. The transition of the sun into the sign of Mesha (“ram”) is observed as a New Year festival in many parts of [South Asia](https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Asia) and Southeast Asia. Cultural exchange spread the astrological system, along with the New Year holiday, from South Asia into Southeast Asia during the first millennium ce. The holiday could also have spread with [Theravada Buddhist](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theravada) monks from [Sri Lanka](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sri-Lanka) to Southeast Asia. The New Year is celebrated on the same date astrologically in Sri Lanka as Aluth Avurudda, in India’s [Tamil Nadu](https://www.britannica.com/place/Tamil-Nadu) state as Puthandu, and in [Kerala](https://www.britannica.com/place/Kerala) state as [Vishu](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vishu), giving [credence](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credence) to a southern and seafaring origin. However, the same date on the lunisolar [calendar](https://www.britannica.com/science/calendar) also marks the New Year in the northeastern Indian state of [Assam](https://www.britannica.com/place/Assam) as the [festival](https://www.britannica.com/topic/feast-religion) [Bihu](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bihu) and in [West Bengal](https://www.britannica.com/place/West-Bengal) state and the neighboring country [Bangladesh](https://www.britannica.com/place/Bangladesh) as Pohela Boishakh, making dissemination by an overland route possible as well. [Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism/The-spread-of-Hinduism-in-Southeast-Asia-and-the-Pacific#ref8988), [as did Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68663), during the first millennium of the Common Era, so Songkran’s precise religious origins are unclear, but in the second millennium it began to take on more exclusively [Buddhist](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism) meanings and practices as [Theravada](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theravada) Buddhism rose in prominence under the [Khmer empire](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Khmer-Empire) (9th–15th century ce) and [Ayutthaya empire](https://www.britannica.com/place/Thailand/The-Ayutthayan-period-1351-1767#ref52675) (14th–18th century). [![Brahma](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/82732-050-1D2E63D2/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/82732-050-1D2E63D2/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg) [Brahma](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/82732-050-1D2E63D2/Brahma-rosary-alms-bowl-Hinduism-bow-collection.jpg)Brahma, a major god of Hinduism, shown holding a rosary (or sceptre), an alms bowl, a bow, and the Rigveda, the oldest and foremost collection of ancient Hindu scriptures. (more) According to a popular [legend](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legend), Songkran originated from a battle of wits in which a [precocious](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precocious) youngster bested the deity [Brahma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahma-Hindu-god). In one version of the story, Brahma gave the learned youth, named Dhammapala, three riddles to answer with the wager that Dhammapala would cut off his own head if he could not answer them; otherwise, Brahma would cut off his own head. Dhammapala could not immediately answer them, but he had the unique ability to understand the language of birds and overheard a mother eagle tell the answers to her eaglets. Dhammapala then gave the correct answers to the riddles, and Brahma lopped off his own head. The head, however, was far too hot and would either burn the earth or dry up the ocean, so Brahma’s seven daughters (who represent the seven days of the week) hid it in a [celestial](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/celestial) cave. Every year as the sun enters the sign of the ram, one of the daughters removes the head to wash it with water and take it on a [procession](https://www.britannica.com/topic/procession) around the celestial [Mount Meru](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mount-Meru-mythology), which is located at the center of the universe, and a similar procession with attendant washing was supposedly celebrated on earth. ## Religious and cultural observances [![Celebrating Songkran, Thailand's Water Festival](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/179919-138-4AC3C461/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/Songkran-New-Year-Thailand/-195357) Celebrating Songkran, Thailand's Water FestivalLearn about Songkran, a New Year festival in Thailand that is celebrated in April. (more) [See all videos for this article](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran/images-videos) Like many New Year holidays around the world, Songkran combines religious observances, cultural and family rituals, and exuberant public festivities. In Thailand where the majority of the population practices [Theravada](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theravada) Buddhism, the holiday’s religious dimension involves sprinkling water on Buddha statues. The sprinkling of water on the Buddha (and on one another in the public festivities) symbolizes cleansing and washing away impurities and bad luck to start the New Year afresh. Celebrants might also perform merit-making activities—Buddhist practices meant to earn merit ([punya](https://www.britannica.com/topic/punya)) for participants and their relatives (alive and deceased) to improve their [karma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/karma)—including various acts of generosity, such as giving [alms](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/alms) to Buddhist monastics or releasing captive animals. Within the family, the holiday is a time when water is sprinkled not only on Buddha statues but also on elders—often in their palms—as a way of blessing, and, in return, the elders bless the young. Cleaning the house and other spaces is also part of the holiday. The public water fights complement with jubilant celebration the more subdued religious and family practices. Songkran’s community sprinklings are a fun and free-form festivity in which everyone can be splashed. People take to the streets with any means of carrying or spraying water—from bowls to squirt guns to hoses to elephants. April is one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand, so cooling water is a welcome [reprieve](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/reprieve) from the heat as well as a religiously significant cleansing. Participants also sometimes smear on one another a white chalky paste made with minerals and water called din sor pong. The holiday also includes other cultural festivities, such as music, parades, and ample food. Also called: Poshui Jie, Chaul Chnam Thmey, Pbeemai, and Thingyan (Show more) Related Topics: [New Year festival](https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Year-festival) [holiday](https://www.britannica.com/topic/holiday) [April](https://www.britannica.com/topic/April) (Show more) [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Songkran) ## Regional variations [![Lighting lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in China](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/243048-050-CD0E1480/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/243048-050-CD0E1480/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg) [Lighting lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in China](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/243048-050-CD0E1480/Two-people-releasing-a-sky-lantern-to-celebrate-the-annual-Songkran.jpg)Members of the Tai community in China's Yunnan province light lanterns for Songkran (Poshui Jie) in the city of Jinghong, April 13, 2019. (more) This water-filled New Year festival is also celebrated in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and China, with some regional variations. It is celebrated among subsets of the [Tai](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tai-people) ethnic community that ranges throughout Southeast Asia from the Tai Khamti in India’s [Arunachal Pradesh](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arunachal-Pradesh) state (who celebrate it as Sangken) to the Tai [ethnic group](https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethnic-group) in China’s [Yunnan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Yunnan) province (who call it Poshui Jie \[Chinese: “water-sprinkling festival”\]) and incorporate the lighting of lanterns. In Cambodia the festival is called Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer: “entering the new year”) or Sangkranta, and it has many similarities to Thai Songkran but also includes the practice of building [stupas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/stupa) out of sand in Buddhist temples. The festival in Laos, called Pbeemai or Pi Mai, is celebrated in a similar fashion, with sand stupas and a lot of water splashing. In Myanmar the festival is called Thingyan, and its [myth](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myth) of origin ascribes the duel of wits to Brahma and the god [Indra](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indra), king of the gods. It is also thought that on Thingyan, Indra descends from heaven to record people’s good and bad deeds. [Charles Preston](https://www.britannica.com/editor/charles-preston/13008388) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)Britannica AI chevron\_right Songkran close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. [Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism) - [Introduction](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism) - [The foundations of Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism#ref68648) - [The cultural context](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism#ref68649) - [The life of the Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-life-of-the-Buddha) - [The Buddha’s message](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-life-of-the-Buddha#ref68650) - [Suffering, impermanence, and no-self](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-life-of-the-Buddha#ref68651) - [Karma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-life-of-the-Buddha#ref68652) - [The Four Noble Truths](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Four-Noble-Truths) - [The law of dependent origination](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Four-Noble-Truths#ref68654) - [The Eightfold Path](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Four-Noble-Truths#ref68655) - [Nirvana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Four-Noble-Truths#ref68656) - [Historical development](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Historical-development) - [India](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Historical-development#ref68658) - [Expansion of Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Historical-development#ref68659) - [Buddhism under the Guptas and Palas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Historical-development#ref68660) - [The demise of Buddhism in India](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India) - [Contemporary revival](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68662) - [Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68663) - [Sri Lanka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-demise-of-Buddhism-in-India#ref68664) - [Southeast Asia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Southeast-Asia) - [Malaysia and Indonesia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Southeast-Asia#ref68666) - [From Myanmar to the Mekong delta](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Southeast-Asia#ref68667) - [Vietnam](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Southeast-Asia#ref68668) - [Central Asia and China](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Central-Asia-and-China) - [Central Asia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68670) - [China](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68671) - [The early centuries](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68672) - [Developments during the Tang dynasty (618–907)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68673) - [Buddhism after the Tang](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Central-Asia-and-China#ref68674) - [Korea and Japan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan) - [Korea](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan#ref68676) - [Japan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan#ref68677) - [Origins and introduction](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan#ref68678) - [Nara and Heian periods](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan#ref68679) - [New schools of the Kamakura period](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan#ref68680) - [The premodern period to the present](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan#ref68681) - [Tibet, Mongolia, and the Himalayan kingdoms](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms) - [Tibet](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms#ref68683) - [Mongolia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms#ref68684) - [The Himalayan kingdoms](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Tibet-Mongolia-and-the-Himalayan-kingdoms#ref68685) - [Buddhism in the West](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-West) - [Sangha, society, and state](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68687) - [Monastic institutions](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68688) - [Sanghas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68689) - [Internal organization of the sangha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68690) - [Society and state](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-West#ref68691) - [The major systems and their literature](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature) - [Theravada](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68703) - [Beliefs, doctrines, and practices](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68704) - [Cosmology](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68705) - [Classification of dhammas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68706) - [Meditation](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68707) - [The stages leading to arhatship](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68708) - [The Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-major-systems-and-their-literature#ref68709) - [The Pali canon (Tipitaka)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Pali-canon-Tipitaka) - [Early noncanonical texts in Pali](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Pali-canon-Tipitaka#ref68714) - [Later Theravada literature](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/The-Pali-canon-Tipitaka#ref68715) - [Mahayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana) - [Basic teachings](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68718) - [The Buddha: divinization and multiplicity](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68719) - [The bodhisattva ideal](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68720) - [The three Buddha bodies](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68721) - [New revelations](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68722) - [The Mahayana schools and their texts](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68723) - [Madhyamika (Sanlun/Sanron)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mahayana#ref68724) - [Yogachara/Vijnanavada (Faxiang/Hossō)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Yogachara-Vijnanavada-Faxiang-Hosso) - [Avatamsaka (Huayan/Kegon)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Yogachara-Vijnanavada-Faxiang-Hosso#ref68726) - [Tiantai/Tendai](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Yogachara-Vijnanavada-Faxiang-Hosso#ref68727) - [Pure Land](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Pure-Land) - [Nichiren](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Pure-Land#ref68729) - [Dhyana (Chan/Zen)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Pure-Land#ref68730) - [Vajrayana (Tantric or Esoteric) Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism) - [Vajrayana Buddhism in India](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68732) - [Origins](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68733) - [Vajrayana literature](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68734) - [Vajrayana Schools in Tibet](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism#ref68735) - [Rnying-ma-pa](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Rnying-ma-pa) - [Sa-skya-pa, Bka’-brgyud-pa, and related schools](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68737) - [The Bka’-gdams-pa and Dge-lugs-pa](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68738) - [Vajrayana traditions in China and Japan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68739) - [Zhenyan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68740) - [Shingon](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Rnying-ma-pa#ref68741) - [Mythology](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mythology) - [Shakyamuni in literature and art](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mythology#ref68743) - [Traditional literary accounts](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mythology#ref68744) - [Shakyamuni in art and archaeology](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Mythology#ref68745) - [Celestial buddhas and bodhisattvas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas) - [Literary references](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68747) - [Art and archaeology](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68748) - [Recurrent mythic themes](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68749) - [Mythic figures in the Three Worlds cosmology](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Celestial-buddhas-and-bodhisattvas#ref68751) - [Local gods and demons](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Local-gods-and-demons) - [Female deities](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Local-gods-and-demons#ref68753) - [Kings and yogis](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Local-gods-and-demons#ref68754) - [Popular religious practices](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices) - [Calendric rites and pilgrimage](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices#ref68756) - [Uposatha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices#ref68757) - [Anniversaries](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices#ref253489) - [Vassa](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices#ref68758) - [Ullambana festival](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices#ref68759) - [New Year and harvest festivals](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Popular-religious-practices#ref68760) - [Buddhist pilgrimage](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage) - [Rites of passage and protective rites](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68762) - [Initiation](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68763) - [Ordination](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68764) - [Bodhisattva vows](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68765) - [Abhisheka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68766) - [Funeral rites](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68767) - [Protective rites](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhist-pilgrimage#ref68768) - [Buddhism in the contemporary world](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-contemporary-world) - [Trends since the 19th century](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-contemporary-world#ref68770) - [Challenges and opportunities](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Buddhism-in-the-contemporary-world#ref68771) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/additional-info) [Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Buddhism) [Images & Videos](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/images-videos) [![Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/218561-004-C49CAF45/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/218561-050-47A98FB5/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg) [![Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/64/58864-004-BD3EF384/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/64/58864-050-F0D354C3/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg) [![dream of Maya presaging the Buddha's birth](https://cdn.britannica.com/10/13510-004-274CE1BE/Dream-Maha-Maya-birth-state-marble-relief.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/10/13510-004-274CE1BE/Dream-Maha-Maya-birth-state-marble-relief.jpg) [![Birth of the Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/38/257938-004-029B510A/Birth-of-the-Buddha-stone-figurine-Wesak-Vesak.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/38/257938-050-C1132B75/Birth-of-the-Buddha-stone-figurine-Wesak-Vesak.jpg) [![Teaching Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/50/60250-004-C1EE48BD/Fresco-Preaching-Buddha-Wet-kyi-Pagan-Gu-byauk-gyi-1113.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/50/60250-050-1BC7CED5/Fresco-Preaching-Buddha-Wet-kyi-Pagan-Gu-byauk-gyi-1113.jpg) [![Ashoka's empire c. 250 bce](https://cdn.britannica.com/01/1601-004-D5D8F3C2/empire-India-Ashoka-extent-c-250-bce.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/01/1601-050-B421F558/empire-India-Ashoka-extent-c-250-bce.jpg) [![Ashokan pillar](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/74400-004-B5827290/Inscription-Ashokan-pillar-Lauriya-Nandangarh-Bihar-India.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/74400-050-24D9D79C/Inscription-Ashokan-pillar-Lauriya-Nandangarh-Bihar-India.jpg) [![Map showing the extent of the Gupta empire at the end of the 4th century.](https://cdn.britannica.com/03/1603-004-A0857319/Gupta-empire.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/03/1603-050-E6F261E3/Gupta-empire.jpg) [![Great Stupa](https://cdn.britannica.com/36/155836-004-3D2A455F/Great-Stupa-Sanchi-India.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/36/155836-050-89E7AA9E/Great-Stupa-Sanchi-India.jpg) [![Nalanda: Mahavihara](https://cdn.britannica.com/09/156109-004-7D0E1A8A/ruins-nalanda-university-bihar-india.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/09/156109-050-7E12F0F9/ruins-nalanda-university-bihar-india.jpg) At a Glance [![Buddhism: temple in Kunming, China](https://cdn.britannica.com/70/75470-050-DA87B94B/Altar-Kunming-temple-Buddhist-Yunnan-China.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Buddhism) [Buddhism summary](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Buddhism) Quizzes [![Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.](https://cdn.britannica.com/05/168805-131-E093AF38/Buddha-Temple-mural-founder-Thailand-religions.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/buddha-and-buddhism) [Buddha and Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/buddha-and-buddhism) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Philosophy & Religion](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Philosophy-Religion) [Philosophical Issues](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Philosophical-Issues) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/218561-050-47A98FB5/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/218561-050-47A98FB5/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg) [Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/218561-050-47A98FB5/seated-Buddha-bronze-sculpture.jpg) Seated Buddha, bronze statue, 15th century, Thailand. (more) # Buddhism religion Homework Help Written by [Donald S. Lopez Donald S. Lopez, Jr. is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan. His books include Elaborations on Emptiness: Uses of the...](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/donald-s-lopez/4949) Donald S. Lopez[All](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/additional-info#contributors) Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors [History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything ## News • [Monthslong meditation on impermanence at a remote California Zen retreat meets a real-life fire](https://www.britannica.com/news/83184/57915836e1fd8dc91278ce1e2f929bfc) • Mar. 31, 2026, 3:23 PM ET (AP) Show less Buddhism, [religion](https://www.britannica.com/topic/religion) and [philosophy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophy) that developed from the teachings of the [Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern [India](https://www.britannica.com/place/India) between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries bce (before the Common Era). Spreading from [India](https://www.britannica.com/place/India) to [Central](https://www.britannica.com/place/history-of-Central-Asia-102306) and [Southeast Asia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Southeast-Asia), [China](https://www.britannica.com/place/China), [Korea](https://www.britannica.com/place/Korea), and [Japan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan), Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of [Asia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Asia), and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West. Ancient Buddhist [scripture](https://www.britannica.com/topic/scripture) and [doctrine](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/doctrine) developed in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in [Pali](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pali-language) and [Sanskrit](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sanskrit-language). In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term [dharma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/dharmas) (Pali: dhamma), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term dharma as it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary [sacred](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sacred) language is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as [Tibetan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tibetan-language) or [Chinese](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-languages). ## The foundations of Buddhism ## The cultural context [![Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/64/58864-050-F0D354C3/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/64/58864-050-F0D354C3/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg) [Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/64/58864-050-F0D354C3/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)Head of Buddha in gray schist, 1st–3rd century ce, showing Hellenistic influences, from Gandhara, northwestern Pakistan; in the Guimet Museum, Paris. (more) Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce, a period of great [social change](https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-change) and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce. Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce). At this time in India, there was much discontent with [Brahmanic](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahman-social-class) ([Hindu](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism) high-caste) [sacrifice](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sacrifice-religion) and [ritual](https://www.britannica.com/topic/ritual). In northwestern India there were [ascetics](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascetics) who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the [Vedas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Veda) (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the [Upanishads](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Upanishad), a new emphasis on [renunciation](https://www.britannica.com/topic/asceticism) and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation. A proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the [Samkhya](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Samkhya) school of [Hinduism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism) founded by [Kapila](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kapila)) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the [Ajivikas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ajivika) (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate (niyati), and the [Jains](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism), who stressed the need to free the [soul](https://www.britannica.com/topic/soul-religion-and-philosophy) from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that [constitute](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute) the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul. Despite the bewildering variety of religious [communities](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communities), many shared the same vocabulary—nirvana (transcendent freedom), [atman](https://www.britannica.com/topic/atman) (“self” or “soul”), yoga (“union”), karma (“causality”), Tathagata (“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”), buddha (“enlightened one”), samsara (“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and dhamma (“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working [ascetic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascetic). [![Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.](https://cdn.britannica.com/05/168805-131-E093AF38/Buddha-Temple-mural-founder-Thailand-religions.jpg) Britannica Quiz Buddha and Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/buddha-and-buddhism) Buddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was [constituted](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituted) by the presence of a [charismatic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charismatic) teacher, by the teachings this leader [promulgated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promulgated), and by a [community](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community) of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the [Triratna](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Triratna)—i.e., the “Three Jewels” of [Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (the teacher), [dharma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/dharma-religious-concept) (the teaching), and [sangha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sangha) (the community). In the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the [Hinayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinayana) (Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more [conservative](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservative) group, which included what is now called the [Theravada](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theravada) (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the [Sutta Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sutta-Pitaka) and the [Vinaya Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vinaya-Pitaka) and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the [Mahayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahayana) (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made [salvation](https://www.britannica.com/topic/salvation-religion) available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in [sutras](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sutra) that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced [disciples](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disciples). Explore Britannica Premium\! The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=redesign-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) As Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of [karma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/karma) (the [belief](https://www.britannica.com/topic/belief) that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the [efficacy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efficacy) of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce, a third major Buddhist movement, [Vajrayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vajrayana) (Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or [Esoteric](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Esoteric), Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by [gnostic](https://www.britannica.com/topic/gnosticism) and [magical](https://www.britannica.com/topic/magic-supernatural-phenomenon) currents [pervasive](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pervasive) at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily. Key People: [Wendi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wendi-emperor-of-Sui-dynasty) [Jayavarman VII](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jayavarman-VII) [Xuanzang](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Xuanzang) [Faxian](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Faxian) [Taishi Shōtoku](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Taishi-Shotoku) (Show more) Related Topics: [moso biwa](https://www.britannica.com/art/moso-biwa) [Satyasiddhi](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Satyasiddhi) [rag-dung](https://www.britannica.com/art/rag-dung) [buddha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/buddha-Buddhist-title) [wat](https://www.britannica.com/topic/wat-Thai-temple) (Show more) [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Buddhism) Despite these [vicissitudes](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vicissitudes), Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali [Tipitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tipitaka) (“Three Baskets”)—the Sutta Pitaka (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the [Vinaya Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vinaya-Pitaka) (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the [Abhidhamma Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Abhidhamma-Pitaka) (“Basket of Special \[Further\] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and [Vajrayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vajrayana) traditions have accepted as [Buddhavachana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhavachana) (“the word of the Buddha”) many other [sutras](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sutra) and [tantras](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tantra-religious-texts), along with extensive [treatises](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treatises) and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at [Sarnath](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sarnath) to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or [metamorphosis](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis) around a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is [differentiated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiated) from other religions. [Giuseppe Tucci](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Giuseppe-Tucci/2998) [Joseph M. Kitagawa](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Joseph-M-Kitagawa/1598) [Frank E. Reynolds](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Frank-E-Reynolds/2444) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)Britannica AI chevron\_right Buddhism close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. Load Next Page Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Preston, Charles. "Songkran". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Jun. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran. Accessed 1 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/topic/Songkran> ![](https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6035486&cj=1) Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Lopez, Donald S., Reynolds, Frank E., Tucci, Giuseppe, Snellgrove, David Llewelyn, Kitagawa, Joseph M., Nakamura, Hajime. "Buddhism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism. Accessed 1 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism> External Websites - [CORE - Early Buddhism and Gandhara](https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/42547388.pdf) - [Age of the Sage - Transmitting the Wisdoms of the Ages - Buddhism](https://www.age-of-the-sage.org/buddhism/index.html) - [World History Encyclopedia - Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) - [IndiaNetzone - Buddhism](https://www.indianetzone.com/5/buddhism.htm) - [Stanford University - Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies - Introduction to Buddhism](https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/introduction_to_buddhism) - [Asia Society - The Origins of Buddhism](https://asiasociety.org/education/origins-buddhism) - [Brown University Library - Basic Concepts of Tibetan Buddhism](https://library.brown.edu/cds/BuddhistTempleArt/buddhism.html) - [Cultural India - Indian Religions - Buddhism](https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-religions/buddhism.html) Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. - [Buddhism - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Buddhism/352887) - [Buddhism - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Buddhism/273390)
Readable Markdown	## News • Buddhism, [religion](https://www.britannica.com/topic/religion) and [philosophy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophy) that developed from the teachings of the [Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern [India](https://www.britannica.com/place/India) between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries bce (before the Common Era). Spreading from [India](https://www.britannica.com/place/India) to [Central](https://www.britannica.com/place/history-of-Central-Asia-102306) and [Southeast Asia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Southeast-Asia), [China](https://www.britannica.com/place/China), [Korea](https://www.britannica.com/place/Korea), and [Japan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan), Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of [Asia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Asia), and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West. Ancient Buddhist [scripture](https://www.britannica.com/topic/scripture) and [doctrine](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/doctrine) developed in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in [Pali](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pali-language) and [Sanskrit](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sanskrit-language). In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term [dharma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/dharmas) (Pali: dhamma), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term dharma as it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary [sacred](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sacred) language is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as [Tibetan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tibetan-language) or [Chinese](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-languages). ## The foundations of Buddhism ## The cultural context [Buddha](https://cdn.britannica.com/64/58864-050-F0D354C3/Head-Buddha-schist-ce-Hellenistic-Gandhara-influences.jpg)Head of Buddha in gray schist, 1st–3rd century ce, showing Hellenistic influences, from Gandhara, northwestern Pakistan; in the Guimet Museum, Paris. Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce, a period of great [social change](https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-change) and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce. Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce). At this time in India, there was much discontent with [Brahmanic](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahman-social-class) ([Hindu](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism) high-caste) [sacrifice](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sacrifice-religion) and [ritual](https://www.britannica.com/topic/ritual). In northwestern India there were [ascetics](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascetics) who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the [Vedas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Veda) (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the [Upanishads](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Upanishad), a new emphasis on [renunciation](https://www.britannica.com/topic/asceticism) and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation. A proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the [Samkhya](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Samkhya) school of [Hinduism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism) founded by [Kapila](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kapila)) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the [Ajivikas](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ajivika) (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate (niyati), and the [Jains](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism), who stressed the need to free the [soul](https://www.britannica.com/topic/soul-religion-and-philosophy) from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that [constitute](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute) the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul. Despite the bewildering variety of religious [communities](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communities), many shared the same vocabulary—nirvana (transcendent freedom), [atman](https://www.britannica.com/topic/atman) (“self” or “soul”), yoga (“union”), karma (“causality”), Tathagata (“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”), buddha (“enlightened one”), samsara (“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and dhamma (“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working [ascetic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascetic). [![Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.](https://cdn.britannica.com/05/168805-131-E093AF38/Buddha-Temple-mural-founder-Thailand-religions.jpg) Britannica Quiz Buddha and Buddhism](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/buddha-and-buddhism) Buddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was [constituted](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituted) by the presence of a [charismatic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charismatic) teacher, by the teachings this leader [promulgated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promulgated), and by a [community](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community) of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the [Triratna](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Triratna)—i.e., the “Three Jewels” of [Buddha](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism) (the teacher), [dharma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/dharma-religious-concept) (the teaching), and [sangha](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sangha) (the community). In the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the [Hinayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinayana) (Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more [conservative](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservative) group, which included what is now called the [Theravada](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theravada) (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the [Sutta Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sutta-Pitaka) and the [Vinaya Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vinaya-Pitaka) and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the [Mahayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahayana) (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made [salvation](https://www.britannica.com/topic/salvation-religion) available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in [sutras](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sutra) that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced [disciples](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disciples). The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=redesign-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) As Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of [karma](https://www.britannica.com/topic/karma) (the [belief](https://www.britannica.com/topic/belief) that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the [efficacy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efficacy) of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce, a third major Buddhist movement, [Vajrayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vajrayana) (Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or [Esoteric](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Esoteric), Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by [gnostic](https://www.britannica.com/topic/gnosticism) and [magical](https://www.britannica.com/topic/magic-supernatural-phenomenon) currents [pervasive](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pervasive) at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily. Despite these [vicissitudes](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vicissitudes), Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali [Tipitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tipitaka) (“Three Baskets”)—the Sutta Pitaka (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the [Vinaya Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vinaya-Pitaka) (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the [Abhidhamma Pitaka](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Abhidhamma-Pitaka) (“Basket of Special \[Further\] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and [Vajrayana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vajrayana) traditions have accepted as [Buddhavachana](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhavachana) (“the word of the Buddha”) many other [sutras](https://www.britannica.com/topic/sutra) and [tantras](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tantra-religious-texts), along with extensive [treatises](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treatises) and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at [Sarnath](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sarnath) to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or [metamorphosis](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis) around a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is [differentiated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiated) from other religions.
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