Buddhism

Brahmanic society | Genius of the Ancient World

An explanation of the social and religious context in which the Buddha was brought up and how it influenced his ideas.

Changing concepts of karma | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's revelations changed the ways in which karma was viewed, giving his ideas great appeal in a changing soc...

Nirvana | Genius of the Ancient World

Through deep meditation, the Buddha achieved Enlightenment and developed the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Responses to Samsara | Genius of the Ancient World

After leaving his life as a prince, the Buddha joined other thinkers searching for solutions to the problems of Samsara.

The Buddha's legacy | Genius of the Ancient World

After the Buddha's death, his ideas continued to spread through his followers and the influence of Emperor Ashoka.

The Four Sights | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha left his privileged life as a prince in the Himalayas after witnessing the Four Sights.

The middle way | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's idea of the Middle Way and his realisations about the nature and impermanence of the self.

The path of self denial | Genius of the Ancient World

Before developing the Middle Way, the Buddha spent six years pursuing a life of self denial with other ascetics.