Mapping the PastMAP 7.3 The Spread of Buddhism, ca. 500 B.C.E.–800 C.E. Buddhism spread throughout India in Ashoka’s time and beyond India in later centuries. The different forms of Buddhism found in Asia today reflect this history. The Mahayana Buddhism of Japan came via Central Asia, China, and Korea, with a secondary later route through Tibet. The Theravada Buddhism of Southeast Asia came directly from India and indirectly through Sri Lanka.ANALYZING THE MAP Trace the routes of the spread of Buddhism by time period. How fast did Buddhism spread?CONNECTIONS Why do you think Buddhism spread more to the east of India than to the west?