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Synopsis The history of Buddhism is also characterized by the development of numerous movements and schism, foremost among them the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, punctuated by contrasting periods of expansion and retreat. The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BC to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddhanta Gautama. This makes it one of the oldest religious practiced today. Throughout this period, the religion evolved as it encountered various countries and cultures, adding to its original Indian foundation Hellenistic as well as central Asian, East Asian and Southeast Asian cultural elements. In the process, its geographical extent became considerable to as to effect at one time or another most of the Asian continent.