1.The Classics Sung—The Vedic Period 經典中傳唱—吠陀時代
The Vedic period（or Vedic age）was a period in history during which the Vedas,the oldest scriptures of Hinduism were composed.The time span of the period is uncertain.Philological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Rigveda,the oldest of the Vedas,was composed roughly between 1700-1100 BC,also referred as the early Vedic period.The end of the period is commonly estimated to have occurred about 500 BC and 150 BC.
Transmission of texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition alone,and a literary tradition set in only in post-Vedic times.Despite the difficulties in dating the period,the Vedas can safely be assumed to be several thousands of years old.The associated culture,sometimes referred as Vedic civilization,was probably centered early in the northern and northwestern parts of the lndian subcontinent,but has nowspread and constitutes the basis of contemporary lndian culture.After the end of the Vedic period,the Mahajanapadas period in turn gave way to the Maurya Empire（from 320 BC），it is the golden age of classical Sanskrit literature.
吠陀時期（或吠陀時代）是一個曆史時期，在此期間，吠陀是印度教最古老的經文。這一時期的時間跨度是不確定的。語言學和語言的證據表明黎俱吠陀是最古老的吠陀經文。公元前1700年至公元前1100年也被稱為早期吠陀時期。大約公元前500年和公元前150年，是吠陀時期的終結。
在吠陀時期的文本傳播，僅口頭傳誦，文學的傳播，隻有在後期吠陀時代。盡管很難追溯吠陀時期的曆史，但可以肯定的是，吠陀曆史可以追溯至數千年前。與吠陀文明緊密聯係的吠陀文化，在早期很可能以印度次大陸的北部和西北部地區為中心，但現在已經廣泛的傳播，並構成了當代印度文化的基礎。吠陀時期結束後，又經曆列國時代，孔雀帝國（公元前320），它是古典梵語文學的黃金時代。
2.The Buddha\\u0027s Era of Maha—Janapadas 釋迦牟尼的時代——列國時代
Mahājanapadas known as“great realms”in literally,was the common name of ancient lndian kingdoms or countries.Ancient Buddhist texts like Anguttara Nikaya make frequent reference to sixteen great kingdoms and republics which had evolved andflourished in a belt stretching from Gandhara in the northwest to Anga in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent and included parts of the trans-Vindhyan region,which was prior to the rise of Buddhism in lndia.The sixth century BC is often regarded as a major turning point in early lndian history.
列國時代，書麵稱為“偉大的王國”，是古印度諸多王國或國家的總稱。古代佛教的典籍《增支部》（又稱《增一尼迦耶》，為《巴利文大藏經》中經藏的組成部分，南傳上座部佛教典籍）經常提到16個大王國和共和國，從印度次大陸西北部的犍陀羅、東部的安加到溫迪亞山區域，列國在這條帶形區域內發展繁榮，這個時期早於佛教興起的時代。公元前6世紀通常被認為是早期印度曆史的轉折。
3.The“Boundless Dharma”—The Creation and Spread of Buddhism 佛法無邊——佛教的創立與傳播
Buddhism Overview 佛教簡況
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety[1]of traditions,beliefs and practices,largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama,commonly known as the Buddha.The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern lndian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient[2]beings end ignorance[3]of dependent origination[4]，thus escaping what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth.
Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized as Theravada and Mahayana.Theravada—the oldest surviving branch—has a widespread[5]following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.Mahayana is found throughout East Asia and includes the traditions of Pure Land,Zen,Nichiren Buddhism,Tibetan Buddhism,Shingon,Tiantai（Tendai）and Shinnyo-en.
佛教是一種宗教和哲學，包含了印度各種傳統的信仰和習俗。它的主要教義是由喬達摩悉達多（釋迦牟尼）創立，所以釋迦牟尼又被尊稱為“佛”。佛陀主要活動於公元前6到4世紀的印度次大陸東北。他教導信徒，傳播自己的理念，以幫助眾生結束無知的緣起，脫離六道輪回之苦。
主流佛教主要分為兩個分支：小乘佛教與大乘佛教。小乘佛教是佛教最早的分支，主要分布於東南亞及斯裏蘭卡。大乘佛教則主要分布於東亞地區，分有淨土宗、禪宗、日蓮宗、真言宗、天台宗等幾個宗派。