Reading history critically

What can we claim from a historical record? Answer through seven examples from Buddhist traditions. Take 5–10 minutes for an initial reading, and allow more time if you investigate the full sources. This selection teaches a method; it does not summarize the whole history of Buddhism.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7

Step 3 / 7

What does an approximate date express?

Check the date qualifier in the museum chronology and compare it with the atlas.

c. 779 · Samye and Tibetan translation

Open the sources and locate the passage

My explanation

Saved in this browser. Not sent to the server.
Check my answer

An approximation places the episode without promising precision the evidence does not offer. Removing “c.” would change the claim’s degree of certainty.