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'''Buddhism''' is the ] and ] based on the teachings of the ] (aka ], Shakyamuni Buddha, ...) an ] spiritual leader who lived between approximately 563 and 483 ]. '''Buddhism''' is the ] and ] based on the teachings of the ] an ] spiritual leader who lived between approximately 563 and 483 ].


The Buddha emphasized that he was not a god nor the messenger of a god and that his system of thought was not divinely-revealed, but rather that it was an understanding of the nature of the human mind which could be rediscovered by anyone for themselves. The Buddha emphasized that he was not a god nor the messenger of a god and that his system of thought was not divinely-revealed, but rather that it was an understanding of the nature of the human mind which could be rediscovered by anyone for themselves.
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According to , estimates of the number of Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with most around 350 million. According to , estimates of the number of Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with most around 350 million.


There are two main branches of Buddhism: ] ("Teachings of the Elders") and ] (The "Large Group" or "-Vehicle"). Theravada is most common in ], ] (aka ]), ], and ]. Mahayana is found in ], ], ], and ]. ] is one of the better-known Mahayana subdivisions. The most popular subdivision of Mahayana is the various ] sects, though it has received little attention in the West so far. ] ] or ] is sometimes listed as a third branch of Buddhism. Theravada is sometimes called ] (The "Small Group" or "-Vehicle"), though that name is often considered pejorative. There are two main branches of Buddhism: ] ("Teachings of the Elders") and ] (The "Large Group" or "-Vehicle"). Theravada is most common in ], ] (aka Burma), ], and ]. Mahayana is found in ], ], ], and ]. ] is one of the better-known Mahayana subdivisions. The most popular subdivision of Mahayana is the various ] sects, though it has received little attention in the West so far. ] ] or ] is sometimes listed as a third branch of Buddhism. Theravada is sometimes called ] (The "Small Group" or "-Vehicle"), though that name is often considered pejorative.


Different branches of Buddhism have different ]. Mahayana Buddhism has a large number of scriptures, called ]s: different Mahayana sects use different texts. Theravadins have a canon of texts written in the ] called the <i>Tipitaka</i> (perhaps better known in the West by its ] name <i>]</i>). The name means 'three baskets', after its three sections: Different branches of Buddhism have different ]. Mahayana Buddhism has a large number of scriptures, called ]s: different Mahayana sects use different texts. Theravadins have a canon of texts written in the ] called the <i>Tipitaka</i> (perhaps better known in the West by its ] name <i>]</i>). The name means 'three baskets', after its three sections:


1) The <i>Vinaya Pitaka</i>, containing disciplinary rules for the ] of Buddhist ] and ]. 1) The <i>Vinaya Pitaka</i>, containing disciplinary rules for the ] of Buddhist ]s and ]s.
<br> <br>
2) The <i>Sutta Pitaka</i>, containing discourses of the Buddha. 2) The <i>Sutta Pitaka</i>, containing discourses of the Buddha.
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===The Buddha's ]=== ==The Buddha's ]==


#All of life involves ] or suffering. #All of life involves ] or suffering.
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#The way out of suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path. #The way out of suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.


⚫ ==The ]==

⚫ ===The ]===


#Right View or Understanding #Right View or Understanding
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=== Ten Precepts of Aversion (Buddhist Morality) === == Ten Precepts of Aversion (Buddhist Morality) ==

⚫ '''The universal obligations.'''


⚫ ===The universal obligations===
# Not to kill. # Not to kill.
# Not to steal. # Not to steal.
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# Not to be drunken. # Not to be drunken.


'''The precepts to seek Nirvana.''' ===The precepts to seek Nirvana===

# Abstain from food out of season, i.e. after midday. # Abstain from food out of season, i.e. after midday.
# Abstain from dance, theatre shows, songs and music. # Abstain from dance, theatre shows, songs and music.
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=== The Virtues === === The Virtues ===

# Charity or benevolence, the primary Buddhist virtue. # Charity or benevolence, the primary Buddhist virtue.
# Purity, including of personal acts and speech. # Purity, including of personal acts and speech.

Revision as of 00:35, 3 November 2002

Buddhism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha an Indian spiritual leader who lived between approximately 563 and 483 BCE.

The Buddha emphasized that he was not a god nor the messenger of a god and that his system of thought was not divinely-revealed, but rather that it was an understanding of the nature of the human mind which could be rediscovered by anyone for themselves.

According to statistics from adherents.com, estimates of the number of Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with most around 350 million.

There are two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada ("Teachings of the Elders") and Mahayana (The "Large Group" or "-Vehicle"). Theravada is most common in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (aka Burma), Thailand, and Indochina. Mahayana is found in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet. Zen is one of the better-known Mahayana subdivisions. The most popular subdivision of Mahayana is the various Pure Land sects, though it has received little attention in the West so far. Tibetan Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana is sometimes listed as a third branch of Buddhism. Theravada is sometimes called Hinayana (The "Small Group" or "-Vehicle"), though that name is often considered pejorative.

Different branches of Buddhism have different scriptures. Mahayana Buddhism has a large number of scriptures, called sutras: different Mahayana sects use different texts. Theravadins have a canon of texts written in the Pali language called the Tipitaka (perhaps better known in the West by its Sanskrit name Tripitaka). The name means 'three baskets', after its three sections:

1) The Vinaya Pitaka, containing disciplinary rules for the Sangha of Buddhist monks and nuns.
2) The Sutta Pitaka, containing discourses of the Buddha.
3) The Abhidhamma Pitaka, containing a philosophical systematization of the Buddha's teaching.

The foundations of the Buddha's teaching are meditation, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path.


The Buddha's Four Noble Truths

  1. All of life involves dukkha or suffering.
  2. This suffering is caused by attachment.
  3. There is a way out of suffering.
  4. The way out of suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path

  1. Right View or Understanding
  2. Right Life
  3. Right Speech
  4. Right Purpose or Action (See entry on Pancasila)
  5. Right Practices or Livelihood
  6. Right Effort
  7. Right Mindfulness or Thinking
  8. Right Concentration or Practice


Ten Precepts of Aversion (Buddhist Morality)

The universal obligations

  1. Not to kill.
  2. Not to steal.
  3. Not to commit adultery.
  4. Not to lie.
  5. Not to be drunken.

The precepts to seek Nirvana

  1. Abstain from food out of season, i.e. after midday.
  2. Abstain from dance, theatre shows, songs and music.
  3. Abstain from personal ornaments and perfume.
  4. Abstain from a high and luxurious couch or bed.
  5. Abstain from taking gold or silver (money).

The Virtues

  1. Charity or benevolence, the primary Buddhist virtue.
  2. Purity, including of personal acts and speech.
  3. Patience
  4. Courage
  5. Contemplation
  6. Knowledge

There are a number of movements in Asia and the West to "modernize" Buddhism. Although these minorities are sometimes viewed as digressing and deviating from the actual teachings of the Buddha, others hold that they do represent the thoughts and philosophy of a considerable amount of Buddhists, particularly the Buddhist youths living in Asia. Major categories of such movements include Evangelical Buddhism and Universal Vehiclism.


See also:

External links