Buddhism And Its Impact On The World

Buddhism began in India 2,500 years ago and remains the dominant world religion in the East. There are over 360 million followers of Buddhism worldwide and over a million American Buddhists today. Buddhist concepts have also been influential on western culture in general, particularly in the areas of meditation and nonviolence.

Every Religion believes in either a God(s), a leader, or supernatural forces. Unlike Christians who believe in Jesus Christ, is the divine savior of God, who died upon the cross to save others from their sins, Buddhists believe in an enlightened man referred to as Buddha. Buddha is believed to have lived between circa 563 to 483 BCE and believed to have taught in northeastern India. Buddha’s teachings are based upon his life, and provide guidance and support to his followers.

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama who, after leaving an affluent lifestyle, spent 40 days meditating under a tree. At the end of the 40 days, he came to understand suffering and from then on was know as the Buddha. During that time he developed the basic principles of his new belief system. Buddhism has four noble truths and the observance of these truths lead to the escape from the cycle of reincarnation. This escape is called nirvana. One of the most popular religious texts in the Buddhist world was and is the Dhammapada, which provides sayings and truths that shed light on this journey to nirvana. Out of the 423 Buddhist truths presented in the Dhammapada, numbers 20, 75, and 89 provide particular insight into the core

So what exactly is Buddhism’s beliefs? Buddhism is a method of teaching that guides you away from the wanting, suffering, and needing in one 's life. It is a philosophical guide line, a system of rules you can follow and paths you can take to release yourself from the suffering, from the stress, for all time. There are many different sects of Buddhism. Depending on the sect, Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion that focuses more on the individual and the actions of that individual, which was prevalent to me when I made my way into Portland and set foot in a Buddhist temple. The man I met within the walls of this temple was far from my stereotypical thoughts of Buddhist monks. The man I met looked like your plain old, average Joe, American man. Before I delve into the depths of my visit to this inspiring place, I need to sum up the Buddhist religion and why I chose to study this particular group of people.

Almost 6 percent of the world 's population or 350 million people follow Buddhism. Although among them are varying controversies over whether or not Buddhism is a religion or a followed pathway. Buddhism, founded in the late 6th -century B.C.E , and practices the ideas of varying traditions, spiritual practices, and all beliefs focused on the ideas of Gautama or the Buddha. Gautama valued the beliefs and teachings of The Universal Truths and Four Noble Truths and successfully shared them for the last 45 years of his life as a founder of a group called the Sramanas. He lived in what we now call Nepal and northern India and throughout his journey became known as “the awakened one” or “Buddha” as he found himself searching for enlightenment through having realizations on his entire existence. Buddhism really began to spread when roads were used for missionary uses and the Buddhist and merchants would cross paths resulting in the popularity and the spread of these teachings increasing drastically within Asia. However, people are still contemplating on whether or not Buddhism is a religion or a way of life. People argue that it contains aspects of a religion and others say it doesn’t and should be considered a pathway that someone can value as their way of life. Some claim that Buddhism is indeed a religion and that it holds all the elements of faith, beliefs, and self-transformation while others believe it is a way of life because it doesn’t

Buddhism is the most prevailing religion in Asia with about 379 million followers. Buddhism believes in following the “Enlightened” path, which is to live life serenely and without desires. This action was very challenging to accomplish, but it allowed you to associate with yourself internally. Buddhism impacted the world by expressing the belief of the 4 noble truths, offering the idea of reincarnation, and to follow certain traditions in physical appearance. The 4 noble truths were the main components in following the “Enlightened” path by explaining how the suffering is caused by people’s desires and that they need to release those to feel free. Reincarnation led other people to believe that when you die, your soul would be born into a new life, which gave the thought about other “realms” that may exist. Also, the physical appearance of Buddhists/monks was different because they would wear clothes that helped them see their natural beauty.

Buddhism is also a polytheistic religion similar to Hinduism. An Indian prince who founded Buddhism was called Siddhartha Gautama; he abdicated all his rights to become the enlightened one, Buddha. Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation but instead of Moksha. They believe in Nirvana [the goal of the Buddhist path], both concepts are similar, understanding life and death and the cycle ending in reincarnation. Buddha reached enlightenment or wisdom, during that time, he found Four Noble Truths, which enabled people to achieve happiness so they could all stop suffering. People must give up all thought of achievement, desire living life in poverty. Buddhism has never had a caste system [division of social classes], therefore, the first

If we look back into the ancient Indian Buddhist tradition we can find its diversity just after the death of Buddha. According to Buddhist traditions a Buddha is a fully awakened being who has completely purified his mind of the three poisons of desire, aversion and ignorance. Traditionally Buddhist wear robes. They celebrate Buddhist new year, Vesak (Buddha’s birthday), Magha puja day (full moon day of the third lunar month), Asalha puja day (pay homage to Buddha on a full moon of the 8th), Uposatha (observance day), Kathina Ceremony (Robe offering ceremony), Ulamba (ancestor day), Loy Krathong (Festival of floating bowls), and The elephant festival.

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. It is the oldest and fourth largest religion in the world with around 500 million followers. Buddhism focuses on teaching people how to come to terms with and end the suffering of themselves and others by cutting out greed, hatred, and ignorance from their lives. Unlike most major world religions, Buddhism does not revolve around worshiping a god or divine creator, instead the focus of Buddhism is living one 's best life and transforming the lives of others. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach Enlightenment and upon death achieve Nirvana, the liberation of pain and suffering. For Buddhists, it is the individual’s responsibility to find his or her own path to enlightenment; the principles of Buddhism are seen more as guidelines than rules.

Buddhism is a religion practiced by over 350 million people and is believed to be the world's largest religion today, especially in western countries like the United States, Buddhism is not Christianity or Judaism. It does not require one to believe in God and not require you to give up your faith(Meyers

Buddhism is an offset form of Hinduism. In Buddhism, followers live out a much disciplined life in order to understand that nothing in their selves is made of them. They believe that they are one with the earth. Once reaching this notion in Buddhism you are said to reach Nirvana. Buddhists see humans, animals and even Buddha as equivalents. Buddhism practices the Threefold Way, which is the training of morality, wisdom and concentration. Buddhism differs from Hinduism by not

With about 365 million followers -- 6% of the world's population -- Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world. It is exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Buddhism was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In the sixth century BCE, he attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened)

In the United States there are over four million buddhists, one thousand temples, study groups, or Buddhists associations (Monroe 108). This number has come from just one man searching to find happiness and eventually enlightenment. Buddha’s story is how buddhism became a religion all over the world. It teaches a peaceful manner, reveals the key to happiness for the mind, and eliminates the desire in life. Not just the history of buddhism is important, but how it has spread through the world and what it looks like today.

In the universe there 's a galaxy, and in this galaxy there 's the solar system, and in this solar system there is a planet earth, and in this planet earth lives 7 billion people. We are all the same but divided by key things; oceans and mountains, culture and society, but most important religions and beliefs. Out of the hundreds of practices and beliefs that make part of planet earth one of the most interesting form of religious practice is Buddhism.