Portal:Buddhism
Buddhism PortalBuddhism (/ˈbʊdɪzəm/, US also /ˈbuː-/) is the world's fourth-largest religion with over 520 million followers, or over 7% of the global population, known as Buddhists. A dharma religion, Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. Buddhism originated in Ancient India sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, spreading through much of Asia. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada (Pali: "The School of the Elders") and Mahayana (Sanskrit: "The Great Vehicle"). All Buddhist traditions share the goal of overcoming suffering and the cycle of death & rebirth, either by the attainment of Nirvana or through the path of Buddhahood. Buddhist schools vary in their interpretation of the path to liberation, the relative importance and canonicity assigned to the various Buddhist texts, and their specific teachings and practices. Widely observed practices include taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, observance of moral precepts, monasticism, meditation, and the cultivation of the Paramitas (virtues). Theravada Buddhism has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana, which includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon and Tiantai (Tendai), is found throughout East Asia. Vajrayana, a body of teachings attributed to Indian adepts, may be viewed as a separate branch or as an aspect of Mahayana Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism, which preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth century India, is practiced in the countries of the Himalayan region, Mongolia, and Kalmykia. Read more... |
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Ceremony with lighted candles in hand around a temple on Asalha Puja day in Wat Khung Taphao, Ban Khung Taphao, Khung Taphao subdistrict, Mueang Uttaradit, Uttaradit Province, Thailand.
In this month
- 2 June 1987 - Aranthalawa Massacre, massacre of 31 Buddhist monks and four civilians by cadres of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
- 10 June 2003 - Death of master of Tibetan Buddhism, Lopon Tsechu
- 13 June 1994 - Death of Anne Hopkins Aitken (pictured), influential in Zen Buddhism
- 16 June 1963 - Agreement reached between South Vietnamese government of Ngô Đình Diệm and the Buddhist leadership of the country, resulting in Joint Communiqué
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Did you know...
- ... that Naksansa (pictured) is a Korean Buddhist temple founded in 671 CE near the place where the Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva is believed to live?
- ...that the Buddha statue of Long Sơn Pagoda in Nha Trang, Vietnam is a major vantage point over the city?
- ...that Nanda, the half-sister of Gautama Buddha, went on to be the foremost nun in the practice of jhana?
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Wikipedia:WikiProject Buddhism
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History of Buddhism: Timeline • Buddhist councils
Major Figures: Gautama Buddha • Disciples • Later Buddhists
Dharma or Concepts: Four Noble Truths • Noble Eightfold Path • Three marks of existence • Dependent Origination • Saṃsāra • Nirvana • Skandha • Cosmology • Karma • Rebirth
Practices and Attainment: Buddhahood • Bodhisattva • 4 Stages of Enlightenment • Wisdom • Meditation • Precepts • Pāramitās • Three Jewels • Monastics • Laity
Countries and Regions
Schools: Theravāda • Mahāyāna • Vajrayāna
Texts: Pali Canon • Tibetan Canon • Chinese Canon • Sanskrit texts
Related topics: Criticism • Comparative Studies • Cultural elements
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