overview of Buddhism

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, being exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. It was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In 535 Bce, he attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened). Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, now part of Nepal.

Top 10 countries with the highest percent of Buddhists.

Rank Country % Buddhist Population
1 Thailand 94% 61,517,708
2 Cambodia 93% 12,654,574
3 Mongolia 93% 2,595,882
4 Myanmar 90% 38,618,517
5 Bhutan 74% 1,651,895
6 Japan 71% 90,466,243
7 Sri Lanka 70% 14,045,343
8 Laos 60% 3,730,284
9 Vietnam 50% 41,767,788
10 Singapore 43% 1,880,931

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There are basically two type of Buddhism:

There are many distinct variations which have developed with dinky conflict. This has been because at its core is a philosophical ideas to which such additions can be as a matter of fact grafted.

The main branches:

Hinayana is practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Lesser car Buddhism is based on the teaching of the Vinaya Pitaka. Vinaya Pitaka notion that Buddha was a man, a very special man, a very special someone but nevertheless human.

The Theravada believes that there is no reality corresponding to the notion of God that we can rely on for salvation.

Mahayan accommodated and turn it's religious beliefs and practices to the religious expectations and ideas of people. The Mahayanas interpreted and transformed the Buddha and his teachings into divine being of personal nature and transcendence.

Mahayanas believes that people can accomplish Buddha hood based on their ethics, enlightenment and compassion and one may come to be a Bodhisattva, a saviour, who helps others.

There are four variants of Mahayana Buddhism:

Compilations from the Web discrete sources

overview of Buddhism

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