on teachings attributed to the Buddha. Buddhism originated in India‚ from where it spread through much of Asia‚ where after it declined in India during the middle ages. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada and Mahayana. Buddhism is the world’s fourth-largest religion‚ with over 500 million followers or 7% of the global population‚ known as Buddhist. The holy book is called the Tripitaka which is written in an ancient Indian language called pali. There
Premium
There are only a few religions that can claim the adherence of large numbers of people. Geographers distinguish two types of religion: universalizing and ethnic. Universalizing religions attempt to become global‚ and appeal to all people‚ regardless of where they may live in the world‚ not just to those of one culture or location. An ethnic religion appeals primarily to one group of people living in a single place. “About sixty two percent of the world’s population adheres to a universalizing religion
Premium Islam Christianity
when Ashoka‚ leader of the Marians‚ converted to Buddhism. This spread Buddhism even more. Also‚ after Buddha‚ Siddhartha Gautama‚ died Buddhism split into two different types of Buddhism: Mahayana‚ which enabled more people to be Buddhist‚ and Theravada. Hinduism battled monotheism‚ which could have changed the beliefs of some. Buddhism altered the world when it spread to China and Neo-Confucianism rose to intellectual and cultural dominance. Another factor that
Premium
Over the years‚ Japanese culture has been shaped in a variety of ways. Religion was the major part of their culture transforming despite the many other things such as poems‚ plays‚ and certain inventions. The two religions that had the most impact were Buddhism and Shinto. Today many citizens of Japan as well as around the world still practice them. Shinto‚ also known as kami-no-michi‚ is a Japanese ethnic religion which focuses on daily life and rituals. Shinto rituals are still carried out to
Premium Religion Buddhism Japan
traditions of Thai is still limited just like ward. The book by ward is an interesting piece of literature‚ which would be fascinating for various readers. The book draws more light on western traditions than it does on Thailand and Buddhism in Theravada. The story by ward describe about the planet of
Premium Buddhism Gautama Buddha Nirvana
commonly affiliated with polytheism. Buddhism‚ originating and stemming from the teacher Siddhartha Gautama‚ ‘the Buddha‚’ was founded in the 6th century B.C‚ and is considered non-theistic. But‚ Mahayana‚ one of the three branches of Buddhism (Theravada‚ Mahayana and Vajrayana) is rooted in polytheistic beliefs where there a many Buddhas. Both the Mahayana Buddhists
Premium Agriculture Human World population
lost completely. Second‚ the historic character of the Buddhist tradition has never been too belligerent toward existing local religions and cultures. Both the Theravada and Mahayana schools of Buddhism despite their apparent disagreements over doctrines and practices‚ share the same spirit of “tolerance” as exemplified by the Theravada Buddhist attitude
Premium Buddhism China
South Asia‚ which consists of the nations of Bangladesh‚ Bhutan‚ India‚ Maldives‚ Nepal‚ Pakistan‚ and Sri Lanka‚ is ethnically diverse‚ with more than 2‚000 ethnic entities with populations ranging from hundreds of millions to small tribal groups. South Asia has been invaded and settled by many ethnic groups over the centuries - including various Dravidian‚ Indo-Aryan and Iranian groups - and amalgamation of Dravidian‚ Indo-Aryan and native societies has produced composite cultures with many common
Premium South Asia India
Anuradhapura‚ the ancient capital city of the country‚ for it was there that arahant Mahinda converted the then ruler‚ King Devanampiya Tissa‚ and his court to Buddhism‚ thereby setting in motion a series of events that finally made Sri Lanka the home of Theravada Buddhism. Even today‚ on Poson Poya‚ Anuradhapura becomes the center of Buddhist activity. Mihintale‚ the spot where the momentous encounter between the Elder and the King took place‚ accordingly receives the reverential attention of the devotees
Premium Sri Lanka Buddhism Gautama Buddha
Religion is defined as "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power‚ especially a personal God" . There are many recognised religions of the world‚ which all teach its followers to live life "the right way"‚ whose definition varies according to the religion itself. They have some beliefs and practices that distinguish themselves from each other. Some examples are differences and similarities of Buddhism and Islam. Buddhism originated from India‚ and was founded by Prince Siddharta
Premium Buddhism Islam Gautama Buddha