Overview of Buddhism
By: Deepak Pradhan
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
There are basically two type of Buddhism:
There are many different variations which have developed with little conflict. This has been because at its core is a philosophical system to which such additions can be easily grafted.
The main branches:
Theravada or Hinayana - the Lesser Vehicle:
Hinayana is practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Lesser Vehicle Buddhism is based on the teaching of the Vinaya Pitaka. Vinaya Pitaka thought that Buddha was a man, a very special man, a very special person but nevertheless human.
The Theravada believes that there is no reality corresponding to the concept of God that we can rely on for salvation.
Mahayana - the Greater Vehicle
Mahayan accommodated and change 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 achieve Buddha hood based on their ethics, enlightenment and compassion and one may become a Bodhisattva, a saviour, who helps others.
There are four variants of Mahayana Buddhism:
1. Tibetan Buddhism
2. Zen Buddhism
3. Pure Land Buddhism
4. Nichiren Buddhism
Compilations from the Web various sources
Overview of Buddhism