Different from Western Religions

Buddhism is considered major religion in Asia and southeast Asia and is said to have up to 500 million followers, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Buddhism has spread all over the world and there are up to five million practicing Buddhists in the United States. Many people argue that Buddhism is more of a spiritual tradition than a religion as it is not based on the teachings of doctrines and dogmas and focuses on personal spiritual development and inner peace. Unlike other Western religions which are based on more rigid teachings and rules the belief in a god or gods, Buddhism is more of a philosophy that we can apply to help us improve our lives.

Concepts of Buddhism

Through the study of teachings of Buddhism, called the Four Nobel Truths and Eightfold Path, Buddhism helps followers to seek truths and realizations in life. The fundamental teachings of Buddhism teach us to understand the concepts of human suffering and attachment. This is done by practicing meditation on a regular basis. The Buddhist seeks to reach a point of understanding and seeing the true nature of life, which is referred to as Enlightenment. Two core fundamental teachings in Buddhism are wisdom and compassion, which help us to to be at peace with other people and living beings.

Schools of Buddhism

There are three main schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Zen. Theravada Buddhism is practiced in southeast Asia - particularly in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Taiwan, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam and India. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism differ in their view of the ego, or self. While Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the self, or ego is a delusion, Theravada Buddhism takes this idea one step further, teaching that no being has a self or ego and that all life is interconnected. Zen Buddhism is commonly practiced in Japan but is said to have emerged in China around the 7th century. Zen Buddhism puts a stronger emphasis on experiences through meditation rather than on traditional texts.

Schools of Buddhism

There are three main schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Zen. Theravada Buddhism is practiced in southeast Asia - particularly in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Taiwan, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam and India. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism differ in their view of the ego, or self. While Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the self, or ego is a delusion, Theravada Buddhism takes this idea one step further, teaching that no being has a self or ego and that all life is interconnected. Zen Buddhism is commonly practiced in Japan but is said to have emerged in China around the 7th century. Zen Buddhism puts a stronger emphasis on experiences through meditation rather than on traditional texts.

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Learn more about Buddhism:

• Basic Beliefs of Buddhism
• The Origin of Buddhism
• The Philosophy of Buddhism
• The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism
• History of Buddhism
• Do Buddhists Worship the Buddha?
• How to Become a Buddhist