User:The Thin Man Who Never Leaves/Buddhism Article,4 Sept. 2008
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buddhism is both a world religion[1] and a philosophy with distribution throughout the world, and significant variation in beliefs among its adherents. Depending on the source[2] [3] [4], Buddhists number between 230 million [5] to 1.691 billion[6], most of them living in Asia. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, sometimes known simply as "The Buddha", who lived during the fifth century BCE in ancient India, in what is now Nepal and the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar located in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent.
Buddhism has spread through two main branches: Theravada which extended south and east from its origins and now has a widespread following in Southeast Asia, and Mahayana (the parent branch to many other schools), which diffused first west, then north and later east from its origins throughout East Asia and west into Europe and currently to the Americas. Buddhists schools disagree over the interpretation of the Dharma (the teachings of Gautama Buddha) and various practices. The Pāli Tipitaka (in Pāli, literally "Three Baskets") is a collection of Buddhist sacred books categorized in three large sections, and common to all schools. However, it does not include the Mahayana sutras, a document that's central to the Mayahana branch but irrelevant to Theravadins. However, Mahayanans consider their sutras to be a compliment to the Pali Tipitaka, and part of the Buddhist texts, not a replacement.
All traditions recognize Gautama Buddha as an enlightened teacher who shared his insights in order to help sentient beings end their suffering in accordance with the laws of Karma by understanding the Four Noble Truths; realizing the true nature of phenomena and thereby escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth known to Buddhists as Saṃsāra. Among the methods Buddhist schools apply towards that goal are ethical conduct, altruistic behaviour, renunciation of worldy matters, the training of one's mind through learning and meditation, devotional practices and, in some branches, the invocation of holy beings to seek their help in achieving Enlightenment. A Buddhist is one who takes refuge in The Three Jewels: Buddha; one who is Awakened or Enlightened, Dharma; The Teaching (of Buddha), and Sangha; The Community (of Buddhists).