Largest religion in China, where up to 300 million people are influenced by it. ( Source). Fastest growing religion in Australia. ( Source). Increasingly popular in America ( Source).
There are three main branches of Buddhism: Mahayana, Theravada, and Tibetan Buddhism, known as Tantrism.
[R]eligion and philosophy that developed from the teachings of the Buddha Gautama (or Gotama), who lived as early as the 6th century BC. Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of the Eastern world and during the 20th century has spread to the West.
Basic Buddhism
What the Dalai Lama and his followers believe about God, Buddha, and other teachings.
• The current universe has evolved through natural law.
• Truth has been given through countless ages by various Buddhas or enlightened beings.
• Gautama Buddha, who lived 2,500 years ago, is the teacher for our era.
• While salvation depends on individual effort, the Buddhist is to take refuge in the Buddha, his teaching (dharma) and the Buddhist community (sangha).
• The Buddha taught Four Noble Truths: (1) suffering is real; (2) suffering is caused by selfish desire; (3) suffering will cease when selfish desire is eliminated; and (4) selfish desire will cease through following the Noble Eightfold Path.
• The Noble Eightfold Path that leads to nirvana involves (1) Right View, (2) Right Resolve, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action, (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Mindfulness, and (8) Right Concentration.
• All living things are subject to the law of karma, the principle of cause and effect, which controls the cycle of reincarnation.
• The Buddhist is to abstain from killing, stealing, forbidden sex, lying, and the use of illicit drugs and liquor.
• There is no God or Supreme Creator.
• Buddhism is not irrational, pessimistic, or nihilistic.
  H-Buddhism ''The Buddhist Scholars Information Network has been created to serve as a medium for the exchange of information regarding resources, events, projects, publications, job listings, and so forth, among the worldwide Buddhist scholarly community.''
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(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)
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Older items:
(Aug 28, 1999) Americans flock to find out more about Buddhism
(May 27, 1999) Buddhist festival goes national
(May 23, 1999) Buddhism in blossom
(May 17, 1999) Adherents from across globe mark birthday of Buddha
(May 15, 1999) A Buddhist copes with the workplace
(May 15, 1999) Unholy row over Thai Buddhist sect
(May 9, 1999) Father, Son Square Off Over the Meaning of Life
(Apr. 28, 1999) Japan's Buddhists accused of getting them coming and going
(Apr. 24, 1999) Knockoff seeks to apply Buddha's views to everyday life
(Apr. 21, 1999) Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman makes the Tibetan path accessible to Westerners
(Oct. 1, 1998) Australia - The religion of reincarnation is reborn among the masses
(Oct. 1, 1998) Australia - Spirit incorporated: Enlightened One cures executive stress
 Buddhism (Neutral) Extensive entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica. "This article surveys Buddhism from its origins to its elaboration in various schools, sects, and regional developments."
 A Comparative Analysis Of The Major World Religions From A Christian Perspective by Ernest Valea. Excellent, indepth approach.
DharmaNet International (Pro) "[O]ne of the first and largest Buddhist websites on the Net"
World Religions Index "Equipping Christians to Understand Other World Faiths and Religious Philosophies" This Leadership University site includes articles, charts and testimonies.
For statistical information, see Adherents.com
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