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Buddhism (also known as Buddha Dharma, meaning approximately Law of the Awakened One) is a religion, a practical philosophy, and arguably a psychology, focusing on the teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni (Siddhārtha Gautama), who lived in ancient India most likely from the mid-6th to the early 5th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the Indian subcontinent in the five centuries following the Buddha's passing, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia over the next two millennia. Today, Buddhism is divided primarily into three traditions: Theravāda (Sanskrit: Sthaviravāda), Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. Buddhism continues to attract followers worldwide, and, with about 708 million adherents, it is considered a major world religion. Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world.
When used in a generic sense, a Buddha is generally considered to be a person who discovers the true nature of reality through years of spiritual cultivation, investigation of the various religious practices of his time, and meditation. This transformational discovery is called bodhi - literally, "Awakening" (more commonly called "Enlightenment"). Any person who has become awakened from the "sleep of ignorance" by directly realizing the true nature of reality is called a Buddha. Śākyamuni is said to have been only the latest of many of these; there were other Buddhas before him and there will be others in the future. According to the Buddha, any person can follow his example and become enlightened through the study of his words "Dharma" and putting them into practice, by leading a virtuous, moral life, and purifying his mind. Concisely put the aim of Buddhist practice is to put an end to this mass of suffering we call existence. "I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering" (The Buddha). To achieve this state, adherents train and purify the mind by following the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Middle Way, eventually arriving at an understanding of the true nature of all things, thus ending (nirodha) all ignorance and unhappiness and attaining liberation: (Pāli nibbāna).
Gautama the Buddha
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RT @ahkonlhamo: Having challenges? You can try this #Prayer to Remove Obstacles http://bit.ly/5crKEf #buddhism
SangyeH (Ani Sangye) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:35:42 -0000
RT @ahkonlhamo: Having challenges? You can try this #Prayer to Remove Obstacles http://bit.ly/5crKEf #buddhism
Having challenges? You can try this #Prayer to Remove Obstacles http://bit.ly/5crKEf #buddhism
ahkonlhamo (jetsunma ahkon lhamo) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:22:34 -0000
Having challenges? You can try this #Prayer to Remove Obstacles http://bit.ly/5crKEf #buddhism
RT @ZenDirtZenDust: RT @070180: We don't have things like this in Buddhism, which is disappointing. http://bit.ly/6m6RnK | Can we start ...
CCGAL (Janelle) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:05:33 -0000
RT @ZenDirtZenDust: RT @070180: We don't have things like this in Buddhism, which is disappointing. http://bit.ly/6m6RnK | Can we start ...
RT @lilduval i know one thing if i go to church and i hear a preacher say "this is omg fact" im switching to Buddhism (hahahahahaha)
DWHITE603 (Devin) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:01:48 -0000
RT @lilduval i know one thing if i go to church and i hear a preacher say "this is omg fact" im switching to Buddhism (hahahahahaha)
RT @lilduval i know one thing if i go to church and i hear a preacher say "this is omg fact" im switching to Buddhism-yes!
FeliciaStone (Felicia Stone) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:57:05 -0000
RT @lilduval i know one thing if i go to church and i hear a preacher say "this is omg fact" im switching to Buddhism-yes!
RT @lilduval: i know one thing if i go to church and i hear a preacher say "this is omg fact" im switching to Buddhism
DaiizyFreshh (Daiizy Freshh) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:55:54 -0000
RT @lilduval: i know one thing if i go to church and i hear a preacher say "this is omg fact" im switching to Buddhism
A Collection of Buddhist Parables - Provides stories designed to teach communicate values.
An Introduction to Buddhism - Explores the history of Buddhism and its basic tenets.
Ancient India - The British Museum - 'The Buddha' tells the story of his life. It also focuses on the Great Stupa at Amaravati, a large Buddhist monument built in south-eastern India.
Basics of Buddhism - A simple introduction to the religion and the basic tenets of Buddhists. From PBS.
BodhiTree - Education resources for students and their teachers, with electronic books to view online.
Buddha and Buddhism - Read about the origin, growth, and teachings of Buddhism.
Meta Description: [ World Almanac for Kids: Facts, games and helpful stuff for kids ages 8 and up. ]
Buddha Mind - Information on Buddhist meditation, symbols, and lifestyle.
Meta Description: [ Domain name registration and hosting solutions. Multiple domain search, registration and control panel. Virtual web hosting with free technical support. E-commerce with secure credit card transactions. ]
BuddhaNet's Kids' Page - Includes coloring book, traditional story, and interactive games.
Buddhism for Kids - Collection of stories about the faith.
Buddhist Tales - Jataka stories of moral conduct and good behaviour.
Common American Misconceptions About Buddhism - Examines misconceptions about reincarnation, prayer, paganism, and so forth.
Dharma for Kids - Learn about Buddha's life, Buddhist practices, beliefs, festivals, and the Buddhist community.
Electronic Passport: Siddhartha Gautama - A very basic description of Buddha.
Meta Description: [ Three hundred million Buddhists around the world adhear to the philosophy of Siddartha Gautama. Learn about Siddhartha Gautama in the Electronic Passport at www.mrdowling.com. ]
Following the Buddha's Footsteps - Provides an introduction to basic teachings.
Jataka Stories - Offers a different story for children each month.
Jataka Stories: Buddhist Tales For The Young And Old - Selection of Buddhist parables and fables.
More Jataka Tales - Written by Ellen C. Babbitt. First published in 1922.
Questions and Answers on Buddhism - Answers to common questions about Buddhism.
Siddhartha Gautama - Account of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the person who became Buddha.
Soka Gakkai for the Kids - Boys and girls group information along with news stories, online games, and puzzles.
Trusting In Mind: A Modern Translation of the Faith Mind Sutra - One of the most important of the Zen writings, this document summarizes the essence of Zen.
YoungBuddhist.Net - A place for young people who are interested in Buddhism to meet friends and learn about this spiritual tradition.
Meta Description: [ YoungBuddhist.Net is a fun, friendly, and understanding online community for young people who have an interest in Buddhism. You don't need to be Buddhist to join as the forum is open to all. We are young people who feel that there is more to life than materialism, greed, selfishness and hatred. W... ]
ZEN - A basic introduction to Zen produced by Kodai-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan.
Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbors - Explains what a Zen story is and includes more than two dozen of them.
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