2006-10-28 17:40:53 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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)
As Buddhism expanded across Asia, it evolved into two main forms, which evolved largely independently from each other:
Theravada Buddhism (sometimes called Southern Buddhism; occasionally spelled Therevada) "has been the dominant school of Buddhism in most of Southeast Asia since the thirteenth century, with the establishment of the monarchies in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos."
Mahayana Buddhism (sometimes called Northern Buddhism) is largely found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia.
2006-10-28 17:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 623 B.C, Gautam Buddha was born in KapilVastu, a place at the base of Himalaya. He is the father of Buddhism. Buddha didn’t acknowledge the existence of God. According to him, no creator is required for this creation, hence the world is functioned by its ‘nature’. Like that is the opinion of Mahavir. According to him – the creation is functioned by the reaction between the living and non-living beings. Mahavir believed in soul and its reincarnation. Buddha used to believe in reincarnation but he used to deny the existence of soul. He didn’t get into the controversy of Soul – Prime Soul. He focused much on the search of remedies of miseries and its eradication. According to him a man doesn’t get rebirth when he becomes free from sins (misdeeds). The deeds are connected to the body, speech, mentality and the efforts. The life of a man in the other world is decided by his deeds. Man has to suffer for his own deeds. According to him (Buddha) – as the lamp get extinguished with the total reduction of the filament along with the oil, like that man gets free from the tentacles of life with the total eradication of his own desires and arrogance, which is called a salvation. Man can achieve salvation during his living period also.
from www.godish.homestead.com
2006-10-28 19:28:52 · answer #2 · answered by ibkhandel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go onto www.wikipedia.com - and put in 'Buddhism' - should tell you everything you want to know.
For the record, it's a benign 'religion' that's all about the elimination of human suffering. It's about being at one with the universe and becoming so awesome as a person that you do not need to come back to earth again, but go back to 'Brahman' - the bosom of the Universe where we all truly belong.
I love this religion as its so peaceful and loving.
2006-10-28 17:43:41 · answer #3 · answered by Frankie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like Jesus and Mohamed,Buddha was also a God's messenger.
He preached not to kill animals and Humans for any reason and asked fellow beings to give up desire for anything and lead a simple life.Desire is the cause of miseries.Buddism did not spread like christanity and islam because the followers were asked to giveup earthly pleasures.Neo-Buddhism is practiced now.
2006-10-28 19:46:30 · answer #4 · answered by satish ,the great 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A sister religion of Hinduism ,
you have all other details above
2006-10-28 19:47:02 · answer #5 · answered by aathrey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1.Its a man made religion.
2.A man called Budha is worshipped as GOD.
2006-10-28 19:00:05 · answer #6 · answered by malcom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
totoal freedom and love
2006-10-28 17:42:45 · answer #7 · answered by george p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a ebook about buddhaism if you will like it...
2006-10-28 18:30:34 · answer #8 · answered by nikkiidaniels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋