Question

What is the primary location for Buddhism?

Answer 1

It is often debated in the religious community whether or not Buddhism is categorized as a religion or as a philosophical teaching. The answer is, it is both. There are three major types of Buddhism practiced in the world, some of them having smaller branches with slight variations in their beliefs and teachings. These Buddhist styles are: Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Vajrayana Buddhism. Some of these forms have deities that are worshipped, and some do not. Some have scriptures, others don’t believe in any physical form of the Buddhist teachings. Analyzing and comparing these three major types of Buddhism, it is hard to argue that it is in fact a religion and a philosophy.

Theravada (pronounced, tera-vaugh-dah) Buddhism is typically found in southeast asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. As with all forms of Buddhism, the ultimate goal is to attain enlightenment and reach nirvana. For Theravada Buddhist this means, ending the non-stop cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth by becoming an “arhat.” Arhat is the title given to a Buddhist who has reached nirvana (buddhist-temples.com). Nirvana is the mind being freed of all wants and desires and existing in perfect peace. There is no afterlife once reaching nirvana, there is only the freedom of human suffering. In the Theravada practice, nirvana is reached by completing four stages. The first stage requires an individual to convert to Theravada and “ The fourth and final stage is Arhat or “worthy one.” (religionfacts.com). The fourth stage represents “one who has attained perfect enlightenment and will never be reborn.” (religionfacts.com). In Theravada Buddhism however, not just anyone may become an arhat and reach nirvana. Only monks and priest are capable of reaching these four stages and end the cycle of rebirth. It is also believed by Theravada monks, that enlightenment is impossible to attain in a single lifetime. .

Mahayana Buddhism is found in that more major parts of asia like China, Korea, and Japan. Similar to Theravada Buddhism, the goal in the Mahayana teaching is also attaining enlightenment similar to an arhat, as a bodhisattva. This is where most similarities between the two religions end. The Mahayana form accepts all that wish to attain enlightenment and end the cycle of rebirth. In order to attain enlightenment in this form of Buddhism, one must help end the suffering of others. Many people recognize this as “karma,” which is the belief that if you help someone in their suffering or troubles, you will be rewarded with relief from your own personal sufferings. Mahayana teaches that we are all connected in the same world and the same life. American born, Zen Buddhist monk, Kusala Bhikshu explains this belief as, . As a bodhisattva, one is still subject to suffering and positive and negative karma. O. These Buddhas and bodhisattvas act as deity-like figures for practicing buddhists. These figures are what all buddhists aspire to become, and many draw inspiration from them. Some Buddhas and bodhisattvas are portrayed as deities, while others are living enlightened beings who have consciously decided to delay passage to nirvana to help others attain their enlightenment. The original Buddha, is the greatest of these deities but is not worshipped. Instead he inspires all those who practice to do as he had once done. Since buddhists do not believe in a god that created the universe and the world, there seems to no fear in angering this higher being. Instead the focus is to be the most useful member of society as a whole, while seeking enlightenment. T.

The third major practice is Vajrayana Buddhism, better known as Tibetan Buddhism is probably the most well known form of Buddhism. As with Mahayana Buddhism, the goal with Vajrayana is to attain enlightenment and “Buddhahood” in a single lifetime (religionfacts). This is achieved through meditation and placing the compassion for all living things over all else, just as in Mahayana. Similar to Theravada, enlightenment is only achieved through strict dedication and practice, usually taking place in a monastery. Just as with Mahayana Buddhism, Tibetan buddhist believe in the same deities. The difference between the two being that to Tibetan buddhists these deities help buddhists along their path to enlightenment. Each deity teaches a particular lesson to help them extinguish material desires, or aid in the healing of sicknesses. These beliefs make up Vajrayana Buddhism’s unique and beautiful rituals and ceremonies, as well as the painting and symbols that are frequented in it’s temples. In this practice there is also a spiritual leader appointed to the practice. It is believed that these chosen leaders are reincarnations of former Buddhas who have come back to show their people the way to enlightenment. This leader is called the “Dalai Lama,” who is seen as a “God-King” (buddhism.about.com) to those who follow it’s teachings. .

.

Answer 2

Buddhism (/ˈbʊdɪzəm/, US also /ˈbuː-/)[1][2] is the world's fourth-largest religion[3][4] with over 520 million followers, or over 7% of the global population, known as Buddhists.[web 1][5] An Indian religion, Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachingsattributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. Buddhism originated in ancient India as a Sramana tradition sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, spreading through much of Asia. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada(Pali: "The School of the Elders") and Mahayana (Sanskrit: "The Great Vehicle").

All Buddhist traditions share the goal of overcoming suffering and the cycle of death and rebirth, either by the attainment of Nirvana or through the path of Buddhahood.[6][7][8] Buddhist schools vary in their interpretation of the path to liberation, the relative importance and canonicity assigned to the various Buddhist texts, and their specific teachings and practices.[9][10]Widely observed practices include taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, observance of moral precepts, monasticism, meditation, and the cultivation of the Paramitas (virtues).

Theravada Buddhism has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana, which includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingonand Tiantai (Tendai), is found throughout East Asia.

Vajrayana, a body of teachings attributed to Indian adepts, may be viewed as a separate branch or as an aspect of Mahayana Buddhism.[11] Tibetan Buddhism, which preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth-century India, is practiced in the countries of the Himalayan region, Mongolia,[12] and Kalmykia.[13]