A Short History Of Buddhism

Buddhism as a religious tradition started during the life of Buddha who was known as Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni. Buddha was born in India around the end of the sixth century.

The teachings of Buddha were an inspiration to many and soon started to spread. Buddhism spread from India on to Sri Lanka, from their, it soon covered most of Southeast Asia.

Sometime during the first or second century as more and more people embraced the teachings of Buddha, it was brought north and into China. From here it was not to long before it spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

In the seventh century, teachers of Buddhism travelled North across the Himalayas and brought the Buddhist faith into Tibet. Buddhism today is practiced by people in many countries the world over.

Although we believe THE Buddha to be Siddhartha Gautama, Ancient texts known as Jataka show that he was also taught by previous Buddhas. Buddhists believe that the Buddhism tradition did not begin in the sixth century but in the far distant past, perhaps even at the beginning of time.

After the death or Nirvana of Siddhartha Gautama, A group of followers followed his instructions and had his body cremated, they then distributed his ashes as relics, which were enshrined in funerary mounds also known as stupas. Veneration of his remains is what gave rise to the tradition of Buddhism as we know it today.

A popular Buddhism Saying:

There’s a reality even prior to heaven and earth; indeed it has no form, much less a name; eyes fail to see it; it has no voice for ears to detect. To call it mind or Buddha violates its nature.

Absolutely quiet, and yet illuminating it allows itself to be perceived only by the clear eyed. It is Dharma beyond form and sound; it is Tao without words. Wishing to entice the blind The Buddha has playfully let words escape his golden mouth; Heaven and Earth are ever since filled with entangling briars.

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Overview of Buddhism

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). Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, now part of Nepal.

Top 10 countries with the highest percent of Buddhists.

 Rank    Country       %    Buddhist Population
1       Thailand    94%    61,517,708
2       Cambodia    93%    12,654,574
3       Mongolia    93%     2,595,882 
4       Myanmar     90%    38,618,517
5       Bhutan      74%     1,651,895 
6       Japan       71%    90,466,243
7       Sri Lanka   70%    14,045,343
8       Laos        60%     3,730,284 
9       Vietnam     50%    41,767,788
10      Singapore   43%     1,880,931 

There are basically two type of Buddhism:
There are many different variations which have developed with little conflict. This has been because at its core is a philosophical system to which such additions can be easily grafted.

The main branches:

Theravada or Hinayana - the Lesser Vehicle:
Hinayana is practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Lesser Vehicle Buddhism is based on the teaching of the Vinaya Pitaka. Vinaya Pitaka thought that Buddha was a man, a very special man, a very special person but nevertheless human.

The Theravada believes that there is no reality corresponding to the concept of God that we can rely on for salvation.

Mahayana - the Greater Vehicle
Mahayan accommodated and change it’s religious beliefs and practices to the religious expectations and ideas of people. The Mahayanas interpreted and transformed the Buddha and his teachings into divine being of personal nature and transcendence.

Mahayanas believes that people can achieve Buddha hood based on their ethics, enlightenment and compassion and one may become a Bodhisattva, a saviour, who helps others.

There are four variants of Mahayana Buddhism:

1. Tibetan Buddhism

2. Zen Buddhism

3. Pure Land Buddhism

4. Nichiren Buddhism

Compilations from the Web various sources

Overview of Buddhism