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Buddhism in the 21st Century
What is Buddhism? According to ReligiousTolerance.org, 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)Core Concepts of Buddhism
"Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs. One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, in a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leave falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering." --Religious Tolerance
Three Practices & Teachings
Four Nobel Truths
Path to Enlightenment
History of Buddhism
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Timeline
Key figures and stories
Types of Buddhism
Daily Practices
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January
February
March
How Buddhism Changed My Life
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Other Stuff
- Resources page for Buddhist literature, books, products, and retreats
- Buddhism compared to Christianity (create a link to aforum)
- Meditation: (create a link to a page explaining meditation and its benefits)
