Introduction to Buddhism | Learn about Buddhism 101
67Buddhism - A Spiritual Tradition
Different from Western Religions
Buddhism is considered major religion in Asia and southeast Asia and is said to have up to 500 million followers, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Buddhism has spread all over the world and there are up to five million practicing Buddhists in the United States. Many people argue that Buddhism is more of a spiritual tradition than a religion as it is not based on the teachings of doctrines and dogmas and focuses on personal spiritual development and inner peace. Unlike other Western religions which are based on more rigid teachings and rules the belief in a god or gods, Buddhism is more of a philosophy that we can apply to help us improve our lives.
Concepts of Buddhism
Through the study of teachings of Buddhism, called the Four Nobel Truths and Eightfold Path, Buddhism helps followers to seek truths and realizations in life. The fundamental teachings of Buddhism teach us to understand the concepts of human suffering and attachment. This is done by practicing meditation on a regular basis. The Buddhist seeks to reach a point of understanding and seeing the true nature of life, which is referred to as Enlightenment. Two core fundamental teachings in Buddhism are wisdom and compassion, which help us to to be at peace with other people and living beings.
Schools of Buddhism
There are three main schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Zen. Theravada Buddhism is practiced in southeast Asia - particularly in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Taiwan, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam and India. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism differ in their view of the ego, or self. While Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the self, or ego is a delusion, Theravada Buddhism takes this idea one step further, teaching that no being has a self or ego and that all life is interconnected. Zen Buddhism is commonly practiced in Japan but is said to have emerged in China around the 7th century. Zen Buddhism puts a stronger emphasis on experiences through meditation rather than on traditional texts.
Schools of Buddhism
There are three main schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Zen. Theravada Buddhism is practiced in southeast Asia - particularly in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Taiwan, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam and India. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism differ in their view of the ego, or self. While Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the self, or ego is a delusion, Theravada Buddhism takes this idea one step further, teaching that no being has a self or ego and that all life is interconnected. Zen Buddhism is commonly practiced in Japan but is said to have emerged in China around the 7th century. Zen Buddhism puts a stronger emphasis on experiences through meditation rather than on traditional texts.
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Hey!, I am staying at Kepong, Kuala Lumpur and I read some of news about Buddhist monks from Myanmar who resident of Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. That when I go to that news my mind is very sad or less of energy because why (MCA Chairman Gombak)Datuk Yip kum Fook President of Buddhist Temple so mind very low and dirty.
Sanghas(Buddhist monks) are behalf of Buddha and Sanghas do as Buddha work because passed way to attained highest Nirvana(Nibbana) about 2500 years ago in India. Today we can see only Sanghas here and there or do their duty for continue of Buddhist teaching, also all the Sanghas, they have their society or group, if any monks mistake, all of us available to complaint to their head leaders
Malaysia is more the other religions, when we are Buddhist to do anythings must very careful, this is very important, this Datuk Yip Kum Fook want to make Buddhist short age because he and his teams came temple to removed some monks out from Temple, I heard some monks needed to go out immediately because his teams and police are very strong.
Why Datuk Yip Kum Fook not think to correctly before done somethings, may be he unmindfulness or loose memory, I heard the Datuk Yip is Senator, Lawyer, chairman of MCA but his mind is very normal, also may be somethings inside there.
Hi does anyone know where this Westerner (of Asian decent) can find a place to learn more about Buddhism in Kuala Lumpur?
Note: I am a Ch'an Buddhist also referred to as Zen Buddhist. Zen Buddhism is a sub-school of Mahayana Buddhism. The third school of Buddhism is actually from Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism is neither Theravada nor Mahayana. It's from the school Vajrayana also referred to as Tantric Buddhism and is led by the Dali Lama. Zen Buddhism is actually a further sub-school of the sub-school Chan. Chan is the original Zen. Chan comes from China and migrated into Japan and name changed to Zen. I do love you're work though and will definitely follow. Wonderful. Amitoufo!
Angie Avery 2 years ago
Informative for a beginner. Thank you for the post! I look forward to reading more on this topic.