Buddhism

Buddhism, a Dharmic faith, is generally considered one of the world's major religions, with between 230 to 500 million followers.[1] Buddhism is divided into two main branches, Mahayana and Theravada,[2] with the former further subdivided into East Asian (including Pure Land, Chan/Zen, Nichiren, Shingon and others) and Tibetan (sometimes grouped with Shingon under the term Vajrayana) branches. These branches are distinguished from each other by a combination of doctrinal differences and regional syncretisms.

Buddhism centers on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, who lived in parts of what is now Nepal and northeast India circa the fifth century BCE. There is some disagreement between denominations over which texts should be attributed to Buddha and be included as part of the buddha-dharma, the doctrine of Buddhism, and further disagreement about the relative importance of generally accepted teachings.[3] This makes any definitive claim about the precepts of Buddhism difficult. Nearly all Buddhists recognize some version of the Tipitaka ("Three Baskets"), though it plays a far more central role in Theravada than in Mahayana. Mahayana Buddhists recognize a set of texts called the Mahayana Sutras which Theravadins do not accept.

According to Buddhism, dukkha—often translated as 'suffering' in English, though 'disquiet' or 'dissatisfaction' are closer to the root meaning—can be ended by an understanding of its root causes and continued practice of the dharma. Buddhists maintain that existence is largely dictated by karma, and most believe in rebirth, as dictated by karma. Buddhists believe that the dharma offers freedom from karma. The majority believe that those who are sufficiently practiced can determine their own rebirth, and a very few advanced beings can determine the rebirth of others. While Buddhists do believe that meditation is necessary at some stage, most do not believe they have reached a stage where meditation will be fruitful. Most Buddhists practice devotion to one or more Buddhas, and sometimes other beings.[4] Buddhism offers a strong code of ethics, one that encourages generosity—particularly in the support of monks—and the Five Precepts: refraining from killing living beings, stealing, sexual immorality, lying, and taking intoxicants.