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Religions of the world

Buddhism, based on the
teachings of Siddhartha Gautama

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Quotation by Siddh�rtha Gautama (Buddha):

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.

Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.

Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.

Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.

Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for many generations.

But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

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Topics covered in this section:

Overview & quotes.

Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?

A brief overview of the Buddha's life

An essay "About Buddhism" donated by Reema Singhal

Core Buddhist beliefs

A summary of Buddhism

Comparison of Buddhism with Christianity

Buddhist traditions in the East and West

A brief discussion

Theravada Buddhism (Southern Buddhism)

Mahayana tradition (Northern Buddhism)

Vajrayāna Buddhism(Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism)

	Tibetan Buddhism (Being written)
	Tantric sex

Ch�n and Zen Buddhism

Buddhism and violence -- a rare combination

Buddhism and homosexuality

Differences and similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism

Buddhism and homosexuality

Sources of Buddhist information and materials

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For an introduction to Buddhism, we recommend the following books. All have been rated at four or more stars out of five stars by Amazon.com visitors:

Thubten Chodron, "Buddhism for Beginners." Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English." Read reviews or order this book
Steve Hagen, "Buddhism Plain and Simple." Read reviews or order this book
Tich Nhat Hanh, "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching." Read reviews or order this book
Dalai Lama, "How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life." Read reviews or order this book

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