We ask you, humbly, to help us. We hope you enjoy this web site and what it represents. If so, fantastic! The thing is ... we're an independent group of normal people who donate our time to bring you the content on this website. We hope that it makes a difference. Over the past year, expenses related to the site upkeep (from research to delivery) has increased ... while available funds to keep things afloat have decreased. We would love to continue bringing you the content, but we desperately need your help through monetary donations. Anything would help, from a one-off to small monthly donations. $3? $5? $15? The option is yours. Regardless, your help would be appreciated. Please click HERE to be taken to our donation page. Thank you so much. Bruce Robinson, Founder.

Religions of the world

Menu

Buddhism, based on the
teachings of Siddhartha Gautama

Quotation by Siddhãrtha 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."

Sponsored link

Background:

Buddhism currently has about 376 million followers and is generally listed as the world's fourth largest religion after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. It was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama (circa 563 to 460 BCE) and has spread into much of the far East. It is making major inroads into North America.

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 Chán and Zen Buddhism
	Buddhism and homosexuality
	Differences and similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism
	Buddhism and homosexuality
	Sources of Buddhist information and materials

Sponsored link:

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

Not a sponsored link

		Beliefnet Free Newsletters
		Receive a daily dose of wisdom, humor, inspiration and more. Beliefnet is a multi faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs -- in an interesting, captivating and engaging way. They are independent and are not affiliated with a particular religion or spiritual movement. You can choose from among: Ten newsletters that deal with "tools for living." Eight dealing with "religious wisdom" from a variety of faiths, including Buddhism. Five dealing with "Inspiration."

Copyright © 1996 to 2016 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2016-NOV-11
Author: B.A. Robinson

Custom Search .

Page Translator: This page translator works on Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Safari browsers only After translating, click on the "show original" button at the top of this page to restore page to English.