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The religion of Buddhism, based on
the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama:

An interesting 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."

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Background:

During 2021-JUL, Wikipedia listed Buddhism as the fourth largest religion in the world, after Christianity (31%), Islam (24%), and Hinduism (15%). It was had slightly more than a half billion adherents -- 6.9% of the world's population. See: https://en.wikipedia.org

Buddhism was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama (circa 563 to 460 BCE) and spread throughout much of the far East:

Cambodia is 97% Buddhist; Thailand: 93%; Myanmar: 80%; Bhutan: 75%; Sri Lanka 69%; Laos: 66%; Mongolia: 55%; Japan: 36%; Taiwan: 35%; Singapore: 33%; South Korea: 23%, Malaysia: 19.8%. The remaining countries have fewer than 20% Buddhists. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_irreligion

Buddhists form only about 1% of the U.S. population. About 40% of them live in Southern California.

"NOTAs" and "NONES" both refer to people who are not affiliated with any religion. They, include secularists, nonreligious, Agnostics, and Atheists. They range from over 50% in China to less than 10% elsewhere, and average about 7% worldwide.

Introduction topics:

	Overview & quotations
	Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy? -- or perhaps both
	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
	An article by Miranda Booker comparing Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim funeral & mourning customs
	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 (To be written in the future) Tantric sex Chán and Zen Buddhism
	Buddhism and violence -- a rare combination
	Buddhism and homosexuality
	Differences and similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism
	Sources of Buddhist information and materials

	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
	An article by Miranda Booker comparing Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim funeral & mourning customs
	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 (To be written in the future) Tantric sex Chán and Zen Buddhism
	Buddhism and violence -- a rare combination
	Buddhism and homosexuality
	Differences and similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism
	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

Edward Waltz's web site has an article based on Buddha's teaching, titled: "How to [be] happy in life with 1 big secret." It is based on the principle that: "The more you seek inside of you, the more happiness you have. The more you seek outside of you, the more suffering you have."

Copyright © 2021 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2021-AUG-25
Author: B.A. Robinson

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