Changes

It should be noted that the ideals of tolerance and introspection among the Buddhist faithful were often ignored by the leaders of Buddhist nations (much like the leaders of most other nations often disobeyed their own religions' fundamental laws in the interest of what was practical) <ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref> and persecution of Christians in predominantly Buddhist nations does occur today.<ref>http://www.persecution.org/whitepapers/vietnam-2002-03.html</ref><ref>http://www.christianpersecution.info/news/new-evidence-of-religious-persecution-in-vietnam-despite-release-prisoner/</ref><ref>http://persecution.org/Countries/laos.html</ref> It is important to note here that the beliefs of the populace and those of the leadership do not necessarily always coincide (ref. Israel under Roman control). It is important to note that only around 55% of Vietnam is Buddhist (see below), and that Buddhist monks took an active role in protesting the corrupt Diem regime and the Vietnam War.

It should be noted that the ideals of tolerance and introspection among the Buddhist faithful were often ignored by the leaders of Buddhist nations (much like the leaders of most other nations often disobeyed their own religions' fundamental laws in the interest of what was practical) <ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref> and persecution of Christians in predominantly Buddhist nations does occur today.<ref>http://www.persecution.org/whitepapers/vietnam-2002-03.html</ref><ref>http://www.christianpersecution.info/news/new-evidence-of-religious-persecution-in-vietnam-despite-release-prisoner/</ref><ref>http://persecution.org/Countries/laos.html</ref> It is important to note here that the beliefs of the populace and those of the leadership do not necessarily always coincide (ref. Israel under Roman control). It is important to note that only around 55% of Vietnam is Buddhist (see below), and that Buddhist monks took an active role in protesting the corrupt Diem regime and the Vietnam War.

Many of Buddhism's tenets might be considered to promote a 'liberal' lifestyle: vegetarianism, absolute pacifism, tolerance, lack of condemnation of homosexuality, agnosticism, etc. In particular, altered forms of Buddhism have been used in the atheistic American [[New Age]] movement. [[Liberals]], in keeping with [[relativism]], have been known to pick and choose which aspects of Buddhism to follow, while openly breaking other Buddhist teachings, like those forbidding drug use and sexual promiscuity.

Many of what [[liberals]] mistakenly believe to be Buddhism's "tenets" might be considered to promote a 'liberal' lifestyle: [[vegetarianism]], absolute [[pacifism]] (a gross misunderstanding by liberals), [[tolerance]], lack of condemnation of homosexuality (an entirely ignorant liberal misunderstanding of Buddhism), [[agnosticism]], etc.

 

However, if one reads the Buddhist [[Sutra]] scriptures and both modern and ancient [[Exegesis|Shastra]] commentaries you will find explicit condemnation of [[homosexuality]], no mention of agnosticism, nor a denying of [[God]] or a "Supreme Being". One will not find an absolute pacifism in the Mahayana Sutras but a nuanced expedient understanding of when [[violence]], even with [[weapon]]s, is permissible for both [[self defense]] and national defense during times of [[war]] or to prevent evil such as [[genocide]] from being perpetrated by a [[dictator]] such as [[Stalin]] or [[Mao]]. In particular, perverted alterations of Buddhism have been used in the [[atheism|atheistic]] American [[New Age]] movement. [[Liberals]], in keeping with [[relativism]] (particularly [[moral relativism]], have been known to pick and choose which aspects of Buddhism to follow, while openly breaking other Buddhist teachings, like those forbidding [[alcohol]], [[drug abuse|drug use]] and sexual [[promiscuity]] (see [[Five Precepts]]).

==The Eightfold Path==

==The Eightfold Path==

:* Right Speech - Instructs the practitioner of Buddhism in how to speak to others. Emphasizes telling the truth, avoiding gossip and idle chatter, and speaking in a polite, pacifying manner. This path also scorns against hateful, divisive speech.

:* Right Speech - Instructs the practitioner of Buddhism in how to speak to others. Emphasizes telling the truth, avoiding gossip and idle chatter, and speaking in a polite, pacifying manner. This path also scorns against hateful, divisive speech.

:* Right Action - This path instructs the practitioner in how to act in a morally upright manner, abstaining from violence, stealing, taking a life, and sexual misconduct.

:* Right Action - This path instructs the practitioner in how to act in a morally upright manner, abstaining from violence, stealing, taking a life, and sexual misconduct.

:* Right Livelihood -  This instructs the practitioner to not engage in trades which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm to another living thing. These include Arms dealing, Human trade, working with animals raised to be slaughtered, or selling alcohol or drugs.

:* Right Livelihood -  This instructs the practitioner to not engage in trades which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm to another living thing. These include arms dealing, human trade, working with animals raised to be slaughtered, or selling alcohol or drugs.

:* Right effort - This is the teaching of ridding oneself of all harmful thought, words, and deeds, and prevent new ones from emerging.

:* Right effort - This is the teaching of ridding oneself of all harmful thought, words, and deeds, and prevent new ones from emerging.

:* Right Mindfulness - This teaches the practitioner to be focused on their own mind and aware or changes and phenomena affecting them, never to act or speak in error due to inattention or forgetfulness.

:* Right Mindfulness - This teaches the practitioner to be focused on their own mind and aware or changes and phenomena affecting them, never to act or speak in error due to inattention or forgetfulness.

:* Right Concentration - This path teaches the practitioner how to meditate, calming the body and mind through measured breathing and repetition of a word or phrase. Using this practice allows the person to focus on what they have learned, and through dwelling on those teachings, gain knowledge of the world around them.  

:* Right Concentration - This path teaches the practitioner how to [[meditation|meditate]], calming the body and mind through measured or conscious [[breathing]] and repetition of a word or phrase such as a [[mantra]] or [[prayer]]. Using this practice allows the person to focus on what they have learned, and through dwelling on those teachings, gain knowledge of the world around them.  

==Buddhism in Antiquity==

==Buddhism in Antiquity==

'''Theravada'''

'''Theravada'''

Therevaden Buddhism, sometimes derisively known as Hinyama (lesser vehicle) by some Mahayana Buddhist practitioners, is what can be described as the earliest advent of Buddhism and the closest to the original philosophy founded by the Buddha and is regarded by practitioners as the more conservative of the three divisions.   

Therevaden Buddhism, sometimes derisively known as Hinayana (lesser vehicle) by some Mahayana Buddhist practitioners, is what can be described as the earliest advent of Buddhism and the closest to the original philosophy founded by the Buddha and is regarded by practitioners as the more conservative of the three divisions.   

Central to the Theravadan school of thought is the notion of Vibhajjavada<ref>http://palikanon.com/english/wtb/u_v/vibhajja_vaada.htm</ref> or Teaching of Analysis.  This notion holds that true insight for a student comes from a combination of critical reasoning and non-reliance on blind faith, though the teachings and writings of one's elders should be considered.

Central to the Theravadan school of thought is the notion of Vibhajjavada<ref>http://palikanon.com/english/wtb/u_v/vibhajja_vaada.htm</ref> or Teaching of Analysis.  This notion holds that true insight for a student comes from a combination of critical reasoning and non-reliance on blind faith, though the teachings and writings of one's elders should be considered.

Theravadan Buddhism's main text can be considered the Pali Cannon, though a wealth of scripture, sutras and treatises have arisen and shall continue to be written as the philosophy continues to diversify.

Theravadan Buddhism's main text can be considered the Pali Cannon, though a wealth of scripture, sutras and treatises have arisen and shall continue to be written as the philosophy continues to diversify.

'''Mahayana'''

'''[[Mahayana]]'''

Mahayana Buddhism, literally "Great Vehicle," is one of the other main branches of Buddhism and is popular in East Asian countries such as [[China]], [[Korea]], [[Japan]] and [[Tibet]]. Whereas Theravada Buddhism focuses on induvidual enlightenment, Mahayana is Buddhism for the masses. Indeed, it is often called Buddhism for the masses. Furthermore, Mahayana holds bodhivisattvas in esteem. To put an analogy to it, bodhivisattvas are similar to saints, preachers, or even teachers in Christianity. Bodhivisattvas are enlightened ones who choose to remain in the cycle of samsara for the hope of helping others towards enlightenment. Gautama is perhaps the most famous of these bodhivisattvas.

Mahayana Buddhism, literally "Great Vehicle," is one of the other main branches of Buddhism and is popular in East Asian countries such as [[China]], [[Korea]], [[Japan]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Tibet]]. Whereas Theravada Buddhism focuses on individual enlightenment, Mahayana is Buddhism for the masses. Indeed, it is often called Buddhism for the masses. Furthermore, Mahayana holds [[Bodhivisattva]]s in esteem. To put an analogy to it, Bodhivisattvas are similar to [[saint]]s, preachers, or even teachers in Christianity. Bodhivisattvas are enlightened ones who choose to remain in the cycle of [[samsara]] for the hope of helping others towards enlightenment. [[Guanyin]] (or Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit) is the most famous of these Bodhivisattvas.

Adherents of this branch of Buddhism believe in improving both their own consciousness and the world. They acknowledge that this approach would slow down the goal of overcoming suffering and have adopted "We should reach Nirvana as the last ones" as their bodhisattva vow.<ref>http://www.cs.ru.nl/~henk/BP/bp1.html#SECTION00022000000000000000</ref>

Adherents of this branch of Buddhism believe in improving both their own consciousness and the world. They acknowledge that this approach would slow down the goal of overcoming suffering and have adopted "We should reach Nirvana as the last ones" as their Bodhisattva vow.<ref>http://www.cs.ru.nl/~henk/BP/bp1.html#SECTION00022000000000000000</ref>

==Buddhism Today==

==Buddhism Today==

|'''Percent'''

|'''Percent'''

|-

|-

|Thailand

|[[Thailand]]

|95%  

|95%  

|-

|-

|Cambodia

|[[Cambodia]]

|90  

|90  

|-

|-

|Myanmar

|[[Myanmar]]

|88

|88

|-

|-

|Bhutan

|[[Bhutan]]

|75  

|75  

|-

|-

|Sri Lanka

|[[Sri Lanka]]

|70  

|70  

|-

|-

|Tibet*

|[[Tibet]]*

|65  

|65  

|-

|-

|Laos

|[[Laos]]

|60

|60

|-

|-

|Vietnam

|[[Vietnam]]

|55  

|55  

|-

|-

|Japan**

|[[Japan]]**

|50

|50

<nowiki>*</nowiki> [[China]]: Is the country with the most Buddhists, with an estimated 100 million adherents.  

<nowiki>*</nowiki> [[China]]: Is the country with the most Buddhists, with an estimated 100 million adherents.  

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Tibet is an estimate, as there has never been a reliable survey. Furthermore, it is debatable whether Tibet should be considered an independent nation.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> [[Tibet]] is an estimate, as there has never been a reliable survey. Furthermore, for the [[Chinese]] [[Communist]]s it is debatable whether Tibet should be considered an independent nation.

<nowiki>**</nowiki> [[Japan]] is an "odd" case, as surveys of adherence are conducted rather differently. Firstly it is debatable at what point various Japanese beliefs shift from being traditions to being religions. This is indicated by the fact that "85% of Japanese claim Buddhism as their preferred religion", yet "75% percent claim to practice and believe in no religion" -a more accurate estimate may be 20%.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_buddhist.html The Largest Buddhist Communities]</ref>

<nowiki>**</nowiki> [[Japan]] is an "odd" case, as surveys of adherence are conducted rather differently. Firstly it is debatable at what point various Japanese beliefs shift from being traditions to being religions. This is indicated by the fact that "85% of Japanese claim Buddhism as their preferred religion", yet "75% percent claim to practice and believe in no religion" -- a more accurate estimate may be 20%.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_buddhist.html The Largest Buddhist Communities]</ref>

[[Image:Obon.jpg|thumb|Obon remains one of the most important Buddhist observances]]

[[Image:Obon.jpg|thumb|Obon remains one of the most important Buddhist observances]]

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

==Buddhism and abortion==

==Buddhism and abortion==

Buddhists believe that causing death is moraly wrong. Traditional Buddhists are opposing abortion because it involves the deliberate destroying of a life.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/abortion.shtml</ref>

Buddhists believe that causing death is morally wrong. Traditional Buddhists are opposing abortion because it involves the deliberate destroying of a life. Numerous Buddhist [[Sutra]] [[scripture]]s, such as the ''Shurangama Sutra'' assert that [[life]] begins at [[conception]] and that is when the "[[soul]]" ("vijnana") enters the body of the [[fetus]]. <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/abortion.shtml</ref>

==References==

==References==

*  Rapaport, Al,  and Brian Hotchkiss. ''Buddhism in America'' (1998) [http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-America-Al-Rapaport/dp/0804831521/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262316921&sr=1-10 excerpt and text search]

*  Rapaport, Al,  and Brian Hotchkiss. ''Buddhism in America'' (1998) [http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-America-Al-Rapaport/dp/0804831521/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262316921&sr=1-10 excerpt and text search]

* Seager, Richard Hughes. ''Buddhism in America'' (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-America-Richard-Hughes-Seager/dp/0231108699/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262316921&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Seager, Richard Hughes. ''Buddhism in America'' (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-America-Richard-Hughes-Seager/dp/0231108699/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262316921&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]

[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Meditation]]

[[Category:Philosophy]]