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A short summary of Buddhism, in the past and present.
Buddhism is a very practical [[philosophy]], which teaches us to focus our attention on personal experience, to determine what is the cause of our discontents ("dukkha") and to find a way to liberate ourselves from these, all the while expressing "metta", which is universal, unconditional love, and "karuna", which roughly translates to "compassion", towards others. These teachings are encapsulated in the "Four Noble Truths".<ref>[http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/four_noble_truths.htm Four Noble Truths]</ref>
Buddhism is a very practical [[philosophy]], which teaches us to focus our attention on personal experience, to determine what is the cause of our discontents ("dukkha") and to find a way to liberate ourselves from these, all the while expressing "metta", which is universal, unconditional love, and "karuna", which roughly translates to "compassion", towards others. These teachings are encapsulated in the "Four Noble Truths".<ref>[http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/four_noble_truths.htm Four Noble Truths]</ref>
Buddhism is commonly held to be a relatively peaceful Religion, due to it's relative lack of a leader for the entire faith(as opposed to individual states), as well as a less "absolutist" view of morality, that encouraged not just acceptance of other faiths and ideas, but examination of the said ideas and, if neccesary, application to ones life. This also allows people to follow Buddhism as a philosophy, and Islam, Judaism or Christianity as a faith, without contradicting any principles of either following. It is worth noting, however, that it is impossible for one to follow Buddhism as a faith, and Christianity, Islam or most other religions as a philosophy. Although Buddhism does not forbid this, most religions are not structured to allow such a compromise.
However the ideals of tolerance and introspection among the Buddhist faithful were often ignored by the leaders of the a Buddhist nation(much like the leaders of most other states oftened disobeyed their own religions fundamental laws in the in the interest of what was practical). <ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref>
Significant numbers of citizens in Western nations have converted to Buddhism in recent years, like-wise their has been significant conversion from Buddhism to Christianity in Buddhist nations.
<ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref>
Regardless belief in Buddhist teachings does not exclude belief in other religions. For example there are Buddhist [[Christians]] who follow the religious teachings of [[Christ]] and also incorporate the philosophical teachings of Buddhism.
Regardless belief in Buddhist teachings does not exclude belief in other religions. For example there are Buddhist [[Christians]] who follow the religious teachings of [[Christ]] and also incorporate the philosophical teachings of Buddhism.
==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Upanishads]]
*[[Upanishads]]