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[[Image:China B.jpg|right]]

'''Buddhism''' is the fifth largest religion in the world. It is a belief system which teaches that desire causes suffering and if desire is eliminated, enlightenment and [[Nirvana]] are attained. Buddhism is a [[Dharmic religion]]. The term Buddha means "the enlightened one."   

'''Buddhism''' is classified as the fifth largest religion in the world. It is a belief system which teaches that desire causes suffering and if desire is eliminated, enlightenment and [[Nirvana]] are attained. Buddhism is a [[Dharmic religion]] and is often viewed as a philosophy more than a religion because gods are not necessary or primary in Buddhist thought. Much of modern Buddhism is atheistic or agnostic in practice. The term Buddha means "the enlightened one."   

==Founder==

==Founder==

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 necessary, 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.<ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref>

Buddhism is commonly held to be a relatively peaceful religion, due to its less "absolutist" view of morality and the fluid nature of thought that encouraged not just acceptance of other faiths and ideas, but also examination of those ideas and, if necessary, applying them 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.<ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref>

 

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 in the interest of what was practical) <ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref> and persecution of Christians in predominantly Buddhist nations does occur today.

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 nation softened disobeyed their own religions fundamental laws in the in the interest of what was practical). <ref>http://buddhism.about.com/</ref>