Changes

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

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

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>

* [[China]]: Buddhism is most widely practiced, with an estimated 100 million adherents.  

* [[China]]: Buddhism is most widely practiced, with an estimated 100 million adherents.  

* Tibet is an estimate, as their has never been a reliable survey. Furthermore, it is debatable whether Tibet should be considered an independant nation.

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

** [[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 preffered religion", yet "75% percent claim to practice and believe in no religion" -a more accurate estimate may be 20%.

** [[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 preffered religion", yet "75% percent claim to practice and believe in no religion" -a more accurate estimate may be 20%.