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'''Buddhism''' is a religious system whose followers seek liberation from suffering through adherence to the teachings of the Buddha [[Siddhartha Gautama]]. To Buddhists, sentient beings are trapped in an eternal cycle of death and rebirth (<i>samsara</i>), characterized by continual dissatisfaction or suffering (<i>dukkha</i>). Buddhism provides a practical set of teachings (the <i>dharma</i>) designed to help sentient beings achieve a state of freedom from dukkha. Buddhism teaches that individuals reincarnate involuntarily and repeatedly in the world of samsara, a cyclic process which ends for an individual when they attain Nirvana (Theravada) or Enlightenment (Mahayana), either in a human body or immediately upon death in their last involuntary cycle of samsara. Mahayana Buddhism holds, in addition, that the goal of Enlightenment is not merely release from one's own personal suffering in samsara, but also the release of all sentient beings, toward which an enlightened being or <i>Buddha</i> is, by nature, committed to work through compassionate action. To this end, a Buddha may voluntarily reincarnate to help release all sentient beings from samsara.

'''Buddhism''' is a religious system whose followers seek liberation from suffering through adherence to the teachings of the Buddha [[Siddhartha Gautama]]. To Buddhists, sentient beings are trapped in an eternal cycle of death and rebirth (''samsara''), characterized by continual dissatisfaction or suffering (''dukkha''). Buddhism provides a practical set of teachings (the ''dharma'') designed to help sentient beings achieve a state of freedom from dukkha. Buddhism teaches that individuals reincarnate involuntarily and repeatedly in the world of samsara, a cyclic process which ends for an individual when they attain Nirvana (Theravada) or Enlightenment (Mahayana), either in a human body or immediately upon death in their last involuntary cycle of samsara. Mahayana Buddhism holds, in addition, that the goal of Enlightenment is not merely release from one's own personal suffering in samsara, but also the release of all sentient beings, toward which an enlightened being or ''Buddha'' is, by nature, committed to work through compassionate action. To this end, a Buddha may voluntarily reincarnate to help release all sentient beings from samsara.

[[Image:Nara.jpg|thumb|200px|Great Buddha at [[Nara]]]]

[[Image:Nara.jpg|thumb|200px|Great Buddha at [[Nara]]]]

==Founder==

==Founder==

Buddhism was founded by an [[India|Indian]] prince, [[Siddhartha Gautama]], who, after being sheltered from coming into contact with suffering due to disease, poverty and death until adulthood, finally observed the suffering of his people during his first walk outside the palace grounds.  After that he worked to discover the reason for suffering and pain. He studied a number of the disciplines of the day, seeking ultimate truth. After finding other approaches to understanding lacking, he went into meditation for 49 days, vowing not to move until he had attained enlightenment. After great personal struggle he achieved enlightenment, and began to teach the principles that are now associated with Buddhism.

Buddhism was founded by an [[India]]n prince, [[Siddhartha Gautama]], who, after being sheltered from coming into contact with suffering due to disease, poverty and death until adulthood, finally observed the suffering of his people during his first walk outside the palace grounds.  After that he worked to discover the reason for suffering and pain. He studied a number of the disciplines of the day, seeking ultimate truth. After finding other approaches to understanding lacking, he went into meditation for 49 days, vowing not to move until he had attained enlightenment. After great personal struggle he achieved enlightenment, and began to teach the principles that are now associated with Buddhism.

The philosophy has its roots in [[Hinduism]] and Vedic religion, to which Gautama belonged until the foundation of Buddhism.

The philosophy has its roots in [[Hinduism]] and Vedic religion, to which Gautama belonged until the foundation of Buddhism.

==Buddhism in Antiquity==

==Buddhism in Antiquity==

Buddhism has been an important part of the culture in many eastern countries, such as [[Cambodia]], [[Thailand]], and [[India]].  It has endured active persecution when conflicting with older beliefs such as [[Hinduism]], and led in many countries to the rise of Buddhist warrior-dissidents, as well as such interesting anomalies as ''shinshi'' (transliterated from the Khmer), a form of torture wherein strips of flesh are removed slowly from the forehead. <ref>Schlesinger, Robert.  ''Schlesinger's History of the East'', 2nd ed.  New York: Camport & Sons, 1986.</ref>

Buddhism has been an important part of the culture in many eastern countries, such as [[Cambodia]], [[Thailand]], and [[India]].  It has endured active persecution when conflicting with older beliefs such as [[Hinduism]], and led in many countries to the rise of Buddhist warrior-dissidents, as well as such interesting anomalies as ''shinshi'' (transliterated from the Khmer), a form of torture wherein strips of flesh are removed slowly from the forehead.<ref>Schlesinger, Robert.  ''Schlesinger's History of the East'', 2nd ed.  New York: Camport & Sons, 1986.</ref>

==Branches of Buddhism==

==Branches of Buddhism==

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<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, for the [[Chinese]] [[Communist]]s 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]]

==Buddhism and abortion==

==Buddhism and abortion==

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>

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==

<References/>

<References/>

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Kamakura]]

* [[Kamakura]]

* [[Nara]]

* [[Nara]]

* [[Oriental art]]

* [[Oriental art]]

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