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=== Buddhism ===

=== Buddhism ===

Siddhartha Gautama was a royal Hindu prince who lived from 563 to 483 B.C.  As a young prince he was disturbed by seeing suffering in old people and also sick people.  On one occasion, he saw a dead body (a corpse) and was deeply upset by it.  As a Hindu, Prince Siddhartha believed in reincarnation but the possibility of repeated suffering in many lives disturbed him further.  According to legend, he meditated for a long time under a tree and emerged from it as the "Enlightened One" who founded the new religion of Buddhism.  Once he became the Buddha, his followers referred to him as "Buddha Shakyamuni" ("Shakya" is the name of his royal family and "Muni" means "Able One."), or simply "the Buddha" for short.  The term "Buddha" today can also apply to any "Awakened One" in the religion of Buddhism.   

Siddhartha Gautama was a royal Hindu prince who lived from 563 to 483 B.C.  As a young prince he was disturbed by seeing suffering in old or sick people.  On one occasion, he saw a dead body (a corpse) and was deeply upset by it.  As a Hindu, Prince Siddhartha believed in reincarnation but the possibility of repeated suffering in many lives disturbed him further.  According to legend, he meditated for a long time under a tree and emerged from it as the "Enlightened One" who founded Buddhism.  Once he became the Buddha, his followers referred to him as "Buddha Shakyamuni" ("Shakya" was the name of his royal family, and "muni" means "able one" -> "Shakyamuni"), or simply "the Buddha" for short.  The term "Buddha" today can also apply to any "Awakened One" in Buddhism.   

Although the above paragraph refers to Buddhism as a "religion", that is disputed by many.  Buddhism has no "God", and is often described as a "belief system" rather than as a "religion".

Buddhism has no "God", and is often described as a "belief system" rather than as a "religion".

Siddhartha declared that happiness is found not by improving one's "karma" under Hinduism, but by embracing Four Noble Truths:  (1) suffering is universal, (2) craving or desire causes it, (3) the cure is to eliminate the craving or desire, and (4) following the Eightfold Path helps eliminate this desire in order to attain "nirvana".  Nirvana is a release from suffering to attain inner peace and complete contentment.  The Eightfold Path is a multifaceted guide to nirvana that relies on wisdom (right view and intention); ethics (right speech, action & livelihood); and mind (right effort, mindfulness & concentration).  In other words, the Eightfold Path is a system of meditation that can be followed by anyone at any social or caste level, which makes Buddhism more attractive to the lower class than Hinduism, which calls them untouchables.

Siddhartha declared that happiness is found not by improving one's "karma" under Hinduism, but by embracing Four Noble Truths:  (1) suffering is universal, (2) craving or desire causes it, (3) the cure is to eliminate the craving or desire, and (4) following the Eightfold Path helps eliminate this desire in order to attain "nirvana".  Nirvana is a release from suffering to attain inner peace and complete contentment.  The Eightfold Path is a multifaceted guide to nirvana that relies on wisdom (right view and intention); ethics (right speech, action & livelihood); and mind (right effort, mindfulness & concentration).  In other words, the Eightfold Path is a system of meditation that can be followed by anyone at any social or caste level, which makes Buddhism more attractive to the lower class than Hinduism, which calls them untouchables.

Legend states that forty-nine (49) days after the Buddha's enlightenment, he began teaching.  He taught the first Wheel of "Dharma" (one's duty or nature) to achieve protection from suffering.  The Buddha also taught the Hinayana, or Lesser Vehicle, of Buddhism. Later, the Buddha taught the second and third Wheels of Dharma.  Together these teachings became the source of the Mahayana, or Great Vehicle, of Buddhism.  The Hinayana teaching describes how to attain freedom from suffering for oneself alone.  The Mahayana teaching describes how to attain full enlightenment ("Buddhahood") for the sake of others.  The Buddha encouraged everyone to practice Dharma to improve inner peace and happiness, and improve the quality of life.  Inner peace is considered under Buddhism to be the key to outward peace.

Legend states that 49 days after the Buddha's enlightenment, he began teaching.  He taught the first Wheel of "Dharma" (one's duty or nature) to achieve protection from suffering.  Later, the Buddha taught the second and third Wheels of Dharma.  Together these teachings became the source of the Mahayana, or Great Vehicle, of Buddhism.  The Mahayana teaching describes how to attain full enlightenment ("Buddhahood") for the sake of others.  The Buddha also taught the Hinayana, or Lesser Vehicle, of Buddhism.  The Hinayana teaching describes how to attain freedom from suffering for oneself alone.  '''The Buddha encouraged everyone to practice Dharma to improve inner peace and happiness, and improve the quality of life.  Inner peace is considered under Buddhism to be the key to outward peace.'''

What is the practice of Buddhism like?  Buddhists seek a moral life that emphasizes meditation.  The goal of the meditation is to end cravings and desires and attain a release from suffering, or "nirvana".  Buddhism encourages increased wisdom and understanding.  Buddhists tend not to proselytize aggressively, but fully accept converts.  There are Buddhists in most countries today.

What is the practice of Buddhism like?  Buddhists seek a moral life that emphasizes meditation.  The goal of the meditation is to end cravings and desires and attain a release from suffering, or "nirvana".  Buddhism also encourages increased wisdom and understanding.  Buddhists tend not to proselytize aggressively, but does fully accept converts.  There are Buddhists in most countries today.

Founded in India, Buddhism has grown to become the fourth largest world religion (behind Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, in that order).  A strict version of Buddhism spread in Southeast Asia (e.g., Cambodia and Vietnam).  A more liberal (less strict) version spread into China, Japan and Korea.  Buddhism has a larger following in the U.S. today than Hinduism, but Hinduism is much stronger than Buddhism in India.

Founded in India, Buddhism has grown to become the fourth largest world religion (behind Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, in that order).  A strict version of Buddhism spread in Southeast Asia (e.g., Cambodia and Vietnam).  A more liberal (less strict) version spread into China, Japan and Korea.  Buddhism has a larger following in the U.S. today than Hinduism, but Hinduism is much stronger than Buddhism in India. The most famous Buddhist is probably the Dalia Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize and lives in exile in India after advocating independence for Tibet from communist China.

There are many statues of the Buddha, and they vary from country to county to show the Buddha as an inhabitant of the local country.  The hand position (mudras) in the statute shows whether the Buddha is teaching, giving a blessing, or meditating.

There are many statues of the Buddha, and they vary from country to county to show the Buddha as an inhabitant of the local country.  The hand position (mudras) in the statute shows whether the Buddha is teaching, giving a blessing, or meditating.

=== Comparison of Hinduism with Buddhism ===

=== Comparison of Hinduism with Buddhism ===

Buddhism is less moral than Hinduism, which is highly moral and based on castes.  Buddhism welcomes all and has an easier time gain converts than Hinduism does.

Buddhism welcomes all and has an easier time gain converts than Hinduism does.  But Hinduism, with its stronger emphasis on families and a social structure, has far more adherents than Buddhism does.

There are many similarities between the two religions.  Buddha himself was a Hindu.  Here is a list of what Hinduism and Buddhism have in common:

There are many similarities between the two religions.  Buddha himself was a Hindu.  Here is a list of what Hinduism and Buddhism have in common:

1.  Both religions promote meditation or other forms of spiritual practice.

1.  Both religions promote meditation and other forms of spiritual practice.

2.  Both religions preach non-violence towards all forms of life.

2.  Both religions preach non-violence towards all forms of life.

But keep in mind the key differences between Buddhism and Hinduism:

But keep in mind the key differences between Buddhism and Hinduism:

1.  Buddhism does not believe in the existence of souls or "first cause" (God).  For this reason many do not consider Buddhism to be a true religion, but merely a belief system.  Hinduism believes that Brahman is the Supreme Creator and that the soul (Atman) does exist.

1.  Buddhism does not believe in the existence of souls or "first cause" (God).  For this reason many do not consider Buddhism to be a true religion, but merely a belief system.  In contrast, Hinduism believes that Brahman is the Supreme Creator and that the soul (Atman) does exist.

2.  Buddhism views the world as filled with sorrow, and the highest goal of human life is to end sorrow.  Hinduism has four major goals for everyone to pursue:  religious duty (dharma), wealth (artha), desires (kama) and salvation (moksha).

2.  Buddhism views the world as filled with sorrow, and the highest goal of human life is to end sorrow.  In contrast, Hinduism has four major goals for everyone to pursue:  religious duty (dharma), wealth (artha), desires (kama) and salvation (moksha).

3.  Hinduism believes in four stages in life (ashramas), while Buddhism rejects this.

3.  Hinduism believes in four stages in life (ashramas), while Buddhism rejects this.

6.  Buddhism rejects the sacred scriptures of Hinduism, the Vedas.

6.  Buddhism rejects the sacred scriptures of Hinduism, the Vedas.

The Hindu response to the competition presented by Buddhism was to treat the Buddha as another god of Hinduism (the incarnation of Mahavishnu, one of the gods of the Hindu trinity).  This was typical of how Hinduism adapted to other religions to thwart the competitive threats.  This enabled Hinduism to remain far more popular than Buddhism within India, but not outside India.

The Hindu response to the competition presented by Buddhism was to treat Buddha as another god of Hinduism (the incarnation of Mahavishnu, one of the gods of the Hindu trinity).  This was typical of how Hinduism adapted to other religions to thwart the competitive threats.  This enabled Hinduism to remain far more popular than Buddhism within India, but not outside India.

=== India's Contributions ===

=== India's Contributions ===

What can we thank ancient India for?  Our Arabic numerals, which are derived from Hindu numbers.  Also, near the end of classical India (around A.D. 500) the game of chess was invented in India.  Note that the game of chess does not involve any chance; Hinduism is against gambling.  The original game of chess lacked the powerful "queen", and Muslim versions of the game lack the queen to this day.   

What can we thank ancient India for?  Our Arabic numerals, which are derived from Hindu numbers.  Also, near the end of classical India (around A.D. 500) the game of chess was invented there.  Note that the game of chess does not involve any chance; Hinduism is against gambling.  The original game of chess lacked the powerful "queen", and Muslim versions of the game lack the queen to this day.   

Vedic mathematics, which is an ancient math system found in the Hindu scriptures, is taught to this day.  It emphasizes solving complex math problems orally.  India first discovered the concept of "zero" around the sixth century, which was a huge breakthrough.

Vedic mathematics, which is an ancient math system found in the Hindu scriptures, is taught to this day.  It emphasizes solving complex math problems orally.  '''India first discovered the separate concept of "zero" around the sixth century, which was a significant intellectual breakthrough.'''

Indian religion adds a transcendental quality that has found popularity worldwide in the form of meditation, and some American liberals left Christianity for it.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th century Massachusetts writer, was an example:  "I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavat-Gita.  It was the first of books; it was as if an empire spake to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions that exercise us."   

Indian religions add a transcendental quality that has found popularity worldwide in the form of meditation, and some American liberals left Christianity for it.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th century Massachusetts writer, was an example:  "I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavat-Gita.  It was the first of books; it was as if an empire spake to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions that exercise us."   

Today, the popularity of the English language in India, its low cost of living, and its intelligent workforce make it an attractive place for large American companies to relocate or "offshore" their jobs.  Often when Americans call "customer service" for large companies, they are actually reaching low-cost operators in India, sometimes using Americanized first names.

Today, the popularity of the English language in India, its low cost of living, and its intelligent workforce make it an attractive place for large American companies to relocate or "offshore" their jobs.  Often when Americans call "customer service" for large companies, they are actually reaching low-cost operators in India, sometimes using Americanized first names.

India is more than a country.  It is a subcontinent.  It is vast in size: two-fifths the area of all of Europe.  150 different languages are spoken there today.  Even though India has traditionally been a poor country, for decades it has produced more food than it can consume.

'''India is more than a country.''' It is a subcontinent.  It is vast in size: two-fifths the area of all of Europe.  150 different languages are spoken there today.  Even though India has traditionally been a poor country, for decades it has produced more food than it can consume.

== Major Belief Systems Today ==

== Major Belief Systems Today ==

|Shinto

|Shinto

|4 million

|4 million

|the official religion of Japan, key in World War II

|the official religion of Japan, had a key role in World War II

|-

|-

|Zoroastrianism

|Zoroastrianism