Buddhism in Japan is often referred to as “funeral Buddhism” due to the dominance of Buddhist temples in the funeral industry and the perception that the religion is overly focused on death. As Buddhism loses popularity in Japan, some suggest that burial Buddhism may be responsible. Attempts have been made to reform the practice of […]
Mahayana Buddhism originated in India and emphasizes bodhicitta, the pursuit of enlightenment and compassion. It incorporates Mahayana sutras and teaches the emptiness of all things. It believes all living beings can become Buddhas and emphasizes altruism. It became the dominant form of Buddhism in East Asia in the 7th century. Mahayana Buddhism is one of […]
Theravada Buddhism emphasizes individual enlightenment through personal experience and investigation, while also valuing sage advice. The Noble Eightfold Path is followed to achieve spiritual awakening and meditation is key to erasing defilements and attaining Nirvana. It is practiced globally with over 100 million followers. There are two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana. Mahayana […]
Vajrayana Buddhism is a spiritual philosophy based on the teachings of Buddha, but attributed to Padmasambhava. It is closely associated with Mahayana and Theravada schools, and is considered the third yana of Buddhism. The path leading to Vajrayana is believed to have derived from the third turning of the wheel of dharma. Vajrayana is also […]
A bedside Buddhist is someone who identifies with the spiritual beliefs of Buddhism but may not fully embrace the culture and traditions of the religion. They may have had negative experiences with traditional organized religion and see Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion. Critics suggest that a casual approach to Buddhism lacks dedication […]
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gotama, who realized that non-attachment is the way to escape suffering. The Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path are the teachings that lead to Nirvana. There are two main types of Buddhism, Theravāda and Mahāyāna. Buddhism is nonreligious and compatible with other religions. The Dalai Lama is a respected […]
