https://www.humanreligions.info/buddhism.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2023
#atheism #buddhism #hinduism #india #japan #monotheism #polytheism #religion #vedic_faiths
Buddhism | |||
Links: Pages on Buddhism, Other Religions | |||
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God(s) | Atheist | ||
Adherent | Buddhist | ||
Adherents | Buddhists | ||
Texts | Multifaceted. Includes Pali Canon and the Mahayana sutras, depending. | ||
Afterlife | Reincarnation until escape | ||
Founding | |||
---|---|---|---|
Heritage | Hinduism | ||
Area of Origin | India | ||
When | 1st millennium BCE | ||
Founder | From traditions based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama | ||
Buddhists in the World: 4% (2020)1 | |||
Cambodia (97%), Thailand (94%), Myanmar (89%), Bhutan (75%), Sri Lanka (70%), Laos (64%), Mongolia (51%), Japan (37%), Singapore (31%), Vietnam (23%) 1 |
The historical evidence does not make it easy to trace the beginnings of Buddhism except that it sprung out of, and shares many basic beliefs, with Hinduism and other Vedic Faiths. "During the reign of emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) Buddhism became a major Indian religion and was subsequently established across the whole subcontinent and beyond"2 and is now counted as one of the great world religions3,4,5,6. It has grown so diverse that it is very hard to define its core nature - in 1913 one scholar pointed out that "in Japan alone it has differentiated itself into thirteen main sects and forty-four sub-sects"7. Buddhism is a well-liked and respected atheist religion8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 and in the West; many attend Buddhist retreats, meditation centres and classes. Western Buddhist communities nearly all run such events for the general public. But in the West many who put "Buddhist" on census forms have merely attended some of these and who have an interest, but are not committed Buddhists, which artificially inflates the numbers.
Buddhism and Women (2025)
Zen Buddhism (2018)
Buddhist Extremism (2018)
Criticisms of Buddhism: Its History, Doctrine and Common Practices (2011)
Minor pages:
The Ethic of Reciprocity appears in many religions. Buddha said 'Let a man overcome anger by kindness, evil by good' - it is the same rule later adopted by Christians as their Golden Rule, by Pagans as the Wiccan Rede and by many others. Ethics Of Reciprocity like the Golden Rule and the Wiccan Rede Do Not Work.
The Buddhist Emperor Wang Mang was 'probably the first recorded ruler to abolish the slave trade' on Religion and Abolition of the Historical Slave Trade.
In the Five Precepts of Buddhist virtues, the one prohibiting harming livings beings “means that many Buddhists are vegetarians"20. Also see: The Benefits and Dangers of Vegetarianism.
Right Speech:: Tell the truth, speak kindly and wisely, don't stroke division or indulge in gossip: Buddhists, Christians and Muslims Must Debate Kindly, Patiently and Courteously
Pos. | Pew Forum (2020)1 | Pew Forum (2010)1 | Worldmapper (2005)21 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cambodia | 97.1% | 96.9% | 85.3% |
2 | Thailand | 94.4% | 93.4% | 83.0% |
3 | Myanmar | 89.1% | 87.6% | 73.7% |
4 | Bhutan | 74.7% | 74.7% | 65.9% |
5 | Sri Lanka | 69.6% | 70.1% | 68.4% |
6 | Laos | 64.2% | 64.0% | 43.1% |
7 | Mongolia | 51.1% | 53.9% | 22.5% |
8 | Japan | 37.2% | 41.8% | 55.0% |
9 | Singapore | 30.8% | 33.0% | 14.1% |
10 | Vietnam | 23.0% | 27.6% | 48.2% |
11 | Macau | 19.6% | 19.6% | |
12 | Taiwan | 19.2% | 20.9% | 20.8% |
13 | S. Korea | 19.0% | 25.6% | 15.1% |
14 | Malaysia | 18.9% | 19.8% | 6.8% |
15 | Hong Kong | 8.4% | 11.9% | 10.0% |
16 | Nepal | 8.2% | 9.0% | 9.5% |
17 | Brunei | 6.3% | 7.8% | 9.7% |
18 | China | 3.7% | 5.6% | 8.5% |
19 | Australia | 2.6% | 2.7% | 2.1% |
20 | Canada | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.2% |
21 | N. Korea | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
22 | Iceland | 1.3% | 0.4% | 0.2% |
23 | Maldives | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.6% |
24 | USA | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.9% |
25 | New Zealand | 1.2% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
26 | Guam | 1.1% | 1.1% | |
27 | Sweden | 0.8% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
28 | Seychelles | 0.8% | 0.8% | |
29 | France | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.7% |
30 | Norway | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
31 | India | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
32 | Indonesia | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.9% |
33 | Denmark | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
34 | New Caledonia | 0.6% | 0.6% | |
35 | Switzerland | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
36 | Italy | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
37 | Bangladesh | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
38 | Malta | 0.6% | 0.1% | |
39 | French Guiana | 0.6% | 0.6% | |
40 | Cyprus | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
World Avg | 4.1% | 4.9% | ||
q=201. |
The population of 7 countries are substantially Buddhist (2020)22 - meaning 40% or more of the population self-identify as such. Comparing them to the rest of the world:
On gross national income per-capita, Buddhist countries are much poorer than the global average, scoring $9 323 compared to $20 13623.
When it comes to overall responsibility towards the environment, Buddhist countries are close to the global average, ranking 85.53 compared to 84.93, across 21 datasets on the Social and Moral Development Index. See: Countries With the Best Environmental Records.
When it comes to overall health, Buddhist countries are only as good as the global average, ranking 88.84 compared to 96.4924, on average across 27 datasets on the Social and Moral Development Index. See: Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies. Specifically:
On life expectancy, Buddhist countries approximate the global average, scoring 71.60 compared to 71.2823. See: Life Expectancy and Longevity.
When it comes to fertility rate, Buddhist countries are better than the global average, scoring 2.05 compared to 2.4725. See: The Population of the Earth.
On overall human rights, equality & tolerance, Buddhist countries are worse than the global average, ranking 108.93 compared to 86.5526, on average across 21 datasets on the Social and Moral Development Index. See: Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?. Specifically:
On gender inequality, Buddhist countries are worse than the global average, scoring 0.39 compared to 0.3427. See: Religion Versus Womankind.
On LGBT equality, Buddhist countries are much worse than the global average, scoring 07.0 compared to 12.628. See: LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?.
There are few Buddhist dates listed due to the complexity & multiplicity of all the various calendars in use in south-east Asia.
Date | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|
Jan 16th Thursday (fixed) | Shinran Memorial Day | (Pure Land Buddhism). For the anniversary of the death of Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), who founded Buddhist Jodo Shin-shu (Shin Buddhism). |
Jan 25th Saturday (fixed) | Honen Shonin Memorial Day | (Japanese Buddhist). The Pure Land Buddhism school of Jodo Shin-shu was founded by Shinran. |
Feb 15th Saturday (fixed) | Parinirvana (Nirvana Day) | For the passing of Gautama Buddha. Observed by some on the 8th. |
Jul 15th Tuesday (3 days) (fixed) | Shichigatsu O-Bon | in Japan (Eastern Japan). Held elsewhere as Hachigatsu Bon (Aug 15th) or by some traditionalists as Kyu Bon (old Bon) on the 15th day of the 9th lunar month. A fusion of Japanese, Buddhist and Confucian beliefs, all concerning the honouring of ancestral spirits. |
Aug 8th Friday (this year) | Zong Qui Jie / Chung Ch'Iu (Festival of Hungry Ghosts) | in China. Spirits are given paper objects to aid those without descendants, to find Nirvana. |
Aug 15th Friday (3 days) (fixed) | Hachigatsu O-Bon | in Japan. Occurs a month earlier in Eastern Japan or by some traditionalists as Kyu Bon (old Bon) on the 15th day of the 9th lunar month. A fusion of Japanese, Buddhist and Confucian beliefs, all concerning the honouring of ancestral spirits. |
#buddhism #china #india #japan #magic #mahayana_buddhism #myanmar #nepal #pure_land_buddhism #religion #sri_lanka #thailand #theravada_buddhism #Tibet #tibetan_buddhism #vajrayana_buddhism #zen_buddhism
Buddhism developed both of its two main branches in India; Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism29. In its 2500-year history, Buddhism has developed many other factions, denominations and sects - so many that it is difficult to define its core nature. In 1913 one scholar pointed out that "in Japan alone it has differentiated itself into thirteen main sects and forty-four sub-sects"7. Here are the largest definable groups.
For more, see:
Use the title link for full descriptions; here they are in brief:
Theravada Buddhism. Founded in India in the 5th century BCE. Older and simpler Buddhism, based mainly on oral traditional of the first sngha (community)30, then written into the Pali texts based on varied stories of Buddha's teachings30,31. The name means 'teachings of the Elders' because it purports to be formed from the most ancient Buddhist communities (sanghas)32. It is also called 'Hinayana' which means 'Small Vehicle', but that is too easily used insultingly to mean 'inferior'31. It's also called "Southern Buddhism" because it is popular in south-east Asia, e.g. in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand31.
Pure Land Buddhism. Founded in the 2nd century BCE. Adherents aim to get reborn into specific mystical regions that are associated with various Buddhas, as a way of speeding up the escape from samsara and the attainment of Enlightenment. Most auspiciously, Amitabha Buddha rules the Pure Land where those faithful to him can go30.
Standard Pure Land meditations include fixing on mental images of specific buddhas, perhaps using a painting or status, perhaps combined with chanting or ritual gestures, with the aim of steering the next resurrection towards the realms that those buddhas inhabit.33
Mahayana Buddhism. Founded in India in the 1st century CE. "Great Vehicle" Buddhism32, which started with traditions from the Han Dynasty. Kaiten Nukariya7 said in 1913 that 'very little' is known of 'Northern Buddhism' outside of the Orient, because of translation difficulties31; but things are much better now and it has become the most practised form of Buddhism in the world. Starting with Pali texts, it added new stories and developed commentaries on original stories30. It adapted the rules for Buddhist monks in order to make them usable beyond India32 and all this helped spread Buddhism to China, Japan and Tibet30. In Mahayanan countries, you will often find shrines to figures such as Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara who represent Buddhist ideals33.
Vajrayana Buddhism. Founded in India in the 5th century CE. The newest of the three 'vehicles', with a focus more towards tantra, so much so that it is often called Tantric Buddhism29. Popular in Nepal, China, Japan and Tibet31.
Zen Buddhism [Link]. Founded in the 7th/8th century CE. Forms of Zen Buddhism are at least as old as Buddhism in general34. Zen is famous for its physical and mental training and its rejection of written scriptures35, and the concentration on logical mental dilemmas and paradoxes. Forms of Zen Buddhism are at least as old as Buddhism in general34. Zen is famous for its physical and mental training and its rejection of written scriptures35, and the concentration on logical mental dilemmas and paradoxes.
Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in Tibet, China in the 8th century CE. Developing from Indian Mahayana Buddhism and translated Theravada Buddhism texts30, Tibetan Buddhism developed its own canon and multiple unique practices, some based on local Tibetan Bon beliefs29.
See: " Buddhist Denominations and Major Divisions" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).
#afterlife #buddhism #christianity #hinduism #india #jainism #karma #new_age #reincarnation #sikhism #taoism #vedic_religions
William James says that Buddhism, like Christianity, is more "complete" than many other religions because it has attempted complex explanations of why suffering exists. See The Problem of Evil: Why Would a Good God Create Suffering?.
“Karma is an important concept in a range of Vedic religions and cultures, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism36,37, all stemming from Indian beliefs. Karma is a universal principal and cosmic law, like the Tao of Taoism38. Unlike Taoism, individual beings (and the entire universe) go through a large number of incarnations39. It is closely linked to the concept of continual rebirth (reincarnation)40. Although belief in Karma is a good tool for improving motivation to treat others well, it also has a worrying implication: Karma creates blames on those suffering from disabilities and other ailments, unfairly insinuating that they deserve their problems.
Original Jain beliefs had it that all actions had negative karma and only complete serenity and detachment could help the situation41. Later Jain beliefs came closer Hindu and Buddhist ideas: Acts of merit such as pilgrimages and worship can improve your next fate42. Eventually, beings can break free from the cycle and scape the evil world in which we all are trapped. In Hinduism and Jainism this liberation is called moksha39 and can come realisation that "the inner atman and the universal brahman are identical"39. It is held back by any accumulated karma39. In Buddhism the result is the attainment of enlightenment and nirvana. Western New Age movements have also taken on the concept "though sometimes with a degree of misunderstanding"42. All in all, more people on Earth believe in Karma through a series of rebirths than in any other religious principle.40,41,42,43,44,45”
"How Does Karma Work in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism?" by Vexen Crabtree (2017)
“Karma. A volitional action which is either wholesome or unwholesome, and in consequence either rewarded or punished.”
"Buddhist Scriptures" by Edward Conze (1959)46
In Buddhism, karma is not simple47. There are many streams of cause and effect (niamas). Ken Jones in "The Social Face of Buddhism"48 writes "all, however, are also expressions of a Universal Consciousness, alayavijnana. The 'law' of kamma and the 'law' of cause and effect are thus not synonymous in Buddhism. Kammaic 'law' is simply one kind of cause and effect relationship"47. Buddhism "rejects a fatalstic view of karma"42 which means that individuals can do something about it, by changing their behaviour, improving their outlook, avoiding bad deeds, and engaging in ethical behaviour47. Karma isn't just about actions: a lot of it is about internal state of mind, internal desire and internal psychology47. When it comes to Buddhism's multistreamed laws of cause and effect, thought crime has ramifications across multiple lifetimes.
“Buddhists believe that we are tied to the cycles of death and birth through desire and can be born again in many different forms. But they believe they can find a way to escape this cycle, to be finally released from reincarnation to reach nirvana.”
"Religions of the World" by Breuilly, O'Brien & Palmer (1997)43
“Traditional and canonical Buddhism extends the span of kamma through successive rebirths. The succession, however, is that of a vital energy, not of a reincarnated personality.”
"The Social Face of Buddhism" by Ken Jones (1989)47
“Karma was a pivotal concept in Indian thinking, around which turned the whole question of why life is as it is. ... It can act as an explanation of why misfortune happens when it is not recognisably the result of particular actions. [...] The importance of karma is that i[t] demonstrates the practicality of Buddhist teachings. Ethical considerations become paramount, because liberating oneself from the dis-ease of samsaric existence is a karmic matter.”
Bad karma resulting from previous bad decisions, in this life or in former lives, can cause suffering in the current incarnation. The Buddha said:
“Evil in the future is the fruit of bodily offence. Evil is the fruit of offence by word, by thought, in the future life. If I offend in deed, in word, in thought, should not I, when the body breaks up, after death be reborn in the Waste, the Way of Woe, the Downfall, the Purgatory?”
The Buddha
In Anguttara Nikaya Part 2, Chapter 1:149
There are many variations in specific beliefs between different Buddhist groups. One of the most unique is Mahayanan belief that upon finally achieving nirvana, the result is not annihilation, but, eternal existence in a place free from karma, without the worry of reincarnation. Some branches call it Pure Land, and also tell stories that there are various plains of distance at various distances from it; being reborn in them improves your chances of getting to Nirvana.50
#buddhism #china #confucianism #eastern_religion #religion_in_china #taoism
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Chinese folk religion are the four main forms of religion in China; their beliefs and practices have intermingled and interchanged over thousands of years, and most local communities combine parts of all of them52,53,54,55,56. China's earliest dynasties continued folk practices that have existed since pre-history, with religious leaders being shamans and guides speaking on behalf of the spirit world57 and a multitude of local gods and practices, and some of those ancient practices persist today in rural areas. Despite liberalisation over the past several decades, large numbers of Chinese - two thirds - do not consider themselves religious at all58 and most new religious movements are suppressed59,60.
Although Buddhism can be found in China from the 1st century CE, it didn't have much influence53 until after the tumultuous era at the end of the Han dynasty in the 3rd century CE when Confucianism fall out of favour61.
“... although it was not until at least the fifth century that reliable translations and scholarly study were being carried out in China. Buddhism complemented existing Chinese thought by adding a religious dimension related to the explanation of suffering and the path to liberation. Buddhist thought also added to Chinese metaphysics.”
"The Phenomenon Of Religion: A Thematic Approach" by Moojan Momen (1999)53
For more, see: