BUDDHISM

Buddhists are found most commonly in Asia, the following countries have the highest percentage:

• Thailand 95%

• Cambodia 90%

• Myanmar 88% (Burma)

• Bhutan 75%

• Sri Lanka 70%

• Tibet 65%

• Laos 60%

• Vietnam 55%

• Japan 50%

• Macau 45%

• Taiwan 43%

Buddhist belief in the afterlife, Nirvana and karma

Buddhism is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.

A fundamental belief of Buddhism is reincarnation which is the concept that people are reborn after dying. The religion of Buddhism differentiates between reincarnation and rebirth. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again.

If a person releases their attachment to desire, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.

Karma is also a Buddhist belief, that all actions have consequences.

Every time a person acts there is some quality of intention at the base of the mind and it is that quality rather than the outward appearance of the action that determines its effect.

The practices of Buddhism

• Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two fundamental principles; the principal of equality and the principal of reciprocity (do onto others as you wish them to do onto you)

• Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom.

• Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.

The four noble truths:• Dukkha: ‘Suffering exists’;

suffering is real and universal• Samudaya: ‘There is a cause

for suffering’; it is the desire to have and control things

• Nirodha: ‘There is an end to suffering’; suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana

• Magga: ‘In order to end suffering you must follow the Eightfold Path’ (the buddhist beliefs)

The Five Precepts:

• Do not kill: An absence of violence, do not harm.

• Do not steal: interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud

• Do not lie: Interpreted as name calling, gossip

• Do not misuse sex• Do not consume alcohol or

other drugs: The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind.