Download Tantric Buddhism is mainly in the Himalayan

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Introduction To Buddhism Fact Sheet:
Tantric:
Tantric Buddhism is mainly in the Himalayan nations of Tibet and Nepal. The
word Tantric means Tantra. The word tantra means books dealings with rituals, discipline,
and meditation. Monks and priests in Tibet are knows as lamas, so Tantric Buddhism is
also called Lamaism. Tantric Buddhism first came to be in Tibet in the 7th century A.D. It
mixed together Indian Buddhism and Tibetan beliefs. This form of Buddhism is totally
different from other forms of Buddhism. This type of Buddhism consists of worshiping by
reciting prayers and sacred texts, along with chanting of hymns. Also, they meditate around
mandalas, circular diagrams that represent a universe. There is also, blowing of trumpets
and the playing of drums. Dancing lamas wear masks and perform rituals to scare away
spirits, which comes into magic charms and mystical incantations.
Zen:
Zen Buddhism has two types of schools. Soto and Rinzai. Soto Zen holds that enlightenment can
be attainted gradually. Rinzai Zen teaches that enlightenment comes with insight and
awareness. Zen Buddhism derived from China. Then it was called Chan. Chan means "meditation".
Pure Land:
Pure Land is also called Jodo-shu. It helped some Buddhist feel like there was a heaven like
Nirvana. Pure Land is believed to be a Most Happy Land ruled by a Buddha named Amida.
Pure Land is described to be a place where there is no pain. Everything is fun and
pleasurable. There is always heavenly music playing, with beautiful birds everywhere. Lakes are
full of gems and ponds filled with gold dust. When a good Buddhist dies he/she is automatically
reborn into Amida's Pure Land.
Philosophy:
Buddhism is not a faith of idolatry but, rather, encourages free thought. It is more than a
religion and goes beyond rituals and traditions. Buddhism is a profound philosophy
discovered and taught by the Buddha over 2,600 years ago. It explains life and the world we
live in.
Besides addressing the truths of our existence, the Four Noble Truths reminds us that we are
all capable of ending life’s sufferings and escaping from the cycle of birth and death (Third
Noble Truth). The Fourth Noble Truth identifies the way to do this, as taught by the Buddha. It
shows us the path to realize the potential we each have within to attain the highest level of
spiritual liberation.
Life is suffering
The cause of suffering is attachment
The cessation of suffering is attainable
The path to the cessation of suffering
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Introduction To Buddhism Fact Sheet
Demographics and geographic:
 There are about 488 million Buddhists worldwide, representing 7% of the
world’s total population as of 2010.
 Buddhism began in Asia, and the vast majority of all Buddhists (nearly
99%) still live in the Asia- Pacific region. Only two other regions – North
America (3.9 million) and Europe (1.3 million) – have more than 1
million Buddhists.
 Globally, Buddhists are older (median age of 34) than the overall
population (median age of 28).
Creation of Buddhism:
 The founder of Buddhism is Sakyamuni Buddha. He was born around 600
B.C. as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, in what is now Nepal.
 Other cultures have portrayed the Buddha as a potbellied man with a huge
smile; however, Siddhartha Gautama would not have looked anything like
this. This phenomena shows that Buddha is a deity that man is welcome to
create replications of as oppose to deities such as the prophet Mohamed of
Islam.
After The Buddha’s death in 486 B.C. Buddhism split into five sects:
Theravada:
"Theravada" means "teaching of the elders." These Buddhist believe that their
for of Buddhism adheres the original teachings of Buddha. These Buddhist
believe that each person must find his or her way to enlightenment and Nirvana.
These Buddhist see Buddha as man alone. They do not worship him or pray to
him. Theravada Buddhists, do not pray during worship.
Mahayana:
Mahayana Buddhism is the other largest schools of Buddhism. Many Buddhists
didn’t agree with the Theravada Buddhism School so they came to
join Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana means "greater vehicle”
Mahayana Buddhists believe that in order to attain Nirvana you need guidance
from others. As for where Theravada Buddhists believe you have to attain
Nirvana on your own. Mahayana Buddhists believe that all people are related
due to reincarnation and the on going on the birth/death cycle. For this reason all
Buddhist must help one another. Mahayana Buddhists also believe this towards
criminals. They believe you have to help criminals find enlightenment, thinking
of how that person could have been your mother or father in the pervious life.