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Buddhism
Religious Data
Adherents: About 388 million as of 2009 (Buddhism is often
practiced in conjunction with Confucianism and Taoism; also,
there are no formal congregations, so numbers are hard to
pin down – there is no consensus on the number)
Ranking: most sources put it at 4
Growing or shrinking? According to Religion Link, “The evergrowing number of U.S. practitioners is estimated at 1.5
million or more.” Throughout the world, Buddhism is growing
both by birth and conversion.
•Growth by birth: 3,166.543; growth
•by conversion: 6,214,895
Religious Data Continued
Conversion: Buddhists are not exclusivist – they believe that the
goal of becoming enlightened may be achieved by going down
many paths. Having said that, there are certain beliefs and
practices that Buddhists believe will aid in achieving
enlightenment: Eightfold Path, Four Noble Truths, Five
Prohibitions.
Religious Diffusion
Religious Hearth: Northern India – Ganges Valley (Nepal area)
Distribution of Buddhism
Main areas include China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos,
Myanmar, North and South Korea, Mongolia
Religious Diffusion Continued
Types of Diffusion:
•First, Mahayana Buddhism diffused through contagious
diffusion as word spread from person to person
•Buddhism also diffused through hierarchical diffusion as kings
and emperors adopted the religion and ordered it spread
throughout their kingdoms. Missionaries were sent out after
the leader of the powerful Magadhan Empire in India became a
Buddhist.
Religious Diffusion Continued
Areas growing the most: China – there is a resurgence
of interest in Buddhism in the country, and since there
are so many people there, this is the major growth
area.
Core area still the hearth? The hearth area is NOT still
the core area for the religion. The hearth was in
Northern India and the core area now is in China,
Japan, etc.
• Reasons the core shifted… While expanding abroad,
Buddhism declined back in India where it became
absorbed into Hinduism which had revived.
Buddhism’s dominance in northern India ended when
Islam conversions increased
Religious Beliefs
Central Beliefs:
•Four Noble Truths
1. Life is filled with suffering
2. The cause of suffering is desire – we always look for
something outside ourselves to make us happy.
3. Through diligent practice, we can get rid of cravings/desire
4. Follow the Eightfold Path to gain Enlightenment
•Buddhists believe in kharma, dharma
and reincarnation
Religious Beliefs Continued
•Eightfold Path
1. Right view (understand things as they are)
2. Right intention (intention of good will, harmlessness,
intention not to give in to desire)
3. Right speech (no hurtful, harmful, violent words)
4. Right action (act selflessly, mindfully, compassionately)
5. Right livelihood ( earn a living in a way that does no harm
to others)
6. Right effort (make effort to prevent greed, anger and
ignorance)
7. Right mindfulness (to be mindful is to be fully present –
not lost in daydreams, worry, anticipation, etc.)
8. Right concentration (achieved through meditation –
cleansing mind of impurities)