| social media advertising ">From Wikipedia, the free | | | | commonly known as the Buddha (Pali/Sanskrit "one |
| encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search A statue of | | | | who is awake"). Adherents recognize the Buddha as |
| the Buddha in Bodhgaya, India. Bodhgaya is | | | | an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help |
| traditionally considered the place of his awakening[1] | | | | sentient beings end suffering, achieve nirvana, and |
| Part of a series on Buddhism | | | | escape what is seen as a cycle of suffering and |
| Dharma Wheel Portal of Buddhism | | | | rebirth. However, Buddhist schools disagree over the |
| History of Buddhism | | | | historical teachings of the Buddha, and on the |
| Timeline - Buddhist councils | | | | importance and canonicity of various scriptures. [3] |
| Major figures | | | | Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized: |
| Gautama Buddha Disciples · Later Buddhists | | | | Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and |
| Dharma or concepts | | | | Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Theravada, the |
| Four Noble Truths Noble Eightfold Path Three marks | | | | oldest surviving, has a widespread following in Sri |
| of existence Dependent origination Sa?sara · Nirva?a | | | | Lanka and Southeast Asia, whilst Mahayana, which is |
| Skandha · Cosmology Karma · Rebirth | | | | found throughout East Asia, includes the traditions of |
| Practices and attainment | | | | Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, |
| Buddhahood · Bodhisattva 4 stages of | | | | Shingon, Tendai and Shinnyo-en . In some |
| enlightenment Wisdom · Meditation Smarana · | | | | classifications, a third branch, Vajrayana, is |
| Precepts · Paramitas Three Jewels · Monastics | | | | recognized, although many see this as an offshoot of |
| Laity | | | | the Mahayana. Other movements have appeared in |
| Countries and regions | | | | recent times, sometimes classified as Buddhist |
| Schools | | | | modernism. |
| Theravada · Mahayana Vajrayana | | | | While Buddhism remains most popular within Asia, |
| Texts | | | | both branches are now found throughout the world. |
| Chinese canon · Pali canon Tibetan canon | | | | Various sources put the number of Buddhists in the |
| Related topics Outline of Buddhism | | | | world at between 230 million and 500 |
| Comparative studies Cultural elements This box: view | | | | million.[4][5][6][7] |
| • talk • edit | | | | The foundation of all Buddhist practice is ethical |
| Buddhism, as traditionally conceived, is a path of | | | | conduct and altruism. Further practices can vary |
| salvation attained through insight into the ultimate | | | | widely, but may include renunciation, meditation, the |
| nature of reality.[2] It encompasses a variety of | | | | cultivation of mindfulness and wisdom, the study of |
| traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on | | | | scriptures, physical exercises, devotion and |
| teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, | | | | ceremonies, or the invocation of bodhisattvas. |