Buddhism

From Srafopedia

Buddhism is a set of teachings often described as a religion. Some Buddhists claim that Buddhism is not a religion. Some say it is a body of philosophies influenced by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. Others say it is teachings to guide one to directly experiencing reality. Buddhism is also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means the "teachings of the Awakened One" in Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism began around 5th century BCE with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in Ancient India.

Buddhism had become virtually extinct in India, and although it continued to exist in surrounding countries, its influence was no longer expanding. It is now again gaining strength. While estimates of the number of Buddhist followers range from 230 to 500 million worldwide, most estimates are around 350 million. However, estimates are uncertain for several countries. According to one analysis, Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world behind Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. The monks' order, Sangha, which began during the lifetime of the Buddha in India, is among the oldest organizations on earth.

(Sources:Wikipedia)