| Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of | | | | was altered to incorporate the religious viewpoints of |
| Buddha which are referred to as "Dharma" or "the | | | | the various geographic regions. It is still practiced in Sri |
| Dharma." Those who practice Buddhism engage in a | | | | Lanka, Laos and Cambodia today. |
| spiritual quest to attain a state of complete | | | | Mahayana, or Eastern Buddhism, expands the Pali |
| enlightenment known as Nirvana. Like all religions, | | | | Canon and includes other religious texts and |
| Buddhism has evolved over time, fractured and | | | | philosophies that encourage altruism and the need to |
| adapted as it spread through Asia and eventually the | | | | live a life of universal compassion. This is central to |
| globe. Today, there are three major sects of Buddhism | | | | their belief in an "Awakened mind." Practiced primarily |
| and several smaller variants of the religion. | | | | in China, Korea and Japan, Mahayana Buddhism |
| These different Buddhist religions are all united under | | | | incorporates elements of mysticism and cosmology. |
| some core Buddhist principles. They all accept Buddha | | | | Mahayana Buddhism itself has splintered into two |
| as their spiritual teacher. The Four Noble Truths are | | | | variants. Zen Buddhism, which focuses more on |
| core to their philosophies and teachings. Those who | | | | internalization of the spiritual path and self-reliance and |
| practice Buddhism follow the principles of the Eightfold | | | | Pure Land Buddhism which teaches that dedication to |
| Path and believe that Buddhahood is the highest | | | | the Amitabha Buddha is required to reach Nirvana. |
| possible state that one could achieve. | | | | Although deeply influenced by Mahayana Buddhism, |
| Around 300 BC, the Theravada, or "Traditions of the | | | | Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayana is another distinct |
| Elders" was first established. This religion centered | | | | discipline of the Buddhist faith. Also known as "tantric |
| around the teachings of Buddha, encouraging the | | | | Buddhism," Vajrayana incorporates text and scriptures |
| sangha (followers) to use meditation as a means to | | | | from both Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhism along |
| teach the mind and eliminate suffering with the ultimate | | | | with Buddhist Tantras. Vajrayana teaches that it is |
| goal of reaching Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism gave | | | | possible to achieve Buddhahood in a single lifetime |
| life to the Tripitaka, the Pali canon of Buddhist | | | | without the journey of reincarnation. |
| teachings and the Ten Precepts which govern the | | | | The method in which one achieves enlightenment is |
| lifestyle of Buddhist monks. | | | | the most significant difference between the various |
| This discipline of Buddhism originated in India and | | | | types of Buddhism. While all believe in the core |
| migrated to southeast Asia through Sri Lanka, Thailand, | | | | principles of meditation and spiritual questing guided by |
| Burma, Vietnam and other Asian countries. As it was | | | | the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the |
| adopted by the indigenous peoples, the Theravada | | | | attainment of Nirvana varies considerably. |