Buddhism

More about the book

Buddhism, the world's fourth-largest religion, boasts over 576 million followers globally. Its teachings stem from Guatama Buddha, who lived over 2,400 years ago in eastern India. Born into royalty, he became deeply concerned with the nature of suffering and dedicated years to exploring various religions and philosophies. His enlightenment led him to teach the path to true happiness, and Buddhism subsequently spread across Asia, with significant populations in China, Thailand, Japan, and Burma. This book explores the origins and history of Buddhism, highlighting its core beliefs, practices, and rituals. Part of the MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS series, it covers six major faiths, representing over 75 percent of the global population. Each title delves into the beliefs, history, and practices of a specific religion, featuring color photos, an index, further reading lists, timelines, and contact information for related organizations. The series includes Key Icons designed to enhance understanding and engagement. "Words to Understand" at the chapter's start help build vocabulary, while sidebars provide additional context. Educational videos accessed via QR codes supplement the text, and text-dependent questions encourage deeper comprehension. Research projects at the chapter's end promote further exploration, and a glossary of key terms aids in understanding the terminology used throughout the series.