3. Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion that originated in India. Buddhism gained followers throughout India, Southeast Asia and China. The faith's name refers to wisdom, enlightenment and truth. Buddhists seek to find spiritual bliss by rejecting desire and suffering. Early Buddhist doctrines differed from the later form of Buddhism because they emphasized a life of celibacy and meditation over seeking worldly goods. Although followers live all over the world, India remains home to most Buddhist temples and traditions.

 

Buddha was born in India and taught his followers there. He founded dharma, which is the principles and teachings of a religion. Early Buddhism was simpler than later forms.

 

Hinduism and Jainism developed from earlier Buddhist beliefs. Buddha travelled to Rajagriha, where he established his first Buddhist community at Mauryan Ashoka Vihar (now known as vihara). These two religions believe in a cycle of life-death-rebirth that affects everyone in this universe. They also believe in an impersonal god that is present throughout all existence but does not directly interfere with it.

 

Buddha preached non-attachment, compassion and tolerance toward all living beings- values still held by Buddhists today. Furthermore, Buddha taught his followers to live ethical lives and eventually achieve nirvana, a state of pure bliss and enlightenment without desire or attachment.