Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Origins
As with any history so old, there are many different stories of how the Buddha came to be, Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit सिद्ध�...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Neo-buddhism - Origins
At the beginning of the 20th century, Buddhism was all but dead in India, the land of its origin. Certain tribal groups in Bengal continu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tara Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tara Buddhism - Origin As A Buddhist Bodhisattva
Tara has many stories told which explain her origin as a Buddhist Bodhisattva. One in particular has a lot of resonance for women interes...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, who lived in what is now Northern India ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Buddhism
Buddhism, a religion and philosophy from ancient India, is based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, of the Shakyas. Hi...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhism: Origins Of Buddhism
Buddhism: Origins of Buddhism Legend has it that the Buddha to be, Siddhartha Gautama, was born around the 6th century BCE. His birthpla...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma
Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices ori...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism: Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism
Neo-Buddhism is a modern Buddhist revivalist movement in India. As a popular movement, Neo-Buddhism began on October 14, 1956 when B. R. ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yana Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Yana Buddhism
Yana is a Sanskrit word with a range of meanings including nouns such as vehicle, journey, and path; and verbs such as going, moving, rid...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara: Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara
In Mahayana Buddhism, Avalokitesvara or Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit: Avalokiteśvara) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all B...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bhaisajyaguru: Encyclopedia - Bhaisajyaguru
Bhaisajyaguru (藥師佛／薬師 Ch. Yàoshī, Jp. Yakushi), more formally Bhaisajyaguruvaidūryaprabha (Jp. 薬師瑠璃光如来 Yakus...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Amitabha: Encyclopedia - Amitabha
Amitābha or Amida (阿彌陀佛 Ch. Āmítuó fó (=Amida Buddha), 阿弥陀佛 Kr. Amita Bul (Amida Buddha), 阿弥陀如来 Jp. Amida ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia - Origin Belief
An origin belief is any story or explanation that describes the beginnings of humanity, earth, life, and the universe (cosmogony). Such b...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahayana: Encyclopedia - Mahayana
Mahāyāna (literally "great vehicle"; from the Indian language of Sanskrit. Chinese: 大乘, Dàshèng; Japanese: 大乗, Daijō; Vietna...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Shunyata: Encyclopedia - Shunyata
Śūnyatā, शून्यता (Sanskrit, Pali: suññatā), or "Emptiness," is a term for an aspect of the Buddhist metaphysical crit...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia - Carvaka
Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Yoga Purva Mimamsa Advaita Vedanta Vishishtadvaita Dvaita Carvaka Jain Buddhist Logic Carvaka, also frequentl...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Hinayana: Encyclopedia - Hinayana
Hinayana (Sanskrit: "inferior vehicle"; Chinese: 小乘 Xiǎoshèng; Japanese: Shōjō; Vietnamese: Tiểu thừa) is a term coined by th...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dharma: Encyclopedia - Dharma
Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towar...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire
The Kushan Empire (c. 1st–3rd centuries) was a state that at its height, about 105–250, stretched from Tajikistan to the Caspian Sea ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sakya: Encyclopedia - Sakya
Sakya is one of four major schools (Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug) in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana). Sakya - Origins. The name Sakya (l...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Lokaksema: Encyclopedia - Lokaksema
Lokaksema (Ch: 支娄迦谶 Zhi Loujiachan， sometimes abbreviated 支谶 Zhi Chan), born around 147 CE, The name "Lokaksema" translates...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Hell: Encyclopedia - Hell
Hell is, according to many religious beliefs, a place or a state of painful suffering. The English word 'hell' comes from the Teutonic 'H...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Devil: Encyclopedia - Devil
The Devil is the name given to a supernatural entity, who, in most Western religions, is the central embodiment of evil. This entity is c...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Western Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Western Buddhism
Western Buddhism is the practice of Buddhism in Europe and the Americas, especially in the United States. For the most part, Western Budd...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Namaste: Encyclopedia - Namaste
Namaste or Namaskar (नमस्ते in Hindi, from Sanskrit námas te) is a South Asian greeting originating in India, which is used ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism
The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This make...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Hinduism: Encyclopedia - History Of Hinduism
Please remove this notice after the article has been expanded. Details are on this talk page or at Wikipedia:Requests for expansion. Hind...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karuna: Encyclopedia - Karuna
Karuna (originally a Pali word; also regarded as a Sanskrit word) is the Jainist concept of love. It is also translated as "compassion," ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yana Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Yana Buddhism - Origins Of -yana: Vehicles And Paths
The use of yana to refer to a spiritual journey may date to the Rig Veda, possibly composed circa 1500 BCE, whose 10th Mandala makes seve...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Original Enlightenment: Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary On Original Enlightenment
Original enlightenment (Jpn.: hongaku)   A reference to the enlightenment Shakyamuni attained countless kalpas ago, as described...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In Bangladesh: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism In Bangladesh - History
Bangladesh (historical Bengal) has a unique place in the history of Buddhism, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, Bengal was the last strong...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tara Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tara Buddhism - Emergence Of Tara As A Buddhist Deity
Within Tibetan Buddhism Tara is regarded as a Bodhisattva of Compassion. She can be seen as the female aspect of Avalokitesvara, and in s...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tara Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tara Buddhism - Sadhanas Of Tara
Sadhanas in which Tara is the Yidam can be extensive or quite brief. Most all of them include some introductory praises or homages to inv...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tara Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tara Buddhism - Tara As A Tantric Deity
Tara as a focus for tantric deity yoga can be traced back to the time period of Padmasambhava. There is a Red Tara practice which was giv...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Lokaksema: Encyclopedia Ii - Lokaksema - Origins
Lokaksema was a Kushan of Yuezhi ethnicity from Gandhara. His ethnicity is described in his adopted Chinese name by the prefix Zhi (Ch:�...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Neo-buddhism - Distinctive Interpretation
Ambedkarite Buddhists espouse an eclectic version of Buddhism, primarily based on Theravada, but with additional influences from Mahayana...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Neo-buddhism - Buddhism In India After Ambedkar
The Buddhist movement was somewhat hindered by Ambedkar's death so shortly after his conversion. It did not receive the immediate mass su...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yana Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Yana Buddhism - The Two Yanas
Traditionally, the two vehicles in Mahayana Buddhism consist of sravakayana and pratekyabuddhayana. These in turn refer to doctrines and ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara: Encyclopedia Ii - Avalokitesvara - Origin Of The Concept
The exact origin of the religious practices relating to Avalokitesvara is unclear. Some Western scholars have suggested that the concept ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yana Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Yana Buddhism - The Three Yanas
Mahayana Buddhists often express two different schemata of three yanas. First, here are three paths to liberation that culminate as one o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Neo-buddhism - 22 Vows
After receiving ordination from Buddhist monk Bhadant U. Chandramani, On 14th October 1956 at Nagpur, Bodhisattva Dr. B. R. Ambedkar gave...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Namaste: Encyclopedia Ii - Namaste - Origins
"Namaste" is sometimes used in the context of practicing Yoga as a greeting or goodbye, generally taken as an expression of good will. Na...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tara Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tara Buddhism - Tara As A Saviouress
Tara also embodies many of the qualities of feminine principle. She is known as the Mother of Mercy and Compassion. She is the source, th...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia Ii - Origin Belief - Creation Myths
Origins beliefs commonly refer to creation myths — mytho-religious stories which explain the beginnings of the universe as a deliberate...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia Ii - Origin Belief - Creation Within Various Belief Systems
Some creation beliefs are part of a named system of beliefs and are labeled as such below. Some creation beliefs seem to be better charac...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia Ii - Origin Belief - Limits To The Ontology Of Creation
While many scenarios are proposed by religion and science to identify 'first cause' and the origin of creation (ontology), there are some...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia Ii - Origin Belief - Science-based Beliefs
Science, strictly speaking, deals only with observable phenomena. Anything that cannot be observed (either directly or indirectly) is, by...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia Ii - Origin Belief - Creation Ex Nihilo
Creation ex nihilo (Latin: out of nothing) is at odds with our everyday experiences, in that nothing spontaneously comes into (or vanishe...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Origin Belief: Encyclopedia Ii - Origin Belief - Religious Creation Beliefs
Several religions have creation stories, some of which account for the existence and present form of the Universe by the act of creation ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Paticca-samuppada: Pali Buddhist Buddhism Dictionary On Paticca-samuppada
paticca-samuppada (pa.ticca-samuppaada): Dependent co-arising; dependent origination.   A map showing the way the aggregates (kh...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia Ii - Kushan Empire - The Kushans And Buddhism
Cultural exchanges also flourished, encouraging the development of Greco-Buddhism, a fusion of Hellenistic and Buddhist cultural elements...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Indo-parthian Kingdom: Encyclopedia Ii - Indo-parthian Kingdom - Silk Road Transmission Of Buddhism
Main article: Silk Road transmission of Buddhism Some pocket of Parthian rule remained in the East, even after the takeover by the Sassan...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Shunyata: Encyclopedia Ii - Shunyata - Śunyata In Presecular Buddhism, In The Nikayas
Sunnata. (Skt. Shunyata) "Emptiness" (sunnata) in Pali contexts is not the metaphysical Zero (Nonbeing as the principle of Being, Infinit...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Shunyata: Encyclopedia Ii - Shunyata - Śunyata In Presecular Buddhism In The Nikayas
Sunnata. (Skt. Shunyata) "Emptiness" (sunnata) in Pali contexts is not the metaphysical Zero (Nonbeing as the principle of Being, Infinit...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara: Encyclopedia Ii - Avalokitesvara - Tibetan Buddhism
Avalokitesvara (known as Chenrezig in Tibetan) is an important deity in Tibetan Buddhism. In particular, the Dalai Lama is held to be a m...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahayana: Encyclopedia Ii - Mahayana - Doctrine
The way of the Mahayana, in contrast to the more conservative and austere Theravada school of Buddhism, can be characterized by: Univers...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Indo-parthian Kingdom: Encyclopedia Ii - Indo-parthian Kingdom - Origins
Following the weakening of the Parthian empire after conflicts with Rome and the death of Mithridates II in 92 BCE, the Suren, a noble Pa...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Madhavacharya And Carvaka System
Madhavacharya, the 14th century Vedantic philosopher from South India, for instance, starts his famous work The Sarva-darsana-sangraha wi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara: Encyclopedia Ii - Avalokitesvara - Mantras
Main Article: Om Mani Padme Hum "Om Mani Padme Hum" is probably the most famous mantra in Buddhism, the six syllabled mantra of Avalokite...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dharma: Encyclopedia Ii - Dharma - Meanings And Origins Of The Word Dharma
The word Dharma (Sanskrit; "धर्म" in the Devanagari script) or dhamma (Pali) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia Ii - Kushan Empire - Contacts With China
During the 1st and 2nd century, the Kushan Empire expanded militarily to the north and occupied parts of the Tarim Basin, their original ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia Ii - Kushan Empire - Origins
Chinese sources describe the Guishuang (Ch:貴霜), i.e. the "Kushans" as one of the five tribes of the Yuezhi (Ch:月氏), a loose confe...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Lokaksema: Encyclopedia Ii - Lokaksema - Activity In China
Lokaksema's work includes the translation of the Pratyutpanna Sutra, containing the first known mentions of the Buddha Amitabha and his P...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia Ii - Kushan Empire - A Multi-cultural Empire
In the following century, the Yuezhi tribe of the Guishuang (Ch: 貴霜) gained prominence over the others, and welded them into a tight ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dharma: Encyclopedia Ii - Dharma - In Buddhism
In East Asia, the word for Dharma is 法, pronounced fǎ in Mandarin and hō in Japanese. Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha. For pra...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Hell: Encyclopedia Ii - Hell - Origins
Hell, as it exists in the Western popular imagination, has its origins in Hellenized Christianity, particularly taken from adaptation of ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dharma: Encyclopedia Ii - Dharma - Dharma In Hinduism
Within Indian philosophy "dharma" also means "property" and "dharmin" means "property-bearer". In a Sanskrit sentence like "zabdo 'nityaH...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Amitabha: Encyclopedia Ii - Amitabha - Mantras
The Tibetan mantra of Amitabha is 'Om ami dhewa hri'. Various mantras invoking his name are commonly used by modern Amidist schools, part...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bhaisajyaguru: Encyclopedia Ii - Bhaisajyaguru - Role In Tibet
The practice of Medicine Buddha, the Supreme Healer (or Sangye Menla in Tibetan) is not only a very powerful method for healing and incre...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Korean Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Korean Buddhism - Historical Overview Of The Development Of Korean Buddhism
When Buddhism was originally introduced to Korea from China in 372, or about 800 years after the death of the historical Buddha, Shamanis...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Shunyata: Encyclopedia Ii - Shunyata - Śunyata In Nāgārjuna
For Nāgārjuna, who provided the most important philosophical formulation of śūnyatā, emptiness as the mark of all phenomena means is...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bhaisajyaguru: Encyclopedia Ii - Bhaisajyaguru - The Mantras
This is the long version of the Medicine Buddha Mantra in Sanskrit: Om Namo Bhagavate Bhaishajyaguru Vaidūryaprabharājāya Tathāgatā...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Korean Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Korean Buddhism - Looking Ahead
The Seon school, which is led by the dominant Jogye order, practices disciplined traditional Seon practice at a number of major mountain ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibetan Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibetan Buddhism - Traditions/orders/sects Of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism has four main traditions (the suffix pa is comparable to "er" in English): Nyingma(pa), The Ancient Ones, the oldest an...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Hinduism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Hinduism - Origins
From a Hindu perspective, Sanatana Dharma is composed of eternal principles and had no beginning and will have no end. There are two cont...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Greco-buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Greco-buddhism - Artistic Influences
Main article: Greco-Buddhist art Numerous works of Greco-Buddhist art display the intermixing of Greek and Buddhist influences, around su...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Buddhadharma: Buddhist - Buddhism Dictionary On Buddhadharma
Buddhadharma Lit., Teaching of Enlightenment.   Originally apllied to designate the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha; supplanted b...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Brihaspati And Lokayata
It is said that the Hindu sage Brihaspati, the preceptor of the Vedic gods, founded and preached the Lokayata thought, though this involv...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Hinduism Buddhism & Jainism Vs. Lokayata
Carvakas cultivated a philosophy wherein theology and what they called 'speculative' metaphysics were to be avoided. The Carvakas accepte...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Lokayata On The Role Of Women
The Carvaka doctrines of equality and freedom preserved and enhanced the dignity of women. A woman's position in a world controlled by me...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism Vs. Lokayata
Carvakas cultivated a philosophy wherein theology and what they called 'speculative' metaphysics were to be avoided. The Carvakas accepte...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Indo-parthian Kingdom: Encyclopedia Ii - Indo-parthian Kingdom - Secession From Parthia
Around 20 CE, Gondophares, one of the Parthian conquerors, declared his independence from the Parthian empire and established the Indo-Pa...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Indo-parthian Kingdom: Encyclopedia Ii - Indo-parthian Kingdom - Main Indo-parthian Rulers
 6th century BCE  5th century BCE  4th century BCE  3rd century BCE  2nd century BCE  1st century BCE &...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Amitabha: Encyclopedia Ii - Amitabha - Origins
The first known epigraphic evidence for Amitabha is the bottom part of a 2nd century statue which has been found in Govindo-Nagar, and is...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Pure Land Buddhism: New Age Spiritual Dictionary On Pure Land Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism Mahayana school originating in China teaching faith in Amitabha Buddha, invoking his name to win rebirth in his Pu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Abul Fazl On Lokayata
An extract from Aaine-Akbari (vol.III, tr. by H. S. Barrett, pp217-218) written by Abul Fazl, the famous historian of Akbar's court, ment...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Samsara: Encyclopedia Ii - Samsara - Saṃsāra In Buddhism
Samsara - Saṃsāra in Nikaya Buddhism. Whereas in Hinduism some being (ātman, jiva, etc.) is regarded as being subject to Saṃsāra...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Self-nature: Buddhist - Buddhism Dictionary On Self-nature
Self-Nature One's own Original Nature, one's own Buddha Nature.    (See also: Self-Nature , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia Ii - Kushan Empire - Main Kushan Rulers
 6th century BCE  5th century BCE  4th century BCE  3rd century BCE  2nd century BCE  1st century BCE &...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kushan Empire: Encyclopedia Ii - Kushan Empire - Decline
From the 3rd century the Kushan empire began to fragment. Around 225 Vasudeva I died and the Kushan empire was divided into western and e...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Principles Of Buddhism
Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence. According to the Buddhist tradition, all phenomena (dharmas) are marked by three characteristi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Practices Of Buddhism
Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels. Main Article: Refuge (Buddhism) Buddhists seek refuge in the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism as the f...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Buddhism And The West
Occasional intersections between Western civilization and the Buddhist world have been occurring for thousands of years. Perhaps the most...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Headline Text
Buddhism, a religion and philosophy from ancient India, is based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, of the Shakyas. His...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Relations With Other Eastern Faiths
Some Hindus (primarily in the northern regions of India) believe that Gautama is the 9th incarnation (see avatar) of Vishnu; there are ac...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Buddhist Religious Philosophy And Branches
Buddhism has evolved into myriad schools that can be roughly grouped into three types: Nikaya, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Of the Nikaya sch...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Buddhism In The Modern World
Estimates of the number of Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with 350 million as the most commonly cited figure. [5] In norther...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Scriptures
The Buddhist canon of scripture is known in Sanskrit as the Tripitaka and in Pāli as the Tipitaka. These terms literally mean "three bas...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - Buddhism After The Buddha
Buddhism spread slowly in India until the powerful Mauryan emperor Ashoka converted to it and actively supported it. His promotion led to...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism - What Is A Buddha?
The term "Buddha" is a word in ancient Indian languages including Pāli and Sanskrit which means "one who has awakened". It is derived fr...   » Read the article