Buddhism developed in India during the late 500 B.C.'s from the teachings of a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. Gautama became known as Gautama Buddha meaning 'Enlightened One'. Buddhism was partly a rebellion against certain features of Hinduism. Buddhism opposed the Hindu worship of many deites, the Hindu emphases on caste, the supernatural, and the power of the Hindu priest class.

Buddha taught that people should devote themselves to finding release from the suffering life. Through this release, people will gain Nirvana - "a state of perfect peace and happiness". To acheive this Nirvana people have to free themselves from wordly things. Buddha taught that Nirvana could be gained by following the middlepath between the extremes of severe self-denial and uncontrolled passion. As Buddha preached number of his followers increased.

Buddha made Monasticism an inseparable part of his creed. There are two orders in Buddhism - Hinayana & Mahayana. Hinayana communities have a more strict daily life and members spend much time in meditation. Mahayana communities are more active in welfare and education and are centered in Japan & China.

Buddhism had spread in to central Asia. By the end of A.D. 100's it had been introduced in China. Buddhism swept through much of China from 300's to 500s, challenging the native Chinese religions of Confucianism and Taoism, Buddhism spread to Korea and Japan.

Hinayana Buddhism is strongest in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Srilanka, and Thailand. Mahayana Buddhists live in Japan, Korea, Mangolia, Nepal, Tibet, and scattered parts of India and Russia.

Buddha proclaimed the Four Noble Truths.

1. Life is sorrow
2. Cause for sorrow is craving.
3. Removing the cause of craving will end sorrow.
4. The way that leads to the ending of sorrow is the noble Eight-Fold path.

Buddha as Siddharta Gautama was born in Lumbini and lived in India. He is also known as Shakyamuni. Buddhists believe that there were at least six other Buddha's before Gautama Buddha and there is another one to come whose name will be Maitreya.

There are two main schools of Buddhism.

1. Theravada Buddhism
2. Triptica Buddhism.

The Zen School of Buddhism.

And there is Zen too, Zen is the Japanese form of "CHAN", a Chinese word meaning Meditation. The Zen school of Buddhism, originated in China, but now very widely followed in Japan & in Western countries. Their emphasis is on meditation. Buddhists believe that they can be helped to Nirvana (Enlightnment) by cosmic Buddha's (from other worlds) and Bodhisathvas. These are people who strive to become Buddhas by leading a life of virtue & wisdom.