9781422279694

The Buddha is not worshiped as a god. Instead, he is revered as a great teacher whose wisdom points the way to personal contentment—Nirvana. 1 What Is Buddhism? B uddhism is an ancient religion that developed in northern India approximately 2,500 years ago. It includes a variety of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices, most of which are based on teachings attributed to a man known as the Buddha.

Over the centuries, Buddhism spread throughout most of Asia. Today, the number of Buddhists worldwide is esti- mated at 576 million, most of whom live in southeast Asia. This makes Buddhism the world’s fourth-largest religion. The countries with the largest numbers of Buddhists include China (245 million), Japan (85 million), Thailand (65 million), and Myanmar (50 million). The Buddha’s teaching is known as Dharma , and it focuses on the proper way for people to live their lives.

9