Buddhism

Budhhism is an Asian religion that is based on the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama, known simply as the Buddha. It originated in India as a local Sramana tradition between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE which was adopted by the Maurya dynasty as the prominent faith during the reign of Ashoka the Great. Over time, Buddhism would eventually spread across much of Asia eventually becoming a popular religion through trade with the Indian subcontinent. Though it died out in India thanks to the presence of Hinduism and Islam, Buddhism lived on as the predominant faith in China, Japan and other Asian countries. Today, there are over 520 million Buddhists, which roughly comprises of 7% of the world's population.

Teachings

The central tenets of Buddhism, as outlined in the Four Noble Truths, is to overcome suffering caused by desire and the ignorance of reality's true nature, including impermanence and the non-existence. Most Buddhist traditions often emphasize transcending the individual self through the attainment of Nirvana or by following the path of Buddhahood, ending the cycle of rebirth and death. Like many religions, Buddhist teachings often vary in interpretation of the path to liberation from denomination such as the relative importance and canonicity. Widely observed practices include taking refuge in the Buddha, observance of moral precepts, monasticism, meditation and the cultivation of the Paramitas.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Dynasty