Part 2

2-Buddhism Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the Indian
subcontinent that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices largely based on teachings
attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha (meaning "the awakened
one" in Sanskrit and Pali). The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent
some time between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.[1] He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or
enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end suffering (dukkha) through
eliminating ignorance (avidya) by way of understanding and seeing dependent origination
(pratityasamutpada) and eliminating craving (ta?ha), and thus attain the highest happiness, nirvana
(nirvana).[2]
Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and
Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast
Asia. Mahayana is found throughout East Asia and includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren
Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon, and Tiantai (Tendai). In some classifications, Vajrayana—
practiced mainly in Tibet and Mongolia, and adjacent parts of China and Russia—is recognized as a
third branch, while others classify it as a part of Mahayana. There are other categorizations of these
three Vehicles or Yanas.[3]
While Buddhism remains most popular within Asia, both branches are now found throughout the
world. Estimates of Buddhists worldwide vary significantly depending on the way Buddhist adherence
is defined. Lower estimates are between 350–500 million.[4][5][6]
Buddhist schools vary on the exact nature of the path to liberation, the importance and canonicity of
various teachings and scriptures, and especially their respective practices.[7] Two of the most important
teachings are dependent origination and no-self. The foundations of Buddhist tradition and practice are
the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community). Taking
"refuge in the triple gem" has traditionally been a declaration and commitment to being on the Buddhist
path and in general distinguishes a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist.[8] Other practices may include
following ethical precepts; support of the monastic community; renouncing conventional living and
becoming a monastic; the development of mindfulness and practice of meditation; cultivation of higher
wisdom and discernment; study of scriptures; devotional practices; ceremonies; and in the Mahayana
tradition, invocation of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.3-Taoism (modernly: Daoism) is a philosophical and
religious tradition that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (modernly romanized as "Dao"). The
term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and
religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the
driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not
the eternal Tao."[1]
The keystone work of literature in Taoism is the Tao Te Ching, a concise and ambiguous book
containing teachings attributed to Laozi (Chinese: ??; pinyin: Laozi; Wade–Giles: Lao Tzu). Together
with the writings of Zhuangzi, these texts build the philosophical foundation of Taoism. This
philosophical Taoism, individualistic by nature, is not institutionalized. Institutionalized forms,
however, evolved over time in the shape of a number of different schools, often integrating beliefs and
practices that even pre-dated the keystone texts – as, for example, the theories of the School of
Naturalists, which synthesized the concepts of yin-yang and the Five Elements. Taoist schools
traditionally feature reverence for Laozi, immortals or ancestors, along with a variety of divination and
exorcism rituals, and practices for achieving ecstasy, longevity or immortality.
Taoist propriety and ethics may vary depending on the particular school, but in general tends to
emphasize wu-wei (action through non-action), "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three
Treasures: compassion, moderation, and humility.
Taoism has had profound influence on Chinese culture in the course of the centuries, and clerics of
institutionalized Taoism (Chinese: ??; pinyin: dàoshi) usually take care to note distinction between their
ritual tradition and the customs and practices found in Chinese folk religion as these distinctions
sometimes appear blurred. Chinese alchemy (especially neidan), Chinese astrology, Zen Buddhism,
several martial arts, Traditional Chinese medicine, feng shui, and many styles of qigong have been
intertwined with Taoism throughout history. Beyond China, Taoism also had influence on surrounding
societies in Asia.
After Laozi and Zhuangzi the literature of Taoism grew steadily and used to be compiled in form of a
canon – the Daozang, which was at times published at the behest of the emperor. Throughout Chinese
history, Taoism was several times nominated as state religion. After the 17th century, however, it fell
much from favor. Like all other religious activity, Taoism was suppressed in the first decades of the
People's Republic of China (and even persecuted during the Cultural Revolution), but continued to be
practiced in Taiwan. Today, it is one of five religions recognized in the PRC, and although it does not
travel readily from its Asian roots, claims adherents in a number of societies.[2] these are the primary
belief systems in jediism though it doesn’t end there we also study the myths and philosophy of all the
religions further more the basic belief system along with with the codes and vows make for an
understanding that is beyond the basic religious way of thinking and an acceptance that is also beyond
many other religions