Buddhism and Islam

Buddhism and Islam are two major global religions in modern times with roots that are ancient. The two religions have billions of followers, and act as major influences in politics, culture, and societies in countries all over the world. The Islamic religion has the most followers in countries located in the the middle east and northern Africa. Buddhism has the most followers throughout the continent of Asia. Both religions have very different beliefs.

Buddhism is the sixth largest religion in the world with over 394 million followers. The religion was created by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama who is also known as Buddha, born in 563 BC. It is believed that he was born in modern day Nepali. Legend has it that that when Siddhartha was growing up the king, his father tried to hide him from the poor, sick, and suffering in the world. When he was 29 years of age he went beyond the walls of his palace and discovered the realities of life that he has not witnessed before. On his journey he encountered a man with a disease, a decaying corpse, and a starving man. Seeing all of this upset him, he quit his palace life and traded it in for a humble life. He was so inspired by the things he saw that he set out onto a journey in the forest and sat under a tree, and he vowed to stay there until he found the truths of happiness. Buddhism today is based on the Four Noble Truths, they are the heart of Buddhist teachings.The Four Noble Truths are 1. Life means suffering 2.The origin of suffering is attachment 3.The cessation of suffering is attainable 4. The path to the cessation of suffering. If you live a life following these you are believed to reach Nirvana the ultimate happiness in the afterlife. Buddha is not considered a god in the Buddhist faith. The main goal of the Four Truths was to show the average person how to lead a good life.

The influence of Buddhism was great and effected many countries in the east and even in the west today. People were attracted to Buddhism because it was simple, peaceful, and did not judge what kind of person you were. Buddhist did not fight and or attack members of other religions and is one of the very few religions in the world that has accomplished such a goal. As a result of the influence of Buddhism, rulers and people built temples, schools, monasteries, roads, bridges, hospitals, universities and parks. Buddhism helped improve education. Monks became very knowledgeable and most monks were teachers not only in the religion but in also subjects like math and science. Buddhist monks travelled to other countries and helped to spread knowledge. I think the greatest example of Buddhism was how it affected the lives of the untouchables in the Hindu faith. Buddhism offered a better life for the untouchables in India. The untouchables were the outcasts in the Hindu society who did not have social status and were at the very bottom of the cast system. Buddhism helped them because it preached that all

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