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Articles on Buddha

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A prayer altar in the main gathering hall at the temple Wat Ratchapradit in Bangkok, Thailand. Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

What is Theravada Buddhism? A scholar of Asian religions explains

Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religious system in several parts of South and Southeast Asia, but there is a rich diversity of beliefs and practices in this tradition.
The vast majority of Buddhists in historical and contemporary times have been followers of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Fred de Noyelle / Godong/Stone via Getty Images

What is Mahāyāna Buddhism? A scholar of Buddhism explains

The Mahāyāna branch of Buddhism likely emerged around the first centuries A.D. and was most readily carried through the Silk Road and maritime trade routes.
Boddhisatva Avalokiteśvara, considered to be a compassionate protector, is believed to regularly visit Earth. taikrixel/ via iStock Getty Images Plus

What is a bodhisattva? A scholar of Buddhism explains

Buddhists believe that bodhisattvas reside in heavenly realms but can also appear on Earth disguised as humans, animals or other types of beings.
Josaphat sits Dreaming in a Landscape, from the Workshop of Diebold Lauber, c 1469. Getty Musuem

How the Buddha became a Christian saint

It was only in the 19th century the West became aware of Buddhism as a religion in its own right – but the Buddha had been a Christian saint for centuries.
Did ancient Egyptian parents worry their kids might get addicted to this game, called senet? Keith Schengili-Roberts/Wikimedia Commons

Games blamed for moral decline and addiction throughout history

Somewhere between the early Buddhist times and today, worries about game addiction have given way to scientific understanding of the benefits of play, rather than its detriments.
Human beings want more even if it comes at the expense of others. svershinsky/Shutterstock.com

What causes greed and how can we deal with it?

Some parents were recently charged with paying bribes for their children’s admission to top colleges. Religious thought can help us understand what drives such greed and also provide ethical guidance.

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