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.
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Articles on Buddha
Displaying 1 - 20 of 22 articles
Turner was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 1973, and its teachings provided inspiration for some of the final projects of her career.
Buddha’s birthday has not always been a major holiday for Buddhists, but is now celebrated in diverse ways throughout Asia.
The Seven Lucky Gods usher in good fortune in the new year in Japan. Among them, Hotei plays the most prominent role, for he is considered not just a lucky god, but also a buddha.
Mindfulness can teach us to be more present – not just for ourselves, but also for our colleagues, friends and loved ones.
Traditional ordination into a Buddhist monastic life requires meeting guidelines based on male and female genders.
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.
A look at whether modern Buddhists adhere to the faith’s original religious principles or simply guilty of a cherrypicking cultural appropriation that turns religion into a fad.
Buddhists believe that bodhisattvas reside in heavenly realms but can also appear on Earth disguised as humans, animals or other types of beings.
A scholar of digital religion and Buddhism argues that not all Western Buddhism practice is inauthentic. Here’s a way to know what’s real.
From talk of a ‘poisonous doctrine’ to mistaken beliefs that he hailed from Africa, Western thinkers got Buddhism wrong for a long time.
Traditionally, Buddhism has been opposed to women taking on leadership roles. However, nuns in many Buddhist-majority countries are challenging the patriarchal rules.
In China, many Buddhists hope for birth in a buddha-land so they can complete their path under a buddha’s direct supervision.
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.
Concepts from Buddhism can provide us with some solace during this pandemic. By thinking like a Buddhist we can focus on existential facts, aiming to understand them and to practise meditation.
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.
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.
Stories passed down from the ancient world tell of self-powered machines able to move on their own – robots – playing key roles in historic moments.
Only a few parts of Buddhism’s much larger practice were transplanted into American soil in the late 19th century. Here’s how Buddhism changed when it migrated.
Offering food to deities in Hinduism has deep religious significance. And most Hindu deities are not served meat.
Top contributors
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Emeritus Professor in the History of Religious Thought, The University of Queensland
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Professor of Asian History & Health Humanities, Penn State
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Assistant Professor, Denison University
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Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Tennessee
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Professor of Philosophy, Seton Hall University
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Associate professor, Rhodes University
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Independent Researcher (Philosophy), University of New England
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Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, Penn State
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Knight Chair in Interactive Media; Associate Professor of Communication, University of Miami
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Professor of Religion and Asian Studies, Elizabethtown College
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Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Elon University
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Lecturer in Hispanic Studies, University of Aberdeen
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Research Scholar, Classics and History and Philosophy of Science, Stanford University
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Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Rhodes College
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Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Goldstein Family Community Chair in Human Rights, University of Nebraska Omaha
