Overview:
| Origins & History: | Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India. |
| Adherents Worldwide (approx.): | 360 million |
| God(s) and Universe: | Varies: Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent. |
| Human Situation and Life's Purpose: | Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit. |
| Afterlife: | Reincarnation until gain enlightenment. |
| Practices: | Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects), mandalas (Tibetan) |
| Texts: | Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others. |
Edinburgh Buddhist Centre
10 Viewforth
Edinburgh
EH10 4JF
Tel: (0131) 661-7531
Web: http://www.edinburghbuddhistcentre.org.uk/
