Buddhism, founded in India by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha, or Enlightened One) in 520 bc, has 360 million adherents. Beliefs differ: Theravada Buddhism is atheistic; Mahayana is more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent. Life’s purpose is to avoid suffering, gain enlightenment and release from the cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth in the next life cycle by good living. Although few Westerners officially join Buddhism, adapting certain aspects of its beliefs has become popular. Tibetan Buddhism allows for atheistic religion. Zen meditation is offered as a stress reliever. Nirvana and karma provide an alternative view to the problem of suffering, that it is your fault from previous behavior. Also some find the tolerance of many ways attractive. But in the end, Buddhism is an impersonal religion of self-perfection, the goal—extinction. How different the words of our Lord: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (Jn 10:28).
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