Where is buddhism centered

Vajrayana Buddhism, the smallest of the three major branches, is concentrated in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia. The Buddhist population figures in this study also include members of other groups that identify as Buddhist, such as Soka Gakkai and Hoa Hao. Only two other regions — North America 3. Globally, Buddhists are older median age of 34 than the overall population median age of Of the three regions for which data are available, sub-Saharan Africa has the youngest Buddhist population median age of 29 , followed by North America The Asia-Pacific region has the oldest Buddhist population, with a median age of They are inevitably tied in with suffering since we suffer from wanting them, wanting them to continue, and wanting pain to go so pleasure can come.

The second Noble Truth is that suffering is caused by craving—for sense pleasures and for things to be as they are not. We refuse to accept life as it is. The third Noble Truth, however, states that suffering has an end, and the fourth offers the means to that end: the Eight-Fold Path and the Middle Way.

If one follows this combined path he or she will attain Nirvana, an indescribable state of all-knowing lucid awareness in which there is only peace and joy. The Middle Way represents a rejection of all extremes of thought, emotion, action, and lifestyle. Rather than either severe mortification of the body or a life of indulgence insense pleasures the Buddha advocated a moderate or "balanced" wandering life-style and the cultivation of mental and emotional equanimity through meditation and morality.

After the Buddha's death, his celibate wandering followers gradually settled down into monasteries that were provided by the married laityas merit-producing gifts.

The laity were in turn taught by the monks some of the Buddha's teachings. They also engaged in such practices as visiting the Buddha's birthplace; and worshipping the tree under which he became enlightened bodhi tree , Buddha images in temples, and the relics of his body housed in various stupas or funeral mounds.

Many monastic schools developed among the Buddha's followers. Another reason for the development of different schools was that he refused to appoint asuccessor to follow him as leader of the Sangha monastic order. He told the monks to be lamps unto themselves and make the Dhamma their guide. About the first century C. Of the Hinayana "the Lesser Vehicle" branch of schools, only the The ravada school founded 4th century B.

This school stresses the historical figure of Gautama Buddha, and the centrality of the monk's life-style and practice meditation. They believe, however, that human beings continue to be "reformed" and reborn, and to collect karma until they reach Nirvana. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research.

Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Newsletters Donate My Account. Research Topics. The holy day celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Permanent happiness, says the Buddha, cannot be found by clinging to the physical and mental things of this world. The Second Noble Truth points to the root cause of this persistent suffering: desire.

The Third Noble Truth offers some hope: an end to such suffering is attainable. The Buddha teaches that the end of suffering—the realization of nirvana— is brought about by letting go of our craving or thirst for more. Given that Buddhism holds that realizing a new way of seeing reality is central to attaining enlightenment, one of the most important Buddhist practices is mindfulness.

Meditation involves wisdom and compassion, the two central components of the path of enlightenment, and it is a primary means by which one shakes the hold of ignorance, greed, and anger.