Hinduism 2
Hinduism is the world's oldest major religion, or more precisely religious complex. Although it has no datable beginning, some evidence traces its origin back to 4000 or more years. Hinduism is not just a religion, but a complicated network of religious, philosophical, social, economic, and artistic elements making up a distinctive Indian civilization. It is said that the more than 780 million followers reside mostly in India, which claims more than 95 percent of the population. Hinduism was started in what is present-day Pakistan, and spread eastward down the Ganges River and southward throughout the subcontinent. Its influence eventually spread throughout southeastern Asia, into Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, and Sri Lanka. There is no one thing or specific creed that defines a Hindu. A Hindu is one born into a caste, or a position in society determined by birth. Adherents to Hinduism may believe in one god or many or none. It emphasizes the good of the soul and is based on the concepts of reincarnation and passage from one state of existence to another. One's position in life is determined by their karma, the deeds and conduct done in their previous life. For a Hindu, the primary go
The largest and most influential of the breakaway movements has been Buddhism, a faith founded in the 6th century B.C. in northern India by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha (Enlightened One). The original teachings of Buddha were more a moral philosophy than a formal religion. He saw the road to enlightenment and salvation through the "four noble truths": existence involves suffering; suffering is the result of desire; pain ceases when desire is destroyed; the destruction of desire comes through knowledge of correct behavior and thoughts. In Buddhism, which holds the Hindu concept of karma, the ultimate purpose of existence is the achievement of nirvana, a condition of perfect enlightenment, and an end to successive rebirths. Present-day spatial patterns of Buddhist adherence reflect the schools of thought, or vehicles, that were dominant during different periods of dispersion. The earliest, most conservative, and closest to the origins of Buddhism was Theravada (Vehicle of the Elders), which was implanted in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) was dominant in East Asia- China, Korea, and Japan and emphasizes meditation and tended to be more polytheistic. Vajrayana (the Diamond Vehicle) was dominant when converting Tibet and other neighboring northern areas and stressed self-discipline and conversion through the study of philosophy. Later it became more formally monastic and ritualistic, praising the Dalai Lama as the reincarnated Buddha, who became both spiritual and temporal ruler. In all of its variations, Buddhism marks its presence vividly on the cultural landscape. Buddha's image in the human form is now common in painting and sculpture throughout the Buddhist world. The geopolitical issue does not look like a big concern. After being looked into, it does not seem likely there will many huge conflicts or disruptions with the locations chosen. The most recent and probably sti
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hong Kong, Adherents Hinduism, Buddha Enlightened, Nagasaki Japan, , Dalai Lama, Kong Japan, Diamond Vehicle, Kong China, PPP GNP, hong kong, geopolitical issue, sri lanka, cultural landscape, vehicle dominant, social indicators,
Approximate Word count = 1303
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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