Buddhism is practiced by over 500 million people worldwide, with nearly half of all Buddhists living in China. Founded over 2,500 years ago, it’s one of the world’s oldest religions. Despite its popularity and influence on many cultures across the globe, only a few fully grasp Buddhism. Here are 15 facts about Buddhism you probably didn’t know.
Buddhism Started in India and is Older than Christianity
Although Buddhism has gained popularity globally, its origin traces back to the ancient Kingdom of Magadha, now called Bihar, India. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince born in Lumbini Grove, now in Nepal. Buddhism has existed for over 2500 years, meaning it’s older than Christianity by nearly six centuries.
Buddha was an Ordinary Human
While Gautama was born into a noble family, his status wasn’t divine. The Buddha made no such claims, unlike other religious founders whose inspirations were directly from God. He was an ordinary human without supernatural powers and was not led by divine intervention. His enlightenment was acquired through his efforts, including an intense meditation lasting 49 days under a Bodhi tree.
Buddhists Don’t Believe in a Supernatural Being
Buddhists’ beliefs are solely based on the teachings of the Buddha. The religion is nontheistic, meaning they don’t believe in the existence of a divine power controlling the world. The Buddha’s teachings are often called Dharma, which entail all the truths he revealed to the world, forming the core path to enlightenment.
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are the Buddha’s most important teachings. They provide us with an understanding of the unsatisfactory nature of life. The first truth, called Dukkha, is that inherent suffering exists in many forms, including physical pain and dissatisfaction. The second truth is that suffering is caused by our cravings or desires (Samudaya). The third, Nirodha, teaches that we can end suffering by eliminating our cravings. Finally, the fourth truth, Magga, outlines the path to the end of suffering.
Buddhists Believe in Karma
Karma is a fundamental doctrine in Buddhism. The concept explains that intentional deeds, whether good or bad, influence our future experiences. For Buddhists, it’s not about a supreme being judging and rewarding or punishing humans based on their actions; it’s the natural law of cause and effect, where all actions have consequences. Buddhists believe that intentional actions, along with their consequences, are the main driving force of rebirth.
Dalai Lama, “the Ocean of Wisdom”
The Dalai Lama is an inspirational figure in Buddhism, often compared to the Pope due to his role as a spiritual leader with an immense following worldwide. He is the head of Tibetan Buddhism and is believed to be the reincarnation of the past 13. Unlike other religions, Dalai Lamas are found, not chosen, and the search starts soon after the previous one dies. The careful search takes time; the current Dalai Lama was discovered four years after the death of the 13th one.
Buddhism is the Fourth-Largest Religion in the World
With over half a billion people practicing Buddhism, it’s the fourth-largest religion, following Christianity (2.3 billion), Islam (1.9 billion), and Hinduism (1.2 billion). Although the religion is practiced all over the globe, followers primarily occupy Asian countries such as China, Thailand, and Japan. While China is home to nearly half of all Buddhists in the world, the percentage of the population identifying as Buddhists is relatively low, at about 4%. Thailand has the highest percentage of Buddhist followers, at 93.4%.
Nearly 7 Million Buddhists Live Outside of Asia
Buddhism originated in Asia, and nearly all followers live in the Asia-Pacific region. However, it has become a worldwide practice, with about 7 million Buddhists—approximately 1% of the global population and 1.4% of all Buddhists in the world—living outside of Asia. The US, South America, and Europe have significant Buddhist populations.
There is no “Holy Book” in Buddhism
Unlike Christians and Muslims, who rely on the Bible and the Quran as trustworthy guides toward the right path, there is no single holy book in Buddhism. Instead, Buddhists depend on numerous vital scriptures and teachings that guide them towards enlightenment. The most popular texts include the Pali Canon, the Tripitaka, and the Chinese Canon.
Meditation is a Core Practice among Buddhists
Meditation is a core practice in Buddhism. It allows followers to be mindful and focus on the present moment. Through meditation, people explore their minds, emotions, and sensations, which puts them on the path to enlightenment. Buddhists employ different meditation techniques, including Anapanasati, where practitioners achieve mindfulness through breathing, and Metta, which emphasizes practicing deep, unconditional love and kindness for all living beings, including oneself.
Not Every Buddhist Lives like a Monk
Not all Buddhists live like monks. Like everyone else, many work, raise families, and own possessions. Buddhists who choose a full-time monastic life do so to pursue enlightenment, surrendering worldly attachments such as work and family. Becoming a monk involves continuous practice, study, and adherence to the teachings of the Buddha. In most traditions, one becomes a novice monk before being fully ordained.
Not all Buddhists are Vegetarians
Although the Buddha discouraged harming or taking the life of other living beings, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle is a personal choice among believers. The Buddha did not make a vegetarian diet mandatory. However, many Mahayana Buddhist traditions, particularly in China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, do not allow the consumption of meat.
The Original Buddha Wasn’t Chubby
The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was lean and fit, with early texts describing him as “tall (about 6 feet) and well-proportioned.” Other accounts describe him as slim, “like a deer.” The chubby Buddha image depicts Budai, an Indian deity sometimes known as “the Laughing Buddha,” and does not represent the original Buddha.
Three of the World’s Tallest Statues are of Buddha
Buddha statues are celebrated for their spiritual significance. They help followers remain faithful, motivated, and resilient in overcoming struggles. These images serve as objects of devotion, connecting believers to the Buddha’s teachings. Notably, three of the world’s tallest statues are of Buddha: China’s Spring Temple Buddha (153 meters), Japan’s Ushiku Daibutsu (120 meters), and Myanmar’s Laykyun Setkyar (116 meters).
Anyone Can Become a Buddha
Since the Buddha is not a god or a supernatural being, anyone has the potential to become one. The fundamental teaching of Buddhism is that everyone has the potential to achieve enlightenment. This can be accomplished by understanding and practicing the Dharma, which includes refraining from the three poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion.
