Buddhism Countries, Sites, History

Buddha statue in South Korea

Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new holistic approach to Buddhism. This approach has resulted in a distinct variation of Buddhism, which is called Tongbulgyo ("interpenetrated Buddhism")

Buddhism in Vietnam | History

Buddhism in Vietnam (Dao Phat or Phat Giao in Vietnamese), as practised by the ethnic Vietnamese, is mainly of the Mahāyāna tradition. Buddhism may have first come to Vietnam as early as the 3-2nd century BCE from the Indian subcontinent or from China in the 1-2nd century CE. Vietnamese Buddhism has had a syncretic relationship with certain elements of Daoism, Chinese spirituality, and Vietnamese folk

Amida Buddha statue, Japan

Buddhism in Japan has been practiced since its official introduction in 552 CE from Baekje, Korea, by Buddhist monks, according to Chronicles of Japan. Buddhism has had a major influence on the development of Japanese society and remains an influential aspect of the culture to this day. In modern times, Japan's popular schools of Buddhism are Pure Land Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism and Zen

Buddhism in Cambodia | History

Buddhism in Cambodia has existed since at least the 5th century: In its earliest form it was a type of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Today, the predominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia is Theravāda Buddhism: It is enshrined in the Cambodian constitution as the official religion of the country. Theravāda Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century (except during the Khmer Rouge period).

Buddhism in Laos

Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos. The Buddhism practiced in Laos is of the Theravāda tradition. Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravāda Buddhism and is at the basis of ethnic Lao culture. The percentage of the population that adheres to Buddhism in modern Laos is variously reported, the World Factbook estimates 65% of the total population identify as Buddhist.

Buddha in Amarbayasgalant Monastery

Buddhism in Mongolia derives much of its recent characteristics from Tibetan Buddhism of the Gelug and Kagyu lineages, but is distinct and presents its own unique characteristics. Buddhism in Mongolia began with the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) emperors' conversion to Tibetan Buddhism. The Mongols returned to shamanic traditions after the collapse of the Mongol Empire, but Buddhism re-emerged in the 16-17th centuries.

Svayambhu Stupa, Nepal

Buddhism in Nepal started spreading since the reign of Aśoka through Indian and Tibetan missionaries. The Kirātas were the first people in Nepal who embraced Gautama Buddha’s teachings, followed by the Licchavis and Newars. Buddha was born in Lumbini in the Śākya Kingdom. Lumbini is considered to lie in present-day Rupandehi district, Lumbini zone of Nepal. Buddhism is the 2nd largest religion in Nepal

Buddhism in Bhutan

Buddhism is the most widely practiced religion in Bhutan: Vajrayāna Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan, and Buddhists comprise 2/3 to 3/4 and Hinduism 1/4 of its population. Although the Buddhism practiced in Bhutan originated in Tibetan Buddhism, it differs significantly in its rituals, liturgy, and monastic organization. The state religion has been supported financially by the government through annual subsidies to Buddhist monasteries

Buddhism in Taiwan | History

Scholars can document the existence of Buddhism in Taiwan only from the migration of Chinese fleeing to the island after their failure to restore the fallen Ming dynasty in 1662. The “Southern Ming” court ruled Taiwan until the Qing dynasty captured the island in 1683. The subsequent history of Buddhism in Taiwan falls into 3 periods delimited by the 3 political regimes that followed:

Buddhism in Taiwan

Buddhism is one of the major religions of Taiwan. Around 35% of the Taiwanese population believes in Buddhism. Distinguishing features of Taiwanese Buddhism is the emphasis on the practice of vegetarianism, the influence of Humanistic Buddhism, and the prominence of large centralized Buddhist organizations. 4 Buddhist teachers who founded institutions that are particularly influential are popularly referred to as the "Four Heavenly Kings of Taiwanese Buddhism"

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