Buddhism


 * Section 1-Beliefs ||
 * Buddhists are considered polytheistic because they believe in many gods. Buddhist believe in reincarnation, which is believing that, after death, you are born into another body. If you do not live a good life then you are reincarnated to live again until you reach Buddha (bottom-left), the creator of Buddhism, who is also known as Siddhartha Guantama. Buddhists also believe in Karma and Dharma. Karma is what goes around comes around, and dharma is doing your job when you’re alive. For example, being a good person. Buddhists believe in the 4-noble truths and the 8 fold path. The 4-Noble Truths say that in order to live a good life and reach Buddha you must give up all desires because desires are the reason for suffering. Buddhist also believe in Nirvana, which is their version of Heaven. Their sacred text is the Tripitaka, and it is the Buddhist guideline to living a good life. Another thing they believe they must accomplish is enlightenment, which is reaching an understanding. Buddhists believe that anyone, no matter social status, can reach this understanding. Munks are the Buddhists teachers but the most important one of them is the Dali lama.Buddhists are considered polytheistic because they believe in many gods. Buddhist believe in reincarnation, which is believing that, after death, you are born into another body. If you do not live a good life then you are reincarnated to live again until you reach Buddha, the creator of Buddhism, who is also known as Siddhartha Guantama. Buddhists also believe in Karma and Dharma. Karma is what goes around comes around, and dharma is doing your job when you’re alive. For example, being a good person. Buddhists believe in the 4-noble truths and the 8 fold path. The 4-Noble Truths say that in order to live a good life and reach Buddha you must give up all desires because desires are the reason for suffering. Buddhist also believe in Nirvana, which is their version of Heaven. Their sacred text is the Tripitaka, and it is the Buddhist guideline to living a good life. Another thing they believe they must accomplish is enlightenment, which is reaching an understanding. Buddhists believe that anyone, no matter social status, can reach this understanding. Munks are the Buddhists teachers but the most important one of them is the Dali lama.(bottom-left,below Buddha) ||
 * [[image:buddha.jpg]]Buddha



Dali lama

resources for pictures:: [|http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e108/matteo687/Dali-Lama.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jasna-gora.org/Nonviolen] [|http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://triangulations.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/buddha.jpg&imgrefurl=http://triangulations.wordpress.com/] Section 2-History of the Faith in America ||
 * =====In the United States, the first immigrants from China came around the 1820, but they started immigrating in larger groups, settling on the west coast, in 1849. In 1853, the first Buddhist temple was built by Sze Yap Company in San Francisco. The Ning Yeong Company built a second one later that year ([]) Americans think of Buddhism as “strange”. Some view Buddhists with hostility, and others with fascination. When the Buddhism followers entered the United States, for more than half of the population this was a new and very different from their religion. At times they found it strange, and at other times they found it very interesting. There was one group following this “strange” new religion, and they consisted of Asian Buddhists immigrants. They were often being treated like “strangers” and struggled to adapt their religion to their new home in the United States.([|http://books.google.com/books?id=8R-Kl2C1C7QC&printsec=frontcover&dq=what+challenges+do+buddhists+face+in+america&]=====

[] = Growth of Buddhism in America

[] [] [|http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&biw=1024&bih=677&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=buddhist+temples+in+chicago&fb=1&gl=us&hq=buddhist+temples&hnear=Chicago,+IL&ei=L7XpTJyCL8P9nQf4] = map of Buddhist temples in Chicago ||
 * **Section 3-How does the Faith Look in America** ||
 * What do the worship places look like? Who practices this religion in the United States? Where is it practiced? How is it practiced?

The growth rate for the worshipers of Buddhism is a jumpy. From the years 1990 to 2001, Buddhism had grown 170% and transformed itself into the 4th most practiced religion in America. [|(1)]Buddhists in America worship in temples and homes. There are also many Buddhist centers located all through America. These are learning centers for Buddhists as well as those who would like to learn about Buddhism. You may think the temples are grand and extravagant, but really some can be as simple as an abandoned building or old church. In Denver, Colorado there are people who are looking for a church or similar type of building that can be turned into a Buddhist Temple. They want a larger building due to the expanding program they have. [meditationincolorado.org]

<---**__Denver Buddhist Temple__**<--- American Buddha <---Monk


 * Meditation and chanting are important parts of Buddhism. The practice of Buddhism can be formal or informal. Formal would be going to a Temple and kneeling on a pillow, chanting at the altar, or at home. Informal would be chanting on the go, as in the car, waiting at a railroad, or during rush hour.


 * In Buddhist homes, alters are places for meditation. Usually there will be a bell that is used in meditation, scent sticks, and Buddha figures.


 * It was said that more Buddhism was taken place in the west, were it first immigrated, but today, that is proven that now Buddhists can be found all over America.


 * Buddhists are not just from one ethnicity, but rather, from many different ones. There are European Buddhists, Catholic Buddhists, Jew Buddhist, and many more.


 * The word Buddha means “awakened one”.
 * "ism" is a suffix denoting a set of ideas, concepts, or beliefs

“Terms such as Nirvana and koan are in common usage, if seldom understood,” says an Article in the Times. [www.time.com]
 * It is said that Buddhism is being more understood as it is being taught more.


 * The Buddhist religion is one that believes in enlightenment, reaching an understanding. This seems like a soothing, more relaxed faith. From opinions of people I am finding that people are saying this religion is very open. No pressure is given, but more of a choice.

Samyutta Nikaya 1:4-6
 * "On the journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best of refreshments on the journey, and it is the greatest gift."

[|YouTube(1)] [|YouTube(2)] [|YouTube(3)] [|InterviewYouTube(4)] [|PowerPoint(1)] || The official site of the New Kadampa Tradition -
 * Geshe Kelsang established the International Temples Project in the early nineties. His vision is to build a Kadampa Temple for World Peace in every major city in the world. This project is funded entirely by the voluntary donations and revenue from the Buddhist Festivals.

International Kadampa Buddhist Union[|(0)]

--End of Faith Section- || resources for picture:[|http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ancient-symbols.com/images/buddhism-symbol.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ancient-symbols.com/religious_symbols.html&usg=__Zxw5SWPfWs99hTfv-qv0u9ea0Qw=&h=149&w=159&sz=6&hl=en] ||
 * **Section 4-Challenges Followers Face** **in America** ||
 * American Buddhists face many challenges choosing to spread Buddhism in the west. Choosing what should and should not change is a rather daunting task for people trying to bring Budhism to the states. Translators have a large history of failure which may also impact bringining this religion to America. Religious attire may also be a problem when bringing the religion to the west. Americans may not accept the standard "monk apparel". (1) American culture in itself is also a difficult challenge for Buddhists in America to transverse. Some Americans won't accept Buddhist beliefs into their society. (2) The biggest hurdle for American Buddhists to overcome, as for any other religion, is simply American ignorance towards the religion. Americans who are unaware of the beliefs of Buddhists are, obviously, less likely to accept Buddhists into society, Those who judge Buddhism by the average stereotypes may get the wrong idea about Buddhism. (3) ||
 * [[image:buddhism-symbol.jpg]]symbol of the Buddhism religion