Buddhism

Founded around 550 B.C.E. by Siddhartha Gautama

-Practiced by about 360 million people with a bulk of the people living in China

-No deity in Buddhism

-Major texts- Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutras, and Tibetan Book of the Dead

-Officials of the religion include: clergy, monks, and nuns

-Beliefs: Existence in suffering, you suffer for a reason, nirvana or there is an end to suffering

-Symbols/icons include: Lotus flower (enlightment), endless knot (eternal harmony)

-Holy day- Dhamma Day which celebrates the Buddha's first teaching

-Places of worship are at home or a temple

-Sarnath was the location of his first teaching, Lumbini was the birthplace, Bodh Gaya is where he achieved enlightment