Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) who lived between approximately 563 and 483 BCE. Originating in India, Buddhism gradually spread throughout Asia to Central Asia, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, as well as the East Asian countries of China, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan.

Buddhism teaches followers to perform good and wholesome actions, to avoid bad and harmful actions and to purify and train the mind. The aim of these practices is to awaken the practitioner to the realization of true reality and the achievement of Nirvana.

While Buddhism does not deny the existence of supernatural beings (indeed, many are discussed in Buddhist scripture), it does not ascribe power for creation, salvation or judgement to them. Like humans, they are regarded as having the power to affect worldly events, and so some Buddhist schools associate with them via ritual.

Buddhism is one of the official religions of Navi Bharat, and is the official religion of the autonomous Tibetan south (the only region in Navi Bharat to have an official religion.) Navi Bharati Buddhism is an offshoot of Tibetan Lamaistic Buddhism, and does regard the Dalai Lama as the incarnation of Buddha. Many young Navi Bharatis are drawn to the ideas of Buddhism.