Buddhism


	Founded by Gautama Siddartha (c.5^th - 4^th Century BCE), the Buddha, in a reaction against prevailing Brahmanical trends in India. Principal doctrinal elements: anatta (no essential soul); karma (the belief that all actions have consequences across many lifetimes); ahimsa (nonviolence); rebirth in the endless cycle of samsara (the phenomenal world); and the possibility of attaining nirvana (enlightenment) through the pursuit of the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddhists believe that Gautama achieved enlightenment, and then proceeded to expound the method of attaining it to his followers. The many sub-schools that flowered in the two or three centuries after the passing of the Buddha, had been reduced to two major threads by the first centuries of the Common Era-- Theravada and Mahayana. Buddhist scriptures are embodied in the Tripitaka (three baskets)-- the sutras (oral teachings of the Buddha), the shastas (commentary on the sutras), and the jatakas (anecdotal stories about the Buddha during his previous lifetimes). Theravada, the southern branch, persists today mainly in Sri Lanka and Thailand, with numbers in other SE Asian countries. The northern branch, derived from Mahayana, exists in a variety of forms primarily in Tibet, China, Japan and Korea. Schools derived from both threads have gained followings in Europe and the United States during the 20^th Century, although Buddhism remains very much a minority religion in the west.

	General Buddhism DharmaNet Interlinks: Buddhist Studies From DharmaNet International, this site gives an extensive listing of academic sources for Buddhist studies. buddhanet.net: Buddhist Information Network This is a portal into a vast collection of links on every aspect of Buddhism-- history, beliefs, organizations, issues, scripture, etc. Buddhist Studies WWW Virtual Library: The Internet Guide to Buddhism and Buddhist Studies An extensive compilation of links for the practitioner and the academic. A diversity of topics, organized into sects and issues. Zen Zen Buddhism WWW Virtual Library A mix of links to Zen organizations and information. Electronic Bodhidharma: IRIZ A Zen research Institution. Zen/Chan Buddhism (In BuddhaNet File Library) An extensive list of primary texts and other writings, in downloadable form from zip files. DharmaNet's Zen Buddhist InfoWeb A source of links to Zen Buddhist organizations. Pure Land Namo Amitabha A site offering introductory information on Pure Land Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism A brief introduction to Pure Land Buddhism. Welcome to Shin Buddhism! A well-organized introduction to Shin, or Pure Land, Buddhism. Includes online translations of sutras. DharmaNet's Shin Buddhist InfoWeb A source of links to Pure Land Buddhist organizations and information. Theravada DharmaNet's Theravada Buddhist InfoWeb A source of links to Theravada Buddhist organizations. Hinayana Buddhism An excellent overview of Theravada, or Hinayana Buddhism, organized into ethics, doctrine, and background information. Access to Insight: Readings in Theravada Buddhism A well-organized site, indexed, with many primary texts and introductory information. Sadhu! The Theravada Buddhism Web Directory and Portal A site organized by topic within Theravada Buddhism. Many links. Tibetan DharmaNet's Buddhist InfoWeb: Vajrayana/Dzogchen A source of links to Tibetan Buddhist organizations and information. Dzogchen Foundation The site of the Lama Surya Das Dzogchen Center. Emphasis on "Buddhism for the West. Kadampa Buddhism The official Karma Kagyu web site. The Government of Tibet in Exile This is the official site for the Government of Tibet in Exile, with news, information on religion, culture, traditions, etc. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet A site devoted to the life and works of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, including an updated schedule of talks and events. Other DharmaNet's Buddhist InfoWeb: Mahayana/Eclectic Another source for many Buddhist organizations. Soka Gakkai International-- USA The official site for the USA organization of Soka Gakkai Buddhism. Friends of the Western Buddhist Order This is the official FWBO site. Some useful informational links, many links for practitioners.