Buddhism

Buddhism began in India in the Fifth century B.C.E Siddhartha Guatama is the Prince of India at that time. Found his way toward enlightenment.

The four types of Buddhism

Theravada: Known as southern Buddhism its dominant the Southeast part of Asia country like Cambodia, Laos, Thai, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Theravada means "The Way of the Elders" in Pali, reflecting the Theravadins' belief that they most closely follow the original beliefs and practices of the Buddha and the early monastic Elders ("Mahayana Buddhism: The "greater Vehicle"", 2012). Mahanya: Mahayana Buddhism is the primary form of Buddhism in North Asia and the Far East, including China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia, and is thus sometimes known as Northern Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhists accept the Pali Canon as sacred scripture with the Theravadans, but also many other works, the Sutras, which were written later and in Sanskrit ("Mahayana Buddhism: The "greater Vehicle"", 2012).

 Vajrayana: known as Diamond or Thunderbolt vehicle, it spread out in India and became established in Tibet ("Mahayana Buddhism: The "greater Vehicle"", 2012).

Zen: began in the 6th century in China and arrived at Japan in the 7th century. They believe that all Buddha nature have been clouded with ignorance. So they rejects the study of scriptures, religious rites, devotional practices, and good works in favor of meditation leading to a sudden breakthrough of insight and awareness of ultimate reality ("Mahayana Buddhism: The "greater Vehicle"", 2012).

Beliefs shared by some Buddhist traditions and Christianity:

Deity: In its original forms, Buddhism did not teach of the existence of transcendent, immanent, or any other type of God, Gods, Goddess, and/or Goddesses. However, many Buddhists -- particularly in Japan where is it often merged with the Shinto religion -- do believe in a pantheon of superatural entities. Prayer: Some traditions within Buddhism believe in the power of prayer; others do not (Robinson, 2010).

Conclusion
This history is worth remembering as Buddhism faces its biggest transition yet. To influence the modern world, Buddhism must adapt to it. The threat today is not Western religions but rather psychology and consumerism. Is the dharma becoming another form of psychotherapy? Another commodity to be bought and sold? Will Western Buddhism become comfortable with our individualistic consumption patterns, emphasizing expensive retreats and initiations catering to overstressed converts pursuing their own enlightenment? Or will Western psychotherapya relatively new, rapidly evolving fieldbe transformed by the dharma. Can a more socially engaged Buddhism demonstrate a more attractive alternative to consumerism? We are familiar with examples of how Buddhist teachings can illuminate our situation. Yet influence is a two-way street. The exotic names, robes, and rituals of Asian Buddhism are attractive to many of us, but sooner or later we must begin to distinguish the imported forms that we appreciate from the essential dharma that we need.

References
Mahayana Buddhism: The "Greater Vehicle". (2012). Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/sects /mahayana.htm Robinson, B.A. (2010). Comparison of Buddhism and Christianity. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism4 .htm