The Kingdom of the Cults Chapter Summary & Analysis - Buddhism—Classical, Zen, and Nichiren Shoshu Summary

Buddhism—Classical, Zen, and Nichiren Shoshu Summary and Analysis

Classical Buddhism is one of the four major world religions with more than 350 million followers. This religion originated in the East and has now become popular in the West. Siddhartha Gautama, or Gautama Buddha, said man can achieve salvation and enlightenment for himself by following the Middle Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path. The ultimate goal is to reach Nirvana, a state were the self becomes extinguished in the Void (universal cosmic consciousness of a nonpersonal essence). Pali Tripitaka is thought to be the most reliable teachings of Buddha. Man suffers because his desires are focused on the illusion of self, which limits him to nonpermanence within the laws of Karma and reincarnation.

2500 years ago, Hinduism reigned supreme in India. The enslaving social caste system made reformers seek freedom from Hinduism. Gautama Buddha founded the Buddhist...
(read more)