Buddhism (Burma Ascension)

Buddhism is a global religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent (mostly in modern day Myanmar) in the 6th century BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights on ending suffering by overcoming ignorance, rather than a god.

Four major branches of Buddhism exist - they are Theravada (The School of the Elders), Mahayana (the Great Vehicle), Ariya (Persian/Aryan) and Arphrikha (African). Theravada Buddhism is mainly found in Southeast Asia and certain parts of South Asia (particularly in Burmese territories), while Mahayana is found in East Asia and Eastern Russia. Ariya Buddhism is found in Persia and parts of South Asia (particularly the Bharat Republic). Ariya Buddhism is found mainly in Persia and parts of southern Russia, while Arphrikha Buddhism is found mainly in its namesake, Africa.

Buddhism is the largest religion in the world with over 3.5 billion adherents. It is found mainly in Asia, Oceania, Southern Africa, and is the fastest growing religion in the world, especially in South American and Communist states.

Buddhism is the dominant religion in a number of nations:


 * South China (93% - 703.22 million)
 * Bharat Republic (69% - 552.7 million)
 * Myanmar (98% - 476.6 million)
 * Persia (94% - 376.9 million)
 * Majapahit (90% - 205.2 million)
 * North China (72% - 180 million)
 * East Africa (86% - 120.3 million)
 * Japan (93% - 112.4 million)
 * Congola (95% - 90.3 million)
 * Vietnam (93% - 63.9 million)
 * Korea (91% - 51.1 million)
 * Sarawak (95% - 33.5 million)
 * Tibet (100% - 19.98 million)

It also has significant minorities in a variety of countries:


 * People's Republic of the Philippines (46% - 30.5 million)
 * Dravada Nadu (34% - 192.5 million)
 * Ethiopia (33% - 25.22 million )
 * South Africa (21% - 43.7 million)

South China has the world's largest Buddhist population at over 700 million. Bharat has the second largest, at over 550 million and Myanmar third at over 475 million.

Mission Work
Myanmar is the largest sender of Buddhist missionaries, with over 29,000 missionaries sent to nearly 100 countries annually. The Ananda Foundation, based in Yangon, is the world's largest Buddhist missionary organisation and is funded by both the Burmese government and the Burmese public.

The Red Mission is a dedicated Buddhist missionary service operating underground in most Communist countries.

La Mission Bouddhiste d'Afrique is the largest Buddhist mission group in Africa, based in Kinshasa in the Congo Federation.