BUDDHISM
Buddhism- Began in the North of India about 2500 years ago when Prince Siddhartha Gautama had realised a way to find nirvana also known as the perfect peace. He then became known as “the Buddha”, which means “enlightened one”. His teachings spread throughout India to most other parts of East Asia.
Buddhism teaches that humans can achieve nirvana by truly knowing ‘Four Noble Truths’:
1. All life involves suffering.
2.Suffering is caused by desire.
3. Desire can be overcomes.
4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the ‘Eightfold Path’.
ZEN BUDDHISM
Zen Buddhism is a special form of Buddhism that came to Japan through India and China during the 1100's and the 1200's. People who follow Zen study the sacred writing of Mahayana Buddhism and Meditate deeply on their meaning. Usually a master helps the followers enlightenment. Sometimes they help them with riddles caled koan. The point of koan is that it helps people use usual patterens of thinking and to help them achieve a flash of sudden insight.