There are approximately 328,000,000 Buddhists worldwide with between 30,000 – 130,000 in the UK. Buddhism is mainly practised in Asia, in countries such as Vietnam, Japan, Sri Lanka, Kampuchea, S. Korea, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China.

Buddhism started in India, but is really only practised now on its margins, in areas such as Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. There are however Buddhist Centres throughout the world. The oldest Tibetan Centre in the UK is in Eskdalemuir, Scotland.

Buddhism is based upon the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince born in approximately 563 BC. Siddhartha began his spiritual quest at the age of 29 which lead 6 years later to his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (‘tree of wisdom’) at Bodh Gaya in Northern Indian. He became known as the Buddha (the enlightened one). He lived to the age of about 80 and when he died he had a following of approximately 500 disciples. Buddhism grew dramatically during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (268-239BCE.) He converted to Buddhism. As his Empire covered much of India, Buddhism spread throughout it. He also sent missionaries off to other lands. It is said that his children introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
By the 1st century AD it had spread to China, largely due to the opening of trade routes from India. By the13th Century BC however Buddhism in India had declined. This was partly due to the destruction of the monasteries by the Muslim invaders, but also because it simply became re- absorbed into Hinduism. Buddha came to be seen as another incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.

The 20th century saw its arrival in the west. Here it has attracted new followers. Westerners have found that its lack of dogma its focus on the individual and emphasis on personal experience and its concerns about the environment fit comfortably with modern trends.

There is no one statement of beliefs (a creed). Buddhism is however based on Buddha's teachings. At first these were passed down by word of mouth. At some stage between 250-500 years after his death two sets of scriptures were compiled, one set by Council of Monks of the Theravada school (The Tripitaka) the other by the Mahayana school. Both were similar. The latter were mostly lost when the Moslem's invaded, but their ideas were continued in Tibetan and Chinese texts.

The Tripitaka (the three baskets) is in three parts and written in the Pali language, it consists of:

1.The teaching of Buddha (Dharma)
2.An explanation on that teaching (Adhidharma). Most of these are called Sutras
3.A rule book for monks and nuns (the Vinaya) There are 227 rules for monks,and more for nuns! The rules can be relaxed. Shoes were not one of the items a monk was originally allowed to have, but they are worn. It also sets out instructions on ceremonies

Studying, chanting, learning and discussing these and other texts are an important part of a Buddhist's life. The Prahmoksha (the heart of the Vinaya.) Is recited by monks and nuns when there are new and full moons.

Jatakas are part of the Tripitaka. They are hundreds of stories about Buddha's earlier life, particularly as an animal. They are an introduction to Buddhism and to the importance of good qualities.