Philosophies, Religions & Belief Systems

Core teachings, founders, and key texts. Direct overlap with the book library’s Philosophy & Psychology and Thich Nhat Hanh categories. Scaffolding pass — 1 example entry.

Eastern Philosophy

Zen Buddhism / Engaged Buddhism— Zen: traditionally Bodhidharma (carried the practice from India into China, early 6th century CE); Engaged Buddhism: Thich Nhat Hanh (coined the term in 1967)

This entry covers two closely related strands kept together deliberately rather than split apart: Zen, the meditation-centered school of Mahayana Buddhism that prizes direct, wordless present-moment awareness over doctrine and scripture, and Engaged Buddhism, the 20th-century…

World Religion

Buddhism— Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

Buddhism began with Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Shakya clan who renounced his royal upbringing after encountering old age, sickness, and death, and eventually attained enlightenment (bodhi) through meditation, becoming "the Buddha" (the Awakened One). His core teaching,…