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Buddhism is the world's fourth-largest religion, with about 708 million adherents. The faith focuses on the teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni, who lived during the mid-6th to 5th century BCE. In a more general sense, Buddhists also use the word "Buddha" to describe any person who discovers the true nature of reality through spiritual cultivation. Variations in traditions (Mahayana, Theravada, Vajrayana) have spread throughout the world. The practice of ordaining Buddhist nuns began when the step-mother of Buddha Sakyamuni, Mahaprajapati, asked the Buddha for permission to live as an ordained minister. Her acceptance marked the establishment of the female monastic tradition in Buddhism that still exists today. Both monks and nuns in the Mahayana and, to a lesser extent, Theravada tradition of Buddhism maintain, translate, advance, and spread the teachings of the Buddha. While both practice celibacy, it is not uncommon for monks and nuns to live in the same monastery. Seen here are Buddhist nuns participating in the Fourth World Buddhism Summit in Myanmar, 2004.
Credit: AP/David Longstreath
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