I have considered myself to be a fairly religious person. I went to a Presbyterian elementary and middle school, a Christian School. At C.S. we had a religion class everyday. The difference from then and now is then we learned strictly about Christianity. I had never heard about evolution and other religions until I was in high school. I had only known that there was one God, and it was He to which we prayed. I knew that there was a heaven and a hell. The good people went to heaven and the bad to hell. In much more depth of course, but needless to say that was very naive. I had a Humanities class my sophomore year in high school. In this class we learned about all of the religions, how they operated, and what they believed. It was then that I took a deep interest in Buddhism. I didn't know much, but what I did know seemed so much different and it really caught my eye.
             Buddhism has two parts. These parts are Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. The first part is Mahayana. It can be defined as, "'Large Raft' Buddhism; one of the two branches of Buddhism, dominant in East Asia and Vietnam. So named because it's people carry a large raft to carry people to enlightenment." (Niwano, 87-88) And Theravada is defined as, "'Way of the Elders'; surviving school of one of the two branches of Buddhism, found in Southeast Asia. Claims to bet he most ancient expression of Buddhist teaching. Called 'Hinayana' by Mahayana Buddhist teachers." (Niwano, 87-88)
             The Theravada Buddhism has dated back to as late as sixth century B.C.E., and it's was founded in one of the countries that it flourishes in today, Southeast Asia. There one founder of this school of Buddhism that is Siddhartha Gautama. He has shown people what is known as the "middle way." This path is a path of liberation from the cycle of rebirth. All Buddhists honor this man. No matter what type of Buddhi...