Buddhism is a form of religion and philosophy that originates from India. Buddhism is focused on the teaching of its founder, Gautama Buddha who once lives in the Indian subcontinent around the middle of the 6th Century B.C. to the early part of the 5th century B.C. Most of the teachings of Buddha are practical and is centered on the person's inner capacity to achieve peace and freedom. In fact, the teachings of Buddha say that a person can follow the footsteps of Buddha and can become enlightened if he study the words of Buddha and practice them. Buddha does not claim any exclusivity to holiness or enlightenment. According to him, everyone has a chance to ascend into a higher form of being as long as he or she follows the right part towards enlightenment.
Unlike most religions, which worship a creator or God, Buddhism does not purport to worship such creator or God. Buddhism does not have any preconditioned prejudices against any nationality, gender or race. In other words, Buddhism is universal and addresses everything and everyone as equal. Once of the core beliefs of Buddhism is equality and that everyone is created equal and must be addressed as such. The belief that all human beings regardless of race, culture, religion, status and gender are equal is called “Sila” under the Buddhist teachings. Another principle under the “Sila” is reciprocity. Aside from being equal, acts of human beings are said to have some reciprocal reactions. This means that if you don't want certain things to be done unto you, you must not do such things to another. The guiding principles of the “Sila” are actually very practical and universal.
