Buddhism
Buddhism in Yorkshire and the Humber, as elsewhere in Britain, is characterised by its diversity. More than 7,000 Buddhists live here, particularly in the urban centres, with many other people practising Buddhist meditation or expressing sympathy with some Buddhist teachings. Most Buddhists are White, but about a quarter are ethnically Chinese, with others being Vietnamese or Sri Lankan. They subscribe to a range of different traditions with their origins in many parts of the world. Diversity of teaching and practice follows from such organisational variety. Different groups stress differing aspects; Theravada Buddhists place more emphasis on the historical figure of the Buddha, his experience and teachings, and on self-reliance in practice, and Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhists focus more on the Buddha nature and the compassion of those who defer their own enlightenment to help others. The principles of dharma - law/teaching - and sangha - the order of monks who interpret the texts - are also given varying degrees of prominence, with the four noble truths (of suffering – its causes, and the path out of suffering, which is the eightfold path to enlightenment), to the fore in some and not others. Traditions of ordination and monasticism are important in most, but not in some Japanese Buddhist movements. Ethical precepts – such as refraining from harming living beings (ahimsa), from excess, from stealing and lying – and meditation (whether seated or walking, chanting or visualisation) are common to all, as is the idea of repeated rebirth (samsara) until nirvana is reached. Life must be respected in all living beings, and so most Buddhists are vegetarian, and many are pacifists.
Mahayana Buddhists (from China, Japan and Vietnam) and Vajrayana or Tibetan groups are the most numerous in the region, though there are also Theravada groups and some more general Buddhist centres in Leeds and Sheffield that accommodate several different styles. There are two large Buddhist retreat centres, in Pocklington and Todmorden.
Festivals also vary according to the cultural traditions and ethnic origins of the various groups. Many commemorate events in the spiritual journey of the historical Buddha or the annual cycle of monastic life.
More information on Buddhism from the BBC website