What began as a young man's response to the suffering he witnessed centuries before the birth of Christ became a global philosophy upon which millions would eventually model their lives. This young man was Siddhartha Gautama, and this philosophy is Buddhism. Beyond just a way of life, Buddhism has also benefited the world through its contributions to nonviolence, generosity, unity, and culture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay First, Buddhism created a path of nonviolence that encouraged peaceful responses to problems as well as respect for morality. The early effects of this influence include Ashoka's bureaucracy, which he shaped to fit the idea of ​​equality. As such, it limited religious conflict and the mistreatment of animals.[1] This morality is also present in the last century, when Gandhi spoke about Buddhist philosophy and how it fundamentally changed his mentality. Gandhi was one of the most prominent advocates of nonviolence and personally cited his readings on faith as precursors to his campaign for human rights.[2] Additionally, meditation is a key part of Buddhism, and this contributes to the theme of non-violence since it helps an individual purify their mind of thoughts that can lead to tension and anger. Mental focus helps dispel negative actions, and those who participate in the practice can make more effective and rational decisions rather than short-sighted and potentially harmful ones, whether to themselves or others. Another major concept of Buddhism would be its approach to generosity. This notion has two parts. The first part concerns how goodwill should be exercised for altruistic reasons rather than for an individual's emotional gain.[3] In other words, be kind because it helps people, not because it gives you personal gratification. The second part would be the withdrawal of oneself from the physical world. In Buddhism, it is commonly accepted that attachment to physical goods is what leads to desire, but also to dissatisfaction. When people covet and aspire for more, they become obsessed with its value and overlook the fact that minimalism precedes nirvana. Therefore, in theory, generosity not only benefits others through giving, including to the Sangha, but it also benefits each person by allowing them to gain a purer, more down-to-earth view of their life, so that when it is time to move on, it is less attached to the physical world and less likely to be reincarnated. One source states how adopting open-mindedness is like a war against greed, but being able to overcome it and break away from it would ultimately lead to enlightenment.[4] Then Buddhism paved the way for more unified societies. There are countless examples of how faith brings people together, from the most basic structures of temple communities to entire populations like that of Tibet. Starting with the smallest unit, monasteries were formed when monks and nuns came together to pursue the common goal of following Buddhism.[5] Moreover, the unity of Tibet was solidified when China decided to encroach on its freedom. When China attempted to replace the Dalai Lama, citizens banded together to protest.[6] Another aspect of unity would be the elimination of the caste system...