Japan, I read, has the third largest Buddhist population in the world but the Buddhist population there is expected to decrease in future. At the moment, 36.2% of the total population are Buddhists, 45.82 million individuals altogether but come 2050, there would only be 27.03 million; and this would be because the older Buddhists would have by then pass away and the population would not be replaced due to the low birth rates. There is no mention of the younger generation not being taught or being brought up as Buddhists as there is no mention of them becoming Atheists or converting to other religions due to proselytizing whatsoever. Buddhists and non Buddhists alike, may not know the term Great Renunciation or Great Departure but both would probably know that Siddhartha Gautama, before he became enlightened, left his palace at Kapilavastu to live a life as an ascetic. Renunciation seems to be part and parcel of Buddhism; and when people give up the mundane life to become monks and nuns, what do you expect but for the Buddhist population to decrease?
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