Buddhism
Buddhism is a spiritual tradition with 376 million followers throughout the world. It emphasizes personal spiritual development and the achievement of a deep understanding of the true meaning of life. According to Buddhism, all elements of life are interrelated; therefore, compassion is necessary. Buddhists do not believe in a personal God. There are many different sects of Buddhism. The two major sects are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhists achieve Enlightenment through leading lives of morality, wisdom, and meditation.
History of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family around 580 BC in modern-day Nepal. Because of his rich upbringing and sheltered lifestyle, he was unfamiliar with the harsh realities of life. He finally ventured outside and was very bothered upon seeing the suffering that plagued mankind. Siddhartha left the royal life and traveled as a holy man. He sought to find a way to end human suffering. He met an Indian who advised him to lead a disciplined life of self-denial. He tried this lifestyle but stopped it and followed the Middle Way, which was neither lavish nor very poor. One day, Siddhartha was sitting under the Bodhi tree and entered a deep meditation about the truth of life. Through this, he attained Enlightenment and became the Buddha or “awakened one.” According to legend, Brahma, king of the gods, asked Buddha to educate the people. During the following 45 years, Buddha shared his knowledge.
Buddhism Beliefs
Buddhism does not focus on worshipping god(s), but it is based on teaching the dharma, or the truth about things in nature and the universe. Central to Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths that came to Buddha as he meditated under the Bodhi tree. They are: Dukkha (existence is full of suffering), Trsna (suffering is caused by the attachment to wrong things), Nirvana (suffering can end), and the Eightfold Path (how to end suffering and begin a life of Enlightenment). Buddhism also teaches the principles of karma, according to which our current lives reflect our past dealings, as well as the belief in rebirth by which consciousness exists in future lives. Buddhism is a peaceful religion that is against war and killing.
Buddhism Customs
Since there are different types of Buddhism, there are different types of Buddhist customs. The major traditions include meditation, Buddhist worship, honoring Buddha and the sacred mandala. There are different ways to honor Buddha, like giving gifts to Buddhist monks or to fellow Buddhists, going on pilgrimages, or becoming ordained as a Buddhist monk. In Buddhism, the aim of meditation is to calm the mind so that it can become more aware. Meditation can take place individually or in a group. Worship, in Buddhism, can take place at a temple or at home before a set-up shrine. It can occur in the presence of a monk, in a group, or alone. In Buddhism, worship involves a mantra, a syllable, word, or prayer, which is spoken or displayed on a prayer wheel. The sacred mandala is a visual of the universe that is painted, imagined, or created with colored sands. A mandala is used to help Buddhists reach Enlightenment.