Buddhism

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition or a way of life based primarily on the teachings of the yogi Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha. He was born a prince to the royal family of Kapilvastu, now in Nepal. Buddhism has its origins about 2,550 years ago when Buddha himself attained enlightenment.

Although its teachings are stark -- a common Buddhist phrase used to explain the faith is "Life is suffering" -- it is also optimistic, valuing and promoting charity, compassion, self-control, and self-knowledge. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to attain bodhi and then nirvana -- the latter literally meaning "a blowing out of suffering: which is nothing but to be free from lives." Buddhists believe in death and rebirth. As long as one keeps being reborn he/she continues to suffer in this world. So only when one manages to break free from this cycle of birth-death-rebirth does one truly achieve happiness.

Buddhism is a philosophy or 'way of life', the Buddhist paths are simply:

1. to lead a moral life
2. to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions
3. to develop wisdom and understanding

There are several major branches of Buddhism, each with notable differences in teachings.

The original context of Buddhism

Although it is known that Siddhartha Gautama studied under monks , yogis and religious thinkers of other religions in his search for spiritual revelation, little is known about those religions. Siddhartha focused Buddhism around the principal of the 'Middle Path'. Islam and Hinduism were the two religions widespread in South Asia during his lifetime. He created his doctrines such that Buddhism would be somewhere between these two religions. Hindus were losing their beliefs and Muslims were too zealous about Islamic practices. One must keep himself away from the extremes of total self denial or be a victim to sensual indulgence by following the 'Middle Path'. It is believed that in later Buddhism some elements may have been borrowed from or influenced by Vedic religion, and later, by Taoism, Confucianism and Islam, all of which were in turn influenced in some way by Buddhism.

The growth of Buddhism

In turn, Buddhist teachings have spread far beyond their original borders, growing into a diverse family of religions. Buddhism does not make religious conversion or evangelism a requirement, and its pacifist nature made it non-threatening to most governments, both factors which have contributed to its international growth.

Buddhist doctrine

Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that is why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert, only explain if an explanation is sought.

See also

• Branches of Buddhism:
  • Theravada
  • Mahayana
  • Vajrayana
  • Zen Buddhism
  • Tibetan Buddhism
  • Buddhism in the United States
• Eightfold Path
• Four Noble Truths