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Buddhism
By peace | May 18, 2008
The Lotus : Nelumbo nucifera; Sacred Lotus, Sacred Water Lily
Buddhism is a word derived from the title “Buddha“, which means ‘Enlightened One’. It is a religion which puts emphasis on the individual for his own salvation rather than relying on a Creator or God.
Buddhism is founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a 5th century prince from what is now southern Nepal. This non-theistic religion is considered a major world religion today. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, born in the year 566 BC, the king of the Sakya people in present-day Nepal, , founded the faith. At his birth, it was prophesied that he would either become a world ruler or a great sage. His father wanted the former, so he arranged for his son to be brought up without seeing the troubles of the world.
Life of Buddha
Gautama grew up to be a handsome youth, who excelled in all kinds of activities. He lived a happy and contented life within the walls of the palace, and married a princess, Yasodhara, who bore him a son, Rahula. One day, Gautama persuaded his groom to take him outside the city walls. There he encountered four things that changed his life. First he saw an old man, then a sick man, and a corpse. Gautama was shocked, and asked for an explanation. The groom told him that these conditions were normal, and happened to everyone. Gautama then met a wandering holy man, who had given up everything to practise the religious life and seek the answer to suffering. He radiated a sense of serenity that Gautama knew he had to find.
Soon afterwards, Gautama shaved his head, and slipped out of the palace. He wandered far and wide, begging for his food, and subjecting himself to all kinds of austerities. Eventually, almost dying with hunger, he decided such practices would not achieve his goal. He resolved to practise a middle way between austerity and luxury. He took a little food, and sat beneath a tree at a place called Bodh Gaya in present-day Bihar, vowing not to move until he had achieved his goal.
At the age of 35, on the night of the full moon in May, he realized Nirvana (awakening, enlightenment) entering into deep meditation and becoming the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The Buddha would never explain Nirvana, saying that it is essentially beyond words and thoughts, and so Buddhists also refrain from speculating about it.
Buddha travelled the plains of northern India, teaching people the causes of suffering and guiding them towards Enlightenment. After 45years of preaching, he passed away. After his Nirvana, 500 monks compiled his teachings. It was at the second meeting that Buddhism was split into different sects and schools. In the third century, the spread of Buddhism was boosted through the support of Mauryan Emperor Asoka. Buddhism had its heyday in India during his reign.
The Buddha was born, lived and died a human being. He is not a god. The special thing about him was that he realized the state of sublime wisdom and compassion called Nirvana. He discovered the causes of all suffering, and the way by which all beings could reach the same state.
Buddha’s oral teachings were faithfully preserved and written down by his followers. The different types of Buddhism embrace the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path that are taught by Buddha.
Buddha’s Teachings
Buddha Quotes I
Buddha Quotes II
During the Han Dynasty, Buddhism spread to China from Central Asia and India. The religion absorbed Chinese traits and developed into a unique religion. From China, Buddhism spread to Korea in the fourth century and then, from Korea to Japan in the year 522.
In the 12th century, the religion experienced a drastic decline due to the revitalisation of Hinduism which, being the more inclusive, reabsorbed Buddhism. By that time, Buddhism(in several different varieties) had already spread to other parts of Asia, where it still survives. Today, the people in countries beyond Asia have also embraced Buddhism.
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