Buddhism

At a Glance Founded on the teachings of Gautama Buddha in around the 6th century BC Over 376 million followers, roughly equivalent to the populations of Spain, Germany, France, England, Belgium, Netherlands and Portugal combined Aim is to reach nirvana, or to reach enlightenment. This is done by meditation, and to follow the way of the buddha, which is to have no attachment to physical items, to feel no hate, envy or jealousy, to use only what you need, and to treat everyone with respect. Types of Buddhism Theravada - South East Asia, Sri Lanka. Mahayana -East Asia, incl. China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia Tibettan Nichiren (Japanese) Siddharta Gautama Born a Prince in Lumbini, Nepal. The Story says that as a child, he was never aware of the suffering of the world because he lived in his palace. One day when he was older he left the palace, and was shocked by the depression, sadness and death around him. He decided to part with all his wealth and to become a monk, and to meditate under the bodhi tree. He intended to reach the middle way, where one is neither poor nor rich. When the buddha reached enlightenment, he preached around the land for people to seek enlightenment. Beliefs Buddhists believe humans are caught in samsara: the endless cycle of existence, characterized by maya (illusion), tanha (craving) and hatred/aversion, leading to dukkha (suffering or unsatisfactoriness). Reincarnation - Life is a constant cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The actions of this life affect your rebirth in the next. There are many buddhas that have been reborn. The number of buddhas depends on the type of buddhism. 4 Noble Truths: Truth of Suffuring Truth of the Origins of Suffering Truth of the End of Suffering Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering We achieve Enlightenment by: acknowledging the Three Jewels: Buddha, dharma/dhamma, and sangha, by joining the sangha accepting the Four Noble Truths following the Middle Way/the Noble Eightfold Path following the precepts consistent with a lay or monastic way of life following the path of the bodhisattva developing wisdom and compassion. Bodhisattva - a person who chooses to reach nirvana, but instead chooses to help others against suffering. Main philosophy- Happy is he who has overcome his ego Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) State of Nirvana- the ultimate goal of Buddhism. When emotion and psychological defilements are destroyed by wisdom, the mind becomes free, radiant and joyful and at death one is no longer subject of rebirth. Nirvana is a state of non-suffering even while we continue to live the life during which we achieved this state. One who has achieved this stat is called an Arhant, an enlightened one.