Classifications
Is this religion mono/poly/heno?
Buddhism can be considered henotheistic by some yet others believe the religion to be neither henotheistic nor monotheistic. Buddhists do not have any gods.
Buddhism can be considered henotheistic by some yet others believe the religion to be neither henotheistic nor monotheistic. Buddhists do not have any gods.
Founding Story
How did this religion begin?
Buddhism began around 560 B.C. in India. It was founded by an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was born, a wise man foretold that if the young prince ever saw human suffering that he would become a religious leader instead of a mighty king. This upset his father who really wanted Siddhartha to rule his kingdom. So Siddhartha was never allowed to leave the palace and was always surrounded by young, healthy, happy people. When he was 16, Siddhartha married a beautiful princess and they had a son. For a while, he was happy with his wife and family stayed inside the palace walls. One day, when he was 29 years old, he snuck out to the palace walls he saw three types of suffering. Aging, Sickness, Death. seeing these things worried Siddhartha. He asked himself why there was so much suffering in the world. He decided to become a holy man and go off in search of the answer. So he dedicated his life to exploring one question: Why is there suffering? Searching for answer brought Siddhartha to a state of wisdom called enlightenment. Afterward, he was known as the Buddha or "enlightened one."
Buddhism began around 560 B.C. in India. It was founded by an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was born, a wise man foretold that if the young prince ever saw human suffering that he would become a religious leader instead of a mighty king. This upset his father who really wanted Siddhartha to rule his kingdom. So Siddhartha was never allowed to leave the palace and was always surrounded by young, healthy, happy people. When he was 16, Siddhartha married a beautiful princess and they had a son. For a while, he was happy with his wife and family stayed inside the palace walls. One day, when he was 29 years old, he snuck out to the palace walls he saw three types of suffering. Aging, Sickness, Death. seeing these things worried Siddhartha. He asked himself why there was so much suffering in the world. He decided to become a holy man and go off in search of the answer. So he dedicated his life to exploring one question: Why is there suffering? Searching for answer brought Siddhartha to a state of wisdom called enlightenment. Afterward, he was known as the Buddha or "enlightened one."
Key Figures
Important people to the story?
Monks are religious figures in Buddhism. Monks are holy people who live a simple life and dedicate everything to the goal of reaching Nirvana (Enlightenment). The Dalai Lama was a very influential and important monk. Those who wish to make serious progress in this faith must become monks. Most men become monks at some point in their lives. Some enter a monastery for just a few weeks or months. For this reason, monastaries, or wats play a big role in Theravada Buddhism. In Thailand and Myanmar, almost every town has a wat. Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada (conservatives) and Mahayana (Liberals).
Monks are religious figures in Buddhism. Monks are holy people who live a simple life and dedicate everything to the goal of reaching Nirvana (Enlightenment). The Dalai Lama was a very influential and important monk. Those who wish to make serious progress in this faith must become monks. Most men become monks at some point in their lives. Some enter a monastery for just a few weeks or months. For this reason, monastaries, or wats play a big role in Theravada Buddhism. In Thailand and Myanmar, almost every town has a wat. Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada (conservatives) and Mahayana (Liberals).
Religious Authority
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Who or what makes the rules?
Buddhists follow many scriptures. Two very important set of rules include: they are the four noble truths and the eighth fold path.
Central to Buddha's teachings are what are called the Four Noble Truths. Buddha taught that recognition of these truths is necessary for a person to attain enlightenment.
The first Noble Truth
The first noble truth states that suffering (duhkha) is everywhere. One cannot escape it, as Buddha learned when he was still Prince Siddhartha and he ventured outside his father's palace grounds. Buddha told his disciples that birth, sickness, old age, sorrow, mourning, and despair were suffering.
The second Noble Truth
The second of the noble truths maintains that suffering is caused by greed and selfishness. It is the desire for pleasure and material things, Buddha pointed out, that causes people to suffer and to be unhappy. It is also this death and rebirth.
The third Noble Truth
The third noble truth holes that by overcoming desire, one become enlightened and break out of the rebirth cycle taught by Hinduism. Buddha believed that by being good. a follower would be reborn into a higher form of goodness. Then if the person continues to be good and is pure in mind and heart, he or she will be reborn into an even higher form of goodness. In time, the cycle stops, and the believer escapes both life and death. He or she is then said to have attained Nirvana, which is the highest state of enlightenment.
The fourth Noble Truth/Eightfold Path
The fourth noble truth points out ways Buddha said people can free themselves from desire and selfishness and become enlightened. These ways he summarized in the Noble Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path lists all the "right" things people should strive to do. They are:
right beliefs or understanding;
right aims or intentions;
right speech;
right conduct or action;
right work or livelihood;
right effort;
right thinking or mindfulness; and
right concentration
Buddhist differ in their approach to fulfilling the Eightfold Path. Some, for example believe that they have fulfilled the poor. Others feel that they can achieve right thinking by studying sacred Buddhist scriptures. These rules concerning right conduct. These rules are based on what Buddhists call Five Precepts or Five Moral Rules. The Five precepts like monks and nuns are to not to agree on eating anything after the noon hour, wear any jewelry or ornament, sleep on a soft bed, participate in or enjoy and kind of entertainment, or use money.
Buddhists follow many scriptures. Two very important set of rules include: they are the four noble truths and the eighth fold path.
Central to Buddha's teachings are what are called the Four Noble Truths. Buddha taught that recognition of these truths is necessary for a person to attain enlightenment.
The first Noble Truth
The first noble truth states that suffering (duhkha) is everywhere. One cannot escape it, as Buddha learned when he was still Prince Siddhartha and he ventured outside his father's palace grounds. Buddha told his disciples that birth, sickness, old age, sorrow, mourning, and despair were suffering.
The second Noble Truth
The second of the noble truths maintains that suffering is caused by greed and selfishness. It is the desire for pleasure and material things, Buddha pointed out, that causes people to suffer and to be unhappy. It is also this death and rebirth.
The third Noble Truth
The third noble truth holes that by overcoming desire, one become enlightened and break out of the rebirth cycle taught by Hinduism. Buddha believed that by being good. a follower would be reborn into a higher form of goodness. Then if the person continues to be good and is pure in mind and heart, he or she will be reborn into an even higher form of goodness. In time, the cycle stops, and the believer escapes both life and death. He or she is then said to have attained Nirvana, which is the highest state of enlightenment.
The fourth Noble Truth/Eightfold Path
The fourth noble truth points out ways Buddha said people can free themselves from desire and selfishness and become enlightened. These ways he summarized in the Noble Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path lists all the "right" things people should strive to do. They are:
right beliefs or understanding;
right aims or intentions;
right speech;
right conduct or action;
right work or livelihood;
right effort;
right thinking or mindfulness; and
right concentration
Buddhist differ in their approach to fulfilling the Eightfold Path. Some, for example believe that they have fulfilled the poor. Others feel that they can achieve right thinking by studying sacred Buddhist scriptures. These rules concerning right conduct. These rules are based on what Buddhists call Five Precepts or Five Moral Rules. The Five precepts like monks and nuns are to not to agree on eating anything after the noon hour, wear any jewelry or ornament, sleep on a soft bed, participate in or enjoy and kind of entertainment, or use money.
Core Believes
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Goals:
Buddhism teaches that living is suffering. It also teaches that people are reborn many times into lives of suffering. People suffer because they desire, or feel attached to, the things of this world. They can escape suffering by putting a stop to their desire and attachment. Buddhism presents a way to reach this difficult goal. The Buddhist path includes clear thinking, good conduct, honorable work, and meditation. In Buddhism, meditation means focusing on one thing and keeping the mind still. By following this path, Buddhism hope to reach enlightenment. Those who succeed become part of a world beyond thought called nirvana. Those who fail are born into a new body into a new body after they die and must live another life of suffering. According to Buddhism, people keep being reborn until they become enlightened. Buddhists believe that the Buddha learned why there is suffering in the world and how to overcome suffering and become Enlightened. Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation. They believe that everyone lives many life's. This cycle of birth and rebirth is called Samara. The quality of your next life depends on your karma.
The Sign of Beings:
To the four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight Path, there is a third part of Buddha's teachings that is important to his followers. It is called the Three Signs of being. These three signs are duhkha, anicca, and anatta. Duhkha is simply suffering. But duhkha is anything that brings unhappiness. Buddhists maintain that all life is duhkha as nothing in life is perfect. The second sign, anicca, refers to the impermanence of things. Nothing is permanent, the Buddha taught. Everything is temporary. Whether one refers to change in the seasons, to flowers that bloom and then die, or to human beings, nothing remains the same. The only escape is to attain Nirvana. The third sign is anatta. Anatta means "no soul." Although Buddhists believe in reincarnation. they do not believe a soul can be reborn.
Buddhism teaches that living is suffering. It also teaches that people are reborn many times into lives of suffering. People suffer because they desire, or feel attached to, the things of this world. They can escape suffering by putting a stop to their desire and attachment. Buddhism presents a way to reach this difficult goal. The Buddhist path includes clear thinking, good conduct, honorable work, and meditation. In Buddhism, meditation means focusing on one thing and keeping the mind still. By following this path, Buddhism hope to reach enlightenment. Those who succeed become part of a world beyond thought called nirvana. Those who fail are born into a new body into a new body after they die and must live another life of suffering. According to Buddhism, people keep being reborn until they become enlightened. Buddhists believe that the Buddha learned why there is suffering in the world and how to overcome suffering and become Enlightened. Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation. They believe that everyone lives many life's. This cycle of birth and rebirth is called Samara. The quality of your next life depends on your karma.
The Sign of Beings:
To the four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight Path, there is a third part of Buddha's teachings that is important to his followers. It is called the Three Signs of being. These three signs are duhkha, anicca, and anatta. Duhkha is simply suffering. But duhkha is anything that brings unhappiness. Buddhists maintain that all life is duhkha as nothing in life is perfect. The second sign, anicca, refers to the impermanence of things. Nothing is permanent, the Buddha taught. Everything is temporary. Whether one refers to change in the seasons, to flowers that bloom and then die, or to human beings, nothing remains the same. The only escape is to attain Nirvana. The third sign is anatta. Anatta means "no soul." Although Buddhists believe in reincarnation. they do not believe a soul can be reborn.
Beliefs about the after life:
Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator or personal god. Buddha did not claim to be a god, nor did he claim to have received any revelation from a god. Although there are many statues of Buddha throughout the Buddhist world, Buddhists do not worship him as a deity. Because the followers of Buddhism do not recognize the existence of an all-powerful god, adherents of other religions, particularly Christianity, hold that Buddhism is not a religion at all but a way of life. Buddhists also have no concept of a Savior or of a heaven. Some sources refer to Nirvana as the Buddhist "heaven", but, as you have learned; Nirvana is looked upon as being a state of non-existence rather than a place where people might spend eternity.
Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator or personal god. Buddha did not claim to be a god, nor did he claim to have received any revelation from a god. Although there are many statues of Buddha throughout the Buddhist world, Buddhists do not worship him as a deity. Because the followers of Buddhism do not recognize the existence of an all-powerful god, adherents of other religions, particularly Christianity, hold that Buddhism is not a religion at all but a way of life. Buddhists also have no concept of a Savior or of a heaven. Some sources refer to Nirvana as the Buddhist "heaven", but, as you have learned; Nirvana is looked upon as being a state of non-existence rather than a place where people might spend eternity.
Rules/guidelines for daily life:
Buddhists call suffering duhkha. The Buddha taught followers the four noble truth and the the noble eightfold path. The four noble truths are: 1. Duhkha is everywhere, all the time; 2. Duhkha is caused by greed and selfishness; 3. Greed and Selfishness can be ended; 4. The way to end Greed and Selfishness is to follow the Noble eightfold path.
The noble eightfold path
The Buddha said that you cannot reach Nirvana by living a life of luxury and you cannot reach Nirvana by living a life of deliberate poverty and starvation (Remember: he had tried both). He taught his followers that they should follow a middle way between the two extremes. He said that the middle way had eight parts and that to make it work you must follow all of them. This is why The Buddha's Middle Way is known as the Noble Eightfold Path.
Buddhists call suffering duhkha. The Buddha taught followers the four noble truth and the the noble eightfold path. The four noble truths are: 1. Duhkha is everywhere, all the time; 2. Duhkha is caused by greed and selfishness; 3. Greed and Selfishness can be ended; 4. The way to end Greed and Selfishness is to follow the Noble eightfold path.
The noble eightfold path
The Buddha said that you cannot reach Nirvana by living a life of luxury and you cannot reach Nirvana by living a life of deliberate poverty and starvation (Remember: he had tried both). He taught his followers that they should follow a middle way between the two extremes. He said that the middle way had eight parts and that to make it work you must follow all of them. This is why The Buddha's Middle Way is known as the Noble Eightfold Path.
Concept of higher power
Key holidays
Sites and Symbols
Famous places and images of the religion:
There are two main symbols that Buddhism focuses on they are the 8 spoke wheel and the "stupa" which is where they pray.
There are two main symbols that Buddhism focuses on they are the 8 spoke wheel and the "stupa" which is where they pray.
Sects and Branches
Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada (conservatives) and Mahayana (Liberals). Hinduism has many branches, some of these branches have grown into whole new religions. Buddhism, for example, began in the sixth century B.C. as a movement to reform Hinduism. The Buddha accepted the Hindu ideas of reincarnation, karma, and nirvana. He dismissed most Hindu rituals. He also rejected the caste system. He said that everyone could reach nirvana in one lifetime, if they followed the path he taught. Both Theravada Buddhists and Mahayana Buddhists seek release from endless rebirth and believe in the goal of enlightenment. Both agree that a way of living called Buddha's "Eightfold Path" is way to reach enlightenment. Both believe in the law of karma. The disagreement between these two schools is a matter of emphasis and centers on the Buddha himself. Mahayana Buddhists see Buddha as a saint. They point out that Buddha not only become enlightened but also came back as a saint to help others. Such a saint called a Boddhisatva. Buddha was the first and greatest Boddhisatva, but there are many others. Mahayana Buddhists believe that people can get help from Buddha and from other Boddhisatvas through prayers and rituals. In the Theravada school of thought, Buddha is seen as a model who showed the way. Others can follow the same way, but they get no special help from Buddha or other saints. To become enlightened, people have to live and do exactly as Buddha did. For Theravada Buddhists, the ancient Buddhist scriptures are of special importance. They show exactly what Buddha said and thought.