Buddhism

Buddhism

By Lora Tucker

What Is Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500
years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of
suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good
behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.

Buddha’s Childhood

Siddhartha Gautama Childhood

Gautama grew up in princely luxury, shielded from the outside world,
entertained by dancing girls, instructed by brahmins, and trained in
archery, swordsmanship, wrestling, swimming, and running. When
he came of age he married Gopa, who gave birth to a son. He had,
as we might say today, everything.

Who Created buddhism

The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was born circa 563 BCE
into a wealthy family. Gautama rejected his life of riches and embraced a
lifestyle of asceticism, or extreme self-discipline. After 49 consecutive days of
meditation, Gautama became the Buddha, or “enlightened one”.

Buddha’s Adult life

The highlights of his life are: He was a prince. He was married and
had children, but abandoned them when he had a religious crisis and
began a personal religious quest. He tried several different religious
avenues, including self-denial.

The five precepts of buddhism

●To abstain from taking life.

●To abstain from taking what is not given.

●To abstain from sensuous misconduct.

●To abstain from false speech.

●To abstain from intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind.

How is buddhism different today

The form Buddhism found in the West today has been deeply
influenced by this modernism. Buddhist modernist traditions are
reconstructions and a reformulation with emphasis on rationality,
meditation, compatibility with modern science about body and mind.

How do buddhists Worship

Buddhists will usually bow to shrines and some will even lie face down
themselves in front of shrines. They do this as a sign of respect and this
reflects the culture of many Buddhist countries. They also bow to indicate the
denial of the ego. Buddhists may also chant as part of their worship.

facts About Buddha

●The word "buddha" in Sanskrit means "enlightened one".

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Buddha grew up in a wealthy family

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He decided to follow a path of self-denial, but did not find truth until he sat down
under a tree

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Buddha sat under the Bo tree for 49 days and was tempted by demons. He
discovered four noble truths and the Eightfold Path to Nirvana, or ultimate bliss.