Buddhism |
Biography: Buddhism began in northeastern India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The religion is 2,500 years old and is followed by 350 million Buddhists worldwide.Buddhism is the main religion in many Asian countries. It is a religion about suffering and the need to get rid of it. A key concept of Buddhism is Nirvana, the most enlightened, and blissful state that one can achieve. A state without suffering. |
Place of Origin | North East India |
Founder | Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) |
Sacred Text | |
Sacred Building | Stupa |
Major Festivals | |
Main Branches (Denominations) |
How is Buddhism different from other religions? Buddhism is different from many other faiths because it is not centred on the relationship between humanity and God. Buddhists do not believe in a personal c Who is the founder of Buddhism? The Buddhist tradition is founded on and inspired by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. He was called the Buddha and lived in the 4th or 5th century B.C. in India. reator God. Why is Siddhartha Gautama so important to Buddhists? Siddhartha Gautama found the path to Enlightenment. By doing so he was led from the pain of suffering and rebirth towards the path of Enlightenment and became known as the Buddha or "awakened one". |
Who was Siddhartha Gautama? Siddharta Gautama is known as the Buddha. He was born around the year 580 BCE in the village of Lumbini in Nepal. He was born into a royal family and for many years lived with in the palace walls away from the sufferings of life; sufferings such as sickness, age, and death. He did not know what they were. One day, after growing-up, marrying and having a child, Siddhartha went outside the royal palace and saw, each for the first time, an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. He was worried by what he saw. He learned that sickness, age, and death were the inevitable fate of human beings — a fate no-one could avoid. Why did Siddhartha Gautama stop being a prince and become a Holy Man? Siddharta had also seen a monk, and he decided this was a sign that he should leave his protected royal life and live as a homeless Holy Man. Siddharta's travels showed him much more of the the suffering of the world. He searched for a way to escape the inevitability of death, old age and pain first by studying with religious men. This didn't provide him with an answer. |
What are the symbols of Buddhism? | |
The wheel of life which symbolizes the cycle of life, death and rebirth. The eight spokes remind people that the Buddha taught about eight ways of life. | |
The lotus flower symbolizes purity and divine birth. The lotus flower grows in mud at the bottom of a pool, but rises above the surface to become a beautiful flower. Buddhist say this is how people should rise above everything which is dukkha. A flower may be very beautiful and have a wonderful scent, but it soon withers and dies. This shows that nothing in life is perfect. | |
Images of Buddha Statues of Buddha include lots of symbols. There are 32 symbols in Buddhism which show that the Buddha was a special person. The 32 Signs of the Great Man There are 32 main characteristics (Pali: Lakkhana Mahapurisa 32):
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Where do Buddhists Worship? Buddhist worship at home or at a temple. Worshippers may sit on the floor barefoot facing an image of Buddha and chanting. It is very important that their feet face away from the image of Buddha. They listen to monks chanting from religious texts and take part in prayers. Home Buddhists will often have a shrine. There will be a statue of Buddha, candles, and an incense burner. Temple Buddhist temples come in many shapes. Perhaps the best known are the pagodas of China and Japan. Another typical Buddhist building is the Stupa (upside down bowl shape). All Buddhist temples contain an image or a statue of Buddha. How to Buddhists Worship? Buddhist worship is called puja. People chant to show their love for the Buddha. They make offerings of flowers, candles, incense and pure water at a shrine. People thank Buddha for his teachings. When Buddhist worship alone they usually meditate and read from the Buddhist holy books. Every month. Most Buddhists have special religious days. These are often days when there is a full moon. Many Buddhists go to temples to worship on these special days. |
What are Enlightenment and Nirvana / Nibbana? Buddhist believes that there is a cycle of birth, life and death and rebirth. This goes on and on. They believe that unless someone gains Enlightenment, when they die they will be reborn. If a person can gain Enlightenment, they can break out of this cycle. Breaking out of the cycle is called Nirvana (sometimes called Nibbana). It is the end of everything that is not perfect. It is perfect peace, free of suffering. Meditation Buddhists try to reach Nirvana by following the Buddha's teaching and by meditating. Meditation means training the mind to empty it all of thoughts. when this happens what is important comes clear. |
The sacred book of Buddhism is called the Tripitaka (called Tipitaka in Pali). It is also called the Pali Canon, after the language in which it was first written. It is written in an ancient Indian language called Pali which is very close to the language that the Buddha himself spoke. The Tripitaka is a very large book. The English translation of it takes up nearly forty volumes. Buddhism is based on Buddha's teachings. At first these were passed down by word of mouth and later were complied into two sets of scripture. One set by Council of Monks of the Theravada school (the Tripitaka) the other by the Mahayana school (the Sutras). Both were similar. Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists generally accept the Tripitaka (called Tipitaka in Pali) as the Buddhist sacred writings. The three section of the Tripitaka (three baskets of Wisdom) are
Parts of the Tripitaka such as the Dhamma-pada and the Sutta-Nipata are among the most expressive religious books in the world. Some of Buddha's parables are very similar to those used by Jesus. |
What does Buddhist believe? Buddhist believes that the Buddha saw the truth about what the world is like. They believe that nothing in the world is perfect, and that the Buddha found the answer to why it is like this. They do not believe that the Buddha was a god. He was a human being just like them. They believe that he was important because he gained Enlightenment, and he chose to teach other people how to reach it too. The Three Jewels There are three Buddhist central beliefs. These are known as the three jewels as they are felt to be so precious.
One important belief involves reincarnation: the concept that one must go through many cycles of birth, living, and death. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana - a state of liberation and freedom from suffering. At the heart of the Buddha's teaching lie The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path which lead the Buddhist towards the path of Enlightenment. |
What did Buddha teach? The Buddha's teaching is often divided into three parts. These are the :
The Three Signs of Being The Three Signs of Being are the ways that the Buddha used to describe life.
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The Four Noble Truths What is the First Noble Truth? Dukkha: Suffering exists: The first truth is that life is suffering i.e. life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, boredom, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. What is the Second Noble Truth? Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and the needing to control things. It can take many forms: the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy. What is the Third Noble Truth? Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf let go of our craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana. What is the Fourth Noble Truth? Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path. The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering. |
What is Dukkha? Dukkha is suffering. All existence is "dukkha"; without permanence and therefore filled with suffering. |
The Noble Eight-Fold Path The Noble Eight-fold Path focuses the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths. It is the way Buddhists should live their lives. The Buddha said that people should avoid extremes. They should not have or do too much, but neither should they have or do too little. The 'Middle Way' is the best. The path to Enlightenment (nirvana) is through the practice and development of wisdom, morality and meditation.
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Meditation Q and A When I meditate my mind seems to become busier not calmer! When you first start to meditate your mind will be very busy, and you might even feel that the meditation is making it busier; but in reality you are just becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is. By practicing meditation patiently you can gradually calm this mental busyness and discover true mental peace. Sometime during meditation I become drowsy If this happens, first try to tighten our concentration a little. If this does not work, open your eyes slightly to let more light in, and if this does not work temporarily suspend the meditation, open your eyes and look around the room at shiny objects or sunlight. When your mind feels more alert, resume your meditation. No sooner does my mind find the object of meditation, than it loses it! Training your mind to hold an object such as the breath in meditation is like a mother training her baby to hold a ball. At first when the mother hands the baby the ball the baby will drop it. But if the mother perseveres, gradually the baby’s grip will get stronger and eventually the baby will be able to hold the ball tightly. In the same way, when we first start to meditate, the mind quickly drops it object and thinks of something else instead. The key to successful meditation is to be aware whenever this happens and bring the object of meditate back to mind. Eventually, through the force of familiarity, the mind will get affirm grip on it. I enjoy meditation, but my experience quickly fades when I finish Meditation does not end when we rise from the meditation seat, in the broadest sense, meditation is familiarizing your mind with a positive object, and we can do this at any time. Before rising from a meditation session it is important to make a determination not to lose the experience of inner peace. Even though this experience will fade, if from time to time you actively recall it, gradually your mind will become more familiar with in and the experience will remain longer. Eventually it will remain in your mind day and night, growing stronger with each meditation. |
What are the 5 Precepts (morals)? These are rules to live by. The main five are:
What are the Seven Factors of Enlightenment? In Buddhism, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Pali: satta bojjhaṅgā or satta sambojjhaṅgā; Skt.: sapta bodhyanga) are:
1.Mindfulness: (Pali: sati, Sanskrit: smṛti) plays a central role in the teaching of Buddhist meditation where it is affirmed that "correct" or "right" mindfulness (Pali: sammā-sati, Sanskrit samyak-smṛti) is the critical factor in the path to liberation and subsequent enlightenment. 2. Dhamma vicaya: In Buddhism, dhamma vicaya (Pali; Sanskrit: dharma-) has been variously translated as the "analysis of qualities,discrimination of dhammas, discrimination of states, "investigation of doctrine, and "searching the Truth. This concept implies applying discernment to things in order to deliver one from ignorance and craving. 3. Energy (viriya): In Buddhism, vīrya is one of the five controlling faculties (indriya), one of the five powers (bala), one of the six or ten pāramitās, one of the seven factors of enlightenment (bodhyaṅga) and is identical with right effort of the Noble Eightfold Path. 4. Joy or rapture (Pīti): Pīti in Pali (Sanskrit: Prīti) is a mental factor (Pali:cetasika, Sanskrit: chaitasika) associated with the concentrative absorption (Sanskrit: dhyana; Pali: jhana) of Buddhist meditation. Piti is a very specific joy associated with a state of deep tranquillity. It is often translated with the English words "joy" or "rapture" and is distinguished from the longer-lasting meditative "pleasure" or "happiness" (Pali, Sanskrit: sukha) that arises along with pīti. 5. Relaxation or tranquillity (passaddhi) : Passaddhi is a Pali noun that has been translated as "calmness," "tranquillity," "repose" and "serenity." The associated verb is passambhati (to calm down, to be quiet).In Buddhism, passaddhi refers to tranquillity of the body, speech, thoughts and consciousness on the path to enlightenment. As part of cultivated mental factors, passaddhi is preceded by rapture (pīti) and precedes concentration (samādhi). 6. Concentration (samadhi) : In Buddhism, samādhi is traditionally developed by contemplating one of 40 different objects (mentioned in the Pali canon, explicitly enumerated in the Visuddhimagga), such as mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati) and loving kindness (metta).Upon development of samādhi, one's mind becomes purified of defilements, calm, tranquil, and luminous. Once the meditator achieves a strong and powerful concentration, his mind is ready to penetrate and see into the ultimate nature of reality, eventually obtaining release from all suffering. 7. Equanimity (upekkha): “The real meaning of upekkha is equanimity, not indifference in the sense of unconcern for others. As a spiritual virtue, upekkha means equanimity in the face of the fluctuations of worldly fortune. It is evenness of mind, unshakeable freedom of mind, a state of inner equipoise that cannot be upset by gain and loss, honor and dishonor, praise and blame, pleasure and pain. Upekkha is freedom from all points of self-reference; it is indifference only to the demands of the ego-self with its craving for pleasure and position, not to the well-being of one's fellow human beings. True equanimity is the pinnacle of the four social attitudes that the Buddhist texts call the 'divine abodes': boundless loving-kindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. The last does not override and negate the preceding three, but perfects and consummates them.” |
What is Karma? Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results. This simple law explains a number of things: inequality in the world, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why some live only a short life. Buddhists believe that are past actions having an effect on who or what we are in our next life. What are karma and Vipaka? Karma is action, and Vipaka, fruit or result, is its reaction. Just as every object is accompanied by a shadow, even so every volitional activity is inevitably accompanied by its due effect. Karma is like potential seed: Vipaka could be likened to the fruit arising from the tree – the effect or result. Anisamsa and Adinaya are the leaves, flowers and so forth that correspond to external differences such as health, sickness and poverty – these are inevitable consequences, which happen at the same time. Strictly speaking, both Karma and Vipaka pertain to the mind. As Karma may be good or bad, so may Vipaka, - the fruit – is good or bad. As Karma is mental so Vipaka is mental (of the mind). It is experienced as happiness, bliss, unhappiness or misery, according to the nature of the Karma seed. Anisamsa are the concomitant advantages – material things such as prosperity, health and longevity. When Vipaka’s concomitant material things are disadvantageous, they are known as Adinaya, full of wretchedness, and appear as poverty, ugliness, disease, short life-span and so forth. Are There Different Types of Buddhism? There are many different types of Buddhism, because the emphasis changes from country to country due to customs and culture. What does not vary is the essence of the teaching — the Dhamma or truth. Theravada Buddhism, the school of Buddhism found in Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar & in part, Indonesia, Vietnam & Malaysia. Mahayana Buddhism, the school of Buddhism found in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Vajrayana Buddhism, the school of Buddhism found in Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Mongolia. Jodo Shin Buddhism or Pure Land Buddhism mainly from India, Japan |
Principle Dharma How does Buddhism praise gratitude? One who is grateful and does something in return for kindness to those who have done a favor such as parents, teachers, and other benefactors, is praised by Buddhism as a precious person who is difficult to find in this world. This teaching helps much in bringing harmony and concord to the family and society. To be a divine being in this life is to be with one of the following categories of appropriate qualifications:
- Reasonable faith (Saddha) - Morality (Sila) - Learning (Suta) - Sacrifice or generosity (Caga) - Wisdom (Panna)
- Loving-kindness (Metta), wishing happiness to others as opposed to ill will. - Compassion (Karuna), wishing others to be free from suffering as opposed to violence. - Sympathetic Joy over other’s achievement (Mudita) as opposed to jealousy. - Equanimity (Upekkha), being impartial as opposed to prejudiced. What are the advantages or benefits concerning which the Buddha taught the practical ways and means to achieve? There are three levels of advantages including ways and means to achieve them as told by the Buddha: 1/ The Present Benefit (Economic and social benefit) or Ditthadhammikatha: (1) An effort in earning a livelihood (2) Protection of what one has acquired (3) Having good companions (4) Moderate way of living 2/ The Future Benefit (The profit based on morality and virtues) or Samparayikattha: (1) Faith (2) Morality (3) Generosity (4) Wisdom 3/ The Absolute Benefit (The highest profit through freedom from defilement and suffering) or Paramattha: (1) Morality (2) Concentration (3) Wisdom According to Buddhism the triple study or education is:
The practice of this triple study will lead one to deliverance. The main doctrinal tenets of Buddhism can be summarised as follows:
- To do good - To purify the mind
- The cause of suffering - The cessation of suffering - The way leading to the cessation of suffering 3.Morality, concentration, and wisdom, leading to deliverance 4. Nothing is appropriate to cling to 5. Nibbana or extinction of all defilement and suffering. Certainly, there are many passages in the Tripitaka, the Buddhist Scripture, some of which mentioning Nibbana in this lifetime that Dhamma which can be seen in this life is timeless, inviting one to come and see, appropriate to be brought into practice and realizable for themselves by the wise. Anyone who can free oneself from clinging to egotism is sure to attain Nibbana here and now. The life that advance and succeeds FINISH |
Referent books - Wheel of Great Compassion The Practice of the Prayer Wheel in Tibetan Buddhism Lorne Ladner, Editor Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Foreword -The Compassionate Life His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Author -Drinking the Mountain Stream Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa Milarepa, Author -Ultimate Healing The Power of Compassion Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Author -Medicine and Compassion (Paperback) A Tibetan Lama’s Guidance for Caregivers Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Author David R. Shlim, Author -Prince Siddhartha The Story of Buddha, Second Edition Jonathan Landaw, Author Janet Brooke, Illustrator |
