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    An Introduction To World Religion Buddhism

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    Pyae Wa
    Buddhism began in India in the late 500s BCE from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. The central teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which were taught by the Buddha to overcome suffering. There are three main branches of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - which differ in their interpretations and emphasis of Buddhist doctrines. Buddhists worship at temples and celebrate important festivals honoring the Buddha.

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    An Introduction To World Religion Buddhism

    Uploaded by

    Pyae Wa
    50 views7 pages
    Buddhism began in India in the late 500s BCE from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. The central teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which were taught by the Buddha to overcome suffering. There are three main branches of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - which differ in their interpretations and emphasis of Buddhist doctrines. Buddhists worship at temples and celebrate important festivals honoring the Buddha.

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    Buddhism began in India in the late 500s BCE from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. The central teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which were taught by the Buddha to overcome suffering. There are three main branches of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - which differ in their interpretations and emphasis of Buddhist doctrines. Buddhists worship at temples and celebrate important festivals honoring the Buddha.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    50 views7 pages

    An Introduction To World Religion Buddhism

    Uploaded by

    Pyae Wa
    Buddhism began in India in the late 500s BCE from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. The central teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which were taught by the Buddha to overcome suffering. There are three main branches of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - which differ in their interpretations and emphasis of Buddhist doctrines. Buddhists worship at temples and celebrate important festivals honoring the Buddha.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 7

    Buddhism

    Buddhism
    Buddhism began in India during late 500BCE from the teachings of a
    prince named Siddhartha Gautama who later came to be known as
    Gautama Buddha, meaning ‘enlightened one’.

    Buddhists celebrate and revere the Buddha as an enlightened human


    being rather than as a god or an incarnation of god. The main source
    of faith and practice for Buddhists is the Dharma (the teachings of the
    Buddha).

    Most Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths and follow the
    Eightfold Path (see next page). Buddhists also agree on rules and
    teachings governing their own particular sangha (community). While
    there are different traditions with Buddhism, the central teachings of
    Buddha Sakyamuni are shared by all:
    • Nothing in the world is fixed or permanent
    • Everyone is influenced by past actions (karma)
    • Reincarnation or rebirth can occur in human form, animal form,
    as a ghost, in a blissful state (nirvana) or in a state of woe. Beliefs
    about rebirth can vary according to particular traditions and
    communities.

    The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path


    The central teachings of all schools of Buddhism are based on the
    Four Noble Truths:
    1. Life is subject to mental and physical suffering and frustration
    (dukkha)
    2. The origin or cause of dukkha can be attributed to selfishness
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    and craving things for oneself; for example, wealth and power
    3. The overcoming of dukkha is known as nirvana: a state of mind
    that transcends desire and suffering
    4. One reaches nirvana by following the Eightfold Path

    The Eightfold Path consists of the following understandings and


    practices:
    1. Right Understanding: knowledge that the Four Noble Truths
    lead to overcoming dukkha
    2. Right Thought: a genuine wish to break free from desire
    3. Right Speech: controlling one’s speech so that it does not harm
    others. Buddhists will avoid lying or gossip
    4. Right Action: avoiding actions that are harmful to oneself or any
    other living creature
    5. Right Livelihood: earning a living in a way that does not cause
    harm or suffering to others. This involves avoiding professions
    that create or distribute weapons, that promote intoxication, or
    that involve the slaughter of animals
    6. Right Effort: paying attention continually to one’s lifestyle
    7. Right Mindfulness: constant awareness about the effects of
    one’s actions so as to avoid causing harm
    8. Right Concentration: attaining serenity by cultivating the mind
    through meditation

    Schools of Buddhism
    The differences between the schools of Buddhism rest on the
    emphasis they place on particular aspects of the teachings and the
    interpretation of rules governing the conduct of the ‘sangha’
    (Buddhist spiritual community).

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    • Theravada Buddhism: the Theravada School adheres strictly to
    the original teachings of Buddha as contained in the Pali canon
    (scripture) and emphasizes the goal of personal salvation for the
    individual follower. The importance of the community of monks is
    also characteristic of the Theravada tradition. Theravada
    countries include Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and
    Laos.
    • Mahayana Buddhism: the Mahayana School has less emphasis
    on the monastic code of conduct, and so is less formally strict. The
    emphasis is on the importance of becoming a Buddha for the
    salvation of living beings. Zen Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana
    Buddhism, strongly emphasises the practice of meditation.
    Mahayana countries include China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea.
    • Vajrayana Buddhism: differs from the Mahayana School in that
    it places emphasis on developing and accepting a personal guru
    (teacher). Meditation and special sayings known as ‘mantras’ are
    also characteristics of the Vajrayana tradition. Vajrayana
    countries include Tibet, Mongolia and Nepal.

    Buddhist Practices
    Buddhism has no prescribed dress code for ordinary Buddhists.
    Buddhist monks shave their heads and wear a robe that is usually
    brown, tan, orange, red, maroon or grey. Nuns usually wear a brown,
    white, grey or pink robe. Regulations governing food depends on which
    branch of Buddhism is practised and in what country. Meat and fish
    are generally not eaten by the Theravada and Mahayana traditions
    because it is considered bad karma (since animals can be reincarnated
    as humans and vice versa). Buddhist monks fast from all food on the
    new and full moon of each lunar month. Buddhists generally abstain
    from mind altering substances such as alcohol and drugs.

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    Place and Style of Worship
    The main place of worship for a Buddhist is the temple, which often
    includes a shrine and a statue of Buddha on festival days. Buddhists
    make offerings of flowers, light candles and incense in front of the
    statue and perform meditation. Worship is commonly in the form of
    chanting Buddha’s teachings, meditation and mantras.

    Buddhist Festivals and Celebration Dates


    The dates and the way that festivals are celebrated vary between
    countries and Buddhist traditions. Most Buddhists use the lunar
    calendar.

    Buddha Day is considered the most important festival of the Buddhist


    year. Buddha Day commemorates the birth and enlightenment of
    Buddha in Mahayana Buddhist countries. In Theravada countries,
    Buddha Day is also known as Wesak Day and it celebrates the birth,
    enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Buddha Day is commonly
    celebrated with the ‘Bathing of Buddha’ whereby water is poured over
    the shoulders of the Buddha as a reminder of the need to purify the
    heart and mind. Dancing dragons, lanterns made out of paper and
    wood, releasing caged birds and making origami paper crane
    decorations are other ways in which Wesak Day is celebrated across
    different traditions. Offerings of food to monks and flowers/incense
    for shrines and temples are also made as signs of respect.

    Dharma Day (Asalha Puja Day) is often celebrated with readings


    from Buddhist scriptures, providing an opportunity to reflect on their
    contents. Collective ritual celebrations in a ceremonial manner are
    also common.

    Sangha Day (Magha Puja Day) is the second most important Buddhist
    festival and celebrates the community of followers of the teachings of
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    Buddha. The Sangha specifically includes those who have left home to
    follow the spiritual path such as monks and nuns, but can also include
    lay followers of the teachings of Buddha. Sangha Day has become a
    prominent festival amongst Western Buddhists and is considered a
    traditional time for the exchange of gifts.

    Visiting a Buddhist Temple


    Remove your shoes. Do not bow to the shrines. Do not bring meat or
    fish products in to the temple.

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    tSeirbhís Tacaíochta agus Forbartha
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    dcu.ie/students

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