Buddhism
This faith traces its roots back about 2,500 years, to the teachings of the Buddha, or awakened one in Sanskrit.
Buddhism is non-dogmatic and rational in nature, with no single authority, sacred book or unique creed. The faith instead focuses on individuals who seek enlightenment instead of deity worship.
There is a strong history of personal spiritual development within the faith. Buddhists seek a deeper understanding of life, with the belief that everything in the universe is temporary and changing.
Existence is painful, according to Buddhist belief, and a key to easing the suffering is to realize the self is a delusion of permanence.
The goal of Buddhist practice is to transcend this delusion and to achieve enlightenment.
History
Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in India sometime between the sixth and fourth centuries BC, was the historical figure referred to today as the Buddha.
A prince with luxurious surroundings, Siddhartha was sheltered by his father from the outside world and its suffering, including from sickness and death.
By 29, he was married, had a son, and was on his way to becoming a king. Suspecting that his material comfort was not the only aim in life, Siddhartha left the confines of the palace.
The Buddha's awareness led him on a spiritual journey, where he sought to escape the suffering of the world. He tried meditation and ascetic self-denial, but found no answers — only hunger and more suffering.
It was only after meditating under a tree that he found enlightenment, sometimes expressed through the Four Noble Truths.
Today, there are almost 400 million Buddhists practising around the world.
Beliefs
In Buddhist tradition, there is no omnipotent God. The faith instead focuses on individuals who seek enlightenment and the key insight that nothing in life permanently exists.
An unawakened person spends a great deal of time in pursuit of temporary things — such as social status and material goods, Buddhists believe.
Egotism, greed and selfishness, therefore, are preventing humans from living an enlightened life. Buddhists believe each leads to endless suffering.
Key beliefs and values are contained in Buddha's "Four Noble Truths", which can be summarized as:
- Dukkha: Life means suffering. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.
- Samudaya: The origin of suffering is attachment. The desire to have and control things can take many forms: craving sensual pleasures; desiring fame; aiming to avoid unpleasant sensations such as fear, anger or jealousy.
- Nirodha: The cessation of suffering is attainable. Suffering ceases with the final liberation of nirvana, when the mind experiences complete freedom and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.
- Magga: The path to the cessation of suffering. The eightfold path is to practice the Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
One fundamental Buddhist belief involves reincarnation, that is, the belief that humans go through many cycles of birth, living, and death. After many such cycles, if people release their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain nirvana, which is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.
Variations
- Theravada/Southern Buddhism: This variation focuses primarily on meditation. Compared to Mahayana or Tibetan Buddhism, it is closer to ancient Buddhism. Southern Buddhism is practiced by 100 million people in places including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos.
- Mahayana or Eastern Buddhism: These scriptures are very diverse. It has co-existed with Confucianism and Taoism. It is largely found in Korea, China, Japan, Tibet and Mongolia. It is practiced by hundreds of millions of people.
- Tibetan or Northern Buddhism: This outlook is broadly Mahayana, and is oriented towards Tantric Buddhism. It is followed by up to 20 million people in Tibet and Mongolia and in parts of Nepal and Himalayan India.
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