The History of Buddhism
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.
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 creator God.
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 creator God.
What are the symbols of Buddhism?
The wheel of life which symbolises the cycle of life, death and rebirth.The eight spokes remind people that the Buddha taught about eight ways of life.
The lotus flower symbolises 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. Any of these symbols can be used on statues. For example the Buddha is often shown with:
The wheel of life which symbolises the cycle of life, death and rebirth.The eight spokes remind people that the Buddha taught about eight ways of life.
The lotus flower symbolises 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. Any of these symbols can be used on statues. For example the Buddha is often shown with:
- a round mark on his forehead, which is his third eye - a symbol to show that he could see things ordinary people cannot see.
- a bump on on the top of his head - a symbol that he had special talents
- curled hair (the curls are actually snails that kindly covered his head-shaved because he renounced the worldly life- to protect him from the sun as he sat meditating.) The are a symbol that he was a very holy man.
- long ears from the weight of his princely earrings-now missing because he renounced his worldly life. (Sidhartha didn't just give up being rich, but also, renounced being head of an army as a prince, which shows his non-violence.)
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.
Buddhist Temples in Thailand
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.
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.
Buddhist Temples in Thailand
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 do Buddhist believe?
Buddhist believe 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.
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.
Buddhist believe 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.
- Belief in Buddha
- Dharma - The teaching of Buddha
- The Sangha - the Buddhist community made up of ordinary people as well as the monks and nuns. The purpose is to help others and by doing so to cease to become selfish and to move on the way towards enlightenment.
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 are the ways that the Buddha used to describe life.
These are the :
- Three Signs of Beings
- Four Noble Truths
- Noble Eightfold Path
The Three Signs of Being are the ways that the Buddha used to describe life.
- Nothing in life is perfect. ( dukkha) It includes things like being bored and uncomfortable, and everything which is not satisfactory.
- Everything in life - even solid things such as mountains - is changing, all the time.
(anicca) - There is no soul. (anatta) Instead, the Buddha taught, what does carry on to the next life is a person's life force (Karma). The Karma can be good or bad, depending on how the person lives in this life.
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
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