How did Buddhism begin?
Buddhism is a religion that started in India around the fifth century BCE. Buddhism is one of the many religious practices. This religion was practiced by approximately 350 million people through out the world. Most of the people that practiced this religion were in Asia, but Buddhism continues to have a strong influence in many areas. Buddhism is one of the religions that started because of the customs of human sacrifice. Buddhism is similar to other religions, because its religion started with one amazing person. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, in response to the human sacrifices.
What are the main beliefs of Buddhism?
The religion focuses on the four noble truths and the eightfold path. The four noble truths represent suffering, desire and hope. The eightfold path serves as the rules for a good life; these rules are understanding, thought or intention, speech, action, livelihood, mindfulness, and concentration in the mind and body. Following these basic rules of the eightfold path is rewarded by obtaining the ulitamite goal.
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism and how is it achieved?
Since the people that follow the religion use the eightfold path, they have rules to follow to get to a certain goal. The goal of the eightfold path is to stop all passion, aggression, and ignorance. Also, to stop proving that we are good and deserve to survive. Buddhist teachings show the need to stop changing things to be what we want them to be, but instead accepting things how they are. The ultimate goal is to reach nirvana, which is the freedom from desire.
How do they practice/worship?
First they have to worship the Buddha or other buddhas, bodhisattvas, or saints. This involves showing respect and meditating on the qualities of the Buddha, or giving gifts. Gifts are given to the remains of the Buddha. These gifts are sometimes given to images made to represent the Buddha, and to other traces of his presence, such as places where his footprint can supposedly be seen. The second basic practice is the exchange that takes place between monks and laypersons. Like the Buddha himself, the monks represent the higher levels of spiritual achievement, which they make available in many ways to the believers. The believers improve their logical condition by giving the monks material gifts that function as sacrificial offerings.
What rules do people follow that are unique to Buddhism?
All religions have the common rules like no stealing and no killing etc. Believers of traditional Buddhism have to except the four noble truths and the eightfold path. Mediatation is also a big part of the religion. Practices of Buddhism around the world are loosely followed rather than other religions that have a strict guideline. All followers of Buddhism want to reach nirvana so they want to follow the basic guidelines of the eightfold path. Since the eightfold path is just basic ideas, it is up to the follower of Buddhism to determine what is acceptable to reach nirvana.
How do they pray?
Buddhism has three main parts. These parts are called the three jewels. The three jewels are: the Buddha, also known as the teacher; the dharma, or the teaching; and sangha, or the community of believers. Buddhist monks think that the three jewels protect them. The followers of Buddhism do not directly pray to a God, but they do meditate to seek enlightenment. Seeking enlightenment is a major step in reaching nirvana.
Are there religious leaders for Buddhism? What are they called and what do they do?
Buddhism was founded by Siddharta Gautam, and the religion developed into different practices. Each practice uses saints and monks as spirtual guides. The monks have reached nirvana and they want to help others reach it as well. The believers also use the Buddha as the main religious leader. He is the central figure of the religion. The Buddha represtents life of the Buddha, including his birth, enlightenment, and passage into nirvana.
Buddhism is a religion that started in India around the fifth century BCE. Buddhism is one of the many religious practices. This religion was practiced by approximately 350 million people through out the world. Most of the people that practiced this religion were in Asia, but Buddhism continues to have a strong influence in many areas. Buddhism is one of the religions that started because of the customs of human sacrifice. Buddhism is similar to other religions, because its religion started with one amazing person. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, in response to the human sacrifices.
What are the main beliefs of Buddhism?
The religion focuses on the four noble truths and the eightfold path. The four noble truths represent suffering, desire and hope. The eightfold path serves as the rules for a good life; these rules are understanding, thought or intention, speech, action, livelihood, mindfulness, and concentration in the mind and body. Following these basic rules of the eightfold path is rewarded by obtaining the ulitamite goal.
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism and how is it achieved?
Since the people that follow the religion use the eightfold path, they have rules to follow to get to a certain goal. The goal of the eightfold path is to stop all passion, aggression, and ignorance. Also, to stop proving that we are good and deserve to survive. Buddhist teachings show the need to stop changing things to be what we want them to be, but instead accepting things how they are. The ultimate goal is to reach nirvana, which is the freedom from desire.
How do they practice/worship?
First they have to worship the Buddha or other buddhas, bodhisattvas, or saints. This involves showing respect and meditating on the qualities of the Buddha, or giving gifts. Gifts are given to the remains of the Buddha. These gifts are sometimes given to images made to represent the Buddha, and to other traces of his presence, such as places where his footprint can supposedly be seen. The second basic practice is the exchange that takes place between monks and laypersons. Like the Buddha himself, the monks represent the higher levels of spiritual achievement, which they make available in many ways to the believers. The believers improve their logical condition by giving the monks material gifts that function as sacrificial offerings.
What rules do people follow that are unique to Buddhism?
All religions have the common rules like no stealing and no killing etc. Believers of traditional Buddhism have to except the four noble truths and the eightfold path. Mediatation is also a big part of the religion. Practices of Buddhism around the world are loosely followed rather than other religions that have a strict guideline. All followers of Buddhism want to reach nirvana so they want to follow the basic guidelines of the eightfold path. Since the eightfold path is just basic ideas, it is up to the follower of Buddhism to determine what is acceptable to reach nirvana.
How do they pray?
Buddhism has three main parts. These parts are called the three jewels. The three jewels are: the Buddha, also known as the teacher; the dharma, or the teaching; and sangha, or the community of believers. Buddhist monks think that the three jewels protect them. The followers of Buddhism do not directly pray to a God, but they do meditate to seek enlightenment. Seeking enlightenment is a major step in reaching nirvana.
Are there religious leaders for Buddhism? What are they called and what do they do?
Buddhism was founded by Siddharta Gautam, and the religion developed into different practices. Each practice uses saints and monks as spirtual guides. The monks have reached nirvana and they want to help others reach it as well. The believers also use the Buddha as the main religious leader. He is the central figure of the religion. The Buddha represtents life of the Buddha, including his birth, enlightenment, and passage into nirvana.