What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is one of the world's largest
religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India It was founded by the sage
Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE). Buddhism is a religion
that is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The main principles of
this belief system are karma, rebirth, and impermanence.
Buddhism is a non-theistic religion (no belief
in a creator god), Buddhism, also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharma Vinaya, is
an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to
the Buddha. Originated in northern India in the 5th century. Buddhism is a path
of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature
of reality.
Buddhists believe that the human life is one
of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good
behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana. Buddhism is often
referred to as reincarnation , the concept that people are reborn after death.
Buddhists worship at temples or monasteries,
where they meditate and pray.
The three Buddhist deities Vajrapāṇi, Mañjuśrī
and Avalokiteśvara.
The Five Precepts
1.
Refrain from taking
life. (No killing)
2.
Refrain from taking
what is not given. ( No stealing)
3.
Refrain from the
misuse of the senses.
4.
Refrain from wrong
speech.
5.
Refrain from
intoxicants.
A Buddhist diet is fruits, vegetables, nuts,
seeds, whole grains, legumes, and beans. In Buddhism avoid eating 10 kinds of
meat for self-respect and protection: humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes,
lions, tigers, boars and hyenas. Buddhists diet not eat onions, garlic, chives,
green onions and leeks.
There are three types of chivara: the inner
robe (Pali: antaravasaka), made of 5 strips of cloth; the outer robe
(uttarasanga), made of 7 strips; and the great robe, or cloak (samghati), made
of 9, 15, or 25 strips.
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA BUDDHA (566 bc - 486 bc)
Buddhism is one of the major religions in the world. It began around 2,500 years ago in India when Siddhartha Gautama discovered how to bring happiness into the world.
The main goals of Buddhism are getting to know ourselves and learning the Buddha's teachings. To know who we are, we need to understand that we have two natures. One is called our ordinary nature, which is made up of unpleasant feelings such as fear, anger, and jealousy. The other is our true nature, the part of us that is pure, wise, and perfect. In Buddhism, it is called the Buddha nature. The only difference between us and the Buddha is that we have not awakened to our true nature.
Sixth century B.C. was an important era for the Indian history.624 B.C. A small country ruled by a clan called the Shakyas.The king of this country, was Shuddodana Gautama. He had two queens: the chief queen was Mahamaya and the younger queen was Mahapajapata Gotami, the sister of Mahamaya. When Mahamaya was traveling from Kapilavasthu, the capital, to Devadaha, her parents‘ home, to have her first child, she gave birth along the way to a son under a large sala tree in the Lumbini grove on the full moon day of Vesakha (month of April-May). An old sage, Asita, visited the palace, and on seeing the marks of greatness (mahapurisa lakkhana) in the child,
In the name-giving ceremony the boy was given the name ‗Siddhattha‘, (Siddhartha), meaning one whose aim is accomplished. few days after the birth, Queen Mahamaya passed away and the young Siddhattha Gautama (Gautama being his family name) was then raised by his stepmother Mahapajapata Gotami
Soon after Prince Siddhartha was born, the wise men predicted that he would become a Buddha. When the king heard this, he was deeply disturbed, for he wanted his son to become a mighty ruler.
At the age of sixteen, Prince Siddhartha married princess, Yasodhara. The king built them three palaces, one for each season, and lavished them with luxuries. The Boddhisatta prince grew up in great comfort and luxury, Suddhodhana gave orders for the construction of three golden palaces named Ramma, Suramma and Subha ,which were specially designed to suit different weather conditions.
