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Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the world’s main religions, though it is
often described as more of a philosophy than a religion. It is followed by about
350 million people around the world, which makes it the world's fourth largest.
Buddhism is based based on the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama.
Siddhartha is commonly known as The Buddha. He lived 2500 years ago, from
approximately 557 B.C. to 477 B.C. The word "Buddha" means a Supremely
Enlightened One or Fully Awakened One who has come to the realization of the
ultimate truth. The Buddha was not a god, and he did not claim to be. He was a
man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.
Buddhist teachings can be summed up with its Four Noble
Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
The Four Noble Truths
The Buddha taught that in life there exists sorrow and suffering which is
caused by desire. This suffering, caused by desire, can be eliminated by
following the Noble Eightfold Path. This teaching is called the "Four Noble
Truths".
- Suffering: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is
suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering;
separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is
suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.
- The cause of suffering: The desire which leads to renewed existence
(rebirth)
- The cessation of suffering: The cessation of desire.
- The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The Noble Eightfold
Path.
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The Noble Eightfold Path
The eight concepts of the Noble Eightfold Path fall into three
categories: wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.
- 1. Right view
- 2. Right intention
- 3. Right speech
- 4. Right action
- 5. Right livelihood
- 6. Right effort
- 7. Right mindfulness
- 8. Right concentration
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Karma
Karma is the law that every cause has an effect -- our actions
have results. This simple law explains a number of things: inequality in the
world, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why some live only a short
life. Karma underlines the importance of all individuals being responsible for
their past and present actions. How can we test the karmic effect of our
actions? The answer is summed up by looking at (1) the intention behind the
action, (2) effects of the action on oneself, and (3) the effects on others.
Source
Buddhism Resources
Buddhism at
Wikipedia
Buddhism and Religious Tolerance
BuddhaNet
Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism.org
BuddhaWeb
Buddhism eBooks
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