BUDDHISM
By: Roma Mazumdar
The Buddha Himself
Historians estimate that the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, lived from 566 to 480 B.C. The son of an Indian warrior-king, Gautama led an extravagant life through early adulthood, reveling in the privileges of his social caste. But when he bored of the indulgences of royal life, Gautama wandered into the world in search of understanding. After encountering an old man, an ill man, a corpse and an ascetic, Gautama was convinced that suffering lay at the end of all existence. He renounced his princely title and became a monk, depriving himself of worldly possessions in the hope of comprehending the truth of the world around him. The culmination of his search came while meditating beneath a tree, where he finally understood how to be free from suffering, and ultimately, to achieve salvation. Following this epiphany, Gautama was known as the Buddha, meaning the "Enlightened One." The Buddha spent the remainder of his life journeying about India, teaching others what he had come to understand.
“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it”-Buddha
Historical Causation
Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world. He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty.When this didn’t fulfill him, he promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,” which means existing between two extremes. Thus, he sought a life without social indulgences but also without deprivation. After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual state.
Continuity and Change over time
When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha’s teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism. In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was encouraged. Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. The thoughts and philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers interpreting ideas differently than others. In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country. Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages, forcing Buddhism into the background. Now Buddhism is a major global religion.
Need to Knows for Buddhism
Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god they instead focus on achieving enlightenment (a state of inner peace and wisdom). When followers reach this spiritual level they’re said to have experienced nirvana.
The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary man, but not a god.
The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth.
More than a religion it's a “way of life” or a “spiritual tradition.”
Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle of rebirth) just like the Hinduism religion.
Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples or in their own homes.
Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code of conduct, which includes celibacy.
Types of Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism: Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma, Mahayana Buddhism: Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam, Tibetan Buddhism: Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and northern India
Written Literature- Tipitaka: These texts, known as the “three baskets,” are thought to be the earliest collection of Buddhist writings. Sutras: There are more than 2,000 sutras, which are sacred teachings embraced mainly by Mahayana Buddhists. The Book of the Dead: This Tibetan text describes the stages of death in detail.
The Spread of Buddhism
The 4 Immeasurables
How Buddha is portrayed in China
Social, Political and Environment
Social-Rejecting the caste system and its evils Buddhism preached total equality. It also was an opportunity for women to exercise jobs/tasks in religion.No gender inequality. Safe haven for women
Political- in Japan’s history, Buddhism established itself as a political entity which grew to rival the aristocracy and landowners as a unilateral force to be reckoned with, influencing politics and leadership at the highest level. Economically, politically, and eventually on the battlefield, Buddhist entities developed into a potent political body, influencing the culture of the court as well as the execution of governance.
Interaction with environment- “we can’t separate ourselves from our environment. We can’t live outside of it. We can’t, in fact, live without it. And what we do, learn, and experience manifests in everything we do–most profoundly in how we take care of the environment and one another.” -Buddha