Buddhism Basics

Study Notes

Buddhism

Buddhism originated in India around 2,500 years ago and is the fourth-largest religion in the world.

The Buddha

The word "Buddha" means "the enlightened one" or "the one who knows".
Buddhists do not believe in a God who created the world and everything in it.
The Buddha was a man named Siddhartha Gautama (or Siddattha Gotama) who was born in northern India (modern-day Nepal).
Siddhartha lived as a prince and was protected from the sadness and suffering of life by his father, the king.
At the age of 35, Siddhartha sat under a bodhi tree by a full moon, meditating, and became Enlightened.

The Buddha's Teachings

The Buddha's teachings are known as dharma.
The Four Noble Truths are:
- Life always involves suffering (dukkha).
- Suffering happens because people are greedy and not satisfied with what they have.
- Greed and selfishness can be overcome.
- The way to overcome them is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path is a way of life that includes:
- Right viewpoint (accepting the Buddha's teachings)
- Right values/thought (using the power of the mind in the right way)
- Right speech (making sure that your words are kind and helpful)
- Right actions (treating yourself and others well)
- Right livelihood (having a job that does not harm others)
- Right effort (doing good things and avoiding bad things)
- Right mindfulness (training the mind to see things in the right way)
- Right meditation (learning to concentrate and calm the mind)

Buddhist Practices

Meditation is a very important part of Buddhism, used to calm and clear the mind.
People show their love of Buddha by meditating, lighting candles, and making offerings of flowers and incense.
Buddhists worship at shrines at home and in temples and monasteries (viharas).
Some Buddhists chant mantras or sacred words as part of their meditation.
Some Buddhists write mantras and prayers on coloured prayer flags or prayer wheels in temples.

Buddhist Monks and Nuns

Some Buddhists choose to leave their families and live as monks (if they are men) or nuns (if they are women) and dedicate their lives to sharing the Buddha's teachings.
Buddhist monks and nuns wear orange robes and shave their heads.
In some Buddhist countries, it is common for boys to spend a few months or years living as monks when they are growing up.

Description

Learn about the origins of Buddhism, its beliefs, and the life of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. Discover the core principles of this ancient religion practiced by millions worldwide.