Buddhism:An Introduction - Dr Veenus jain

Buddhism

Buddhism began in India during late 500 BCE from the teachings of a prince named Siddhartha Gautama who later came to be known as Gautama Buddha, meaning ‘enlightened one’. The religion is based upon the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam, born in circa 563 BCE.At the age of 29, Gautama left home and rejected his life of riches and embraced a lifestyle of asceticism, or extreme self-discipline.

After 49 consecutive days of meditation, Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya a village in Bihar. Buddha gave his first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near the city of Benares in UP. This event is known as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law).

He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at a place called Kushinagara a town in UP. The event is known as Mahaparinibban.

Four noble truths:

1. Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.

2. Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.

3. Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha.

4. It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eight Fold Path).

The Eightfold Path consists of the following understandings and practices:

1. Right Understanding: knowledge that the Four Noble Truthslead to overcoming dukkha

2. Right Thought: a genuine wish to break free from desire

3. Right Speech: controlling one’s speech so that it does not harmothers. Buddhists will avoid lying or gossip

4. Right Action: avoiding actions that are harmful to oneself or anyother living creature

5. Right Livelihood: earning a living in a way that does not causeharm or suffering to others. This involves avoiding professionsthat create or distribute weapons, that promote intoxication, orthat involve the slaughter of animals

6. Right Effort: paying attention continually to one’s lifestyle

7. Right Mindfulness: constant awareness about the effects ofone’s actions so as to avoid causing harm

8. Right Concentration: attaining serenity by cultivating the mindthrough meditation

The three Pitakas

1. Suttapitaka (5 books)

2. Vinayapitaka (5 books)

3. Dharmapitaka (6 books)

Schools of Buddhism

Mahayana

Hinayana

Theravada

Zen

Vajrayana

Buddhist Councils

First Council

Second Council

Third Council

Forth Council

#Buddhism #EightFoldPath #HinayanMahayanVajrayanZen