BUDDHISM

BUDDHISM
A religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to siddhartha gautama, commonly known as the buddha

Lived and taught in the northeastern indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th centuries bc

Recognized by buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end ignorance of dependent origination

Thus escaping what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth..

Major branches of Buddhism are recognized

Theravada

The School of the Elders A widespread following in sri lanka and southeast asia

Mahayana

The Great Vehicle Found throughout east asia and includes the traditions of pure land,zen,nichiren buddhism,tibetan buddhism, shingon, tiantai(tendai) and shinnyo-en In some classifications vajrayanaa subcategory of mahayana practiced in tibet and mongoliais recognized as a third branch

Estimates of Buddhists worldwide vary significantly depending on the way Buddhist adherence is defined. Lower estimates are between 350500 million.

Life of Buddha

Was born in lumbini in 563BC but was later raised to kalpvastu At the age of 29, he started his spiritual quest and by 35 he was determined to complete this quest Left home and sat for meditation under Bhodi Tree Soon there were many followers and while teaching the path of awakening he died at the age of 80

Indian Buddhism
The history of Indian Buddhism may be divided into five periods Early Buddhism (occasionally called Pre-sectarian Buddhism), Nikaya Buddhism or Sectarian Buddhism: The period of the Early Buddhist schools, Early Mahayana Buddhism, Later Mahayana Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism (also called Vajrayana Buddhism).

Demographics

According to one analysis, buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world Buddhism was the first world religion and was the world's largest religion in the first half of the 20th century, in 1951 buddhism was the world's largest religion with 520 million adherents. At the present time, the teachings of all three branches of buddhism have spread throughout the world, and buddhist texts are increasingly translated into local languages. The west buddhism is often seen as exotic and progressive, in the east it is regarded as familiar and traditional In a number of countries, it is recognized as an official religion and receives state support

BUDDHISM BELIEFS

Refuge in The Three Jewels

THE BUDDHA
-special human being

THE DHAMMA
-code of conduct

THE SANGHA
-a monastic community

Refuge in The Three Jewels

THE BUDDHA
-special human being

THE DHAMMA
-code of conduct

THE SANGHA
-a monastic community

The Noble Eightfold Path

Right View. Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

Right Intention
Resistence to pull of desire Resistence to feeling of anger Not to think or act in a cruel way or agressively

Right Speech

Not to speak lies Not to use words maliciously against others Not to speak words which hurts others To speak truth, and to speak in friendly and warmly manner

Right Action

Not to harm others Not to steal Abstain from sexual misconduct

Right Livelihood
One should earn one's living in righteous way and wealth should be gained legally. Not to deal in :

Weapons Living beings Meat production Poisons,alcohols or drugs

Right Effort

To prevent arising of a unwholesome state To abandon it if already arisen To arouse a wholesome state To maintain that wholesome state

Right Mindfulness
It is the mental ability to see things as they are

Contemplation of body Contemplation of feelings Contemplation of state of mind Contemplation of phenomena

Right Concentration
Concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. It can be done through meditation, yoga and devotion.

Practice
Devotion Yoga Meditation