Buddhism

Introduction

Buddhism is a religion founded by Lord Buddha on the teachings that explain the intermediary point of life. This is a point that stands between self-indulgence and self- deprivation. The teaching given by Buddha is known as the Noble Eight-Fold Path shows the way humanity is able to achieve enlightenment.

Early life of Gautam Buddha

There is not enough information to draw the outline of the early life that was led by the Buddha. The teachings of Lord Siddhartha were to seclude the soul from the pleasures given by this world. The practical aspects of the teachings were seen at the heart of this young prince from a very tender age.

The practices that defined the class of Khastriyas were to eat meat, hunt animals for pleasure, fight wars, crave lust and rule over society. These standard proceedings of being the son of a ruler were not seen in the Buddha. In spite of the feelings he had towards life, the lord learnt all the basics of being a member of the ruling class.

He learnt to use weapons and ride on the back of horses. The King of Magadh and the father of prince Siddhartha, Suddhodhana made sure that the prince was busy with administrative affairs and other state business. In spite of such measures, the Buddha was just the way he used to be.

Origin of Buddhism

The origin of Buddhism can be traced back to the day when the young prince was going out for a ride on his chariot. In this ride, he noticed the three phases of suffering where a man was on the verge of getting sick due to old age. The second phase was here to show the sickness that gave terrible discomfort to the old man.

In the third phase, he noticed the dead on its way to the creating ground. These phases showed the young prince that nothing in this life is considered to be absolutely permanent. Over the span of several years, the Buddha went to understand the meaning of enlightenment after leaving his family behind.

He meditated under the Bodhi Tree as a way to renunciate his mortal body to achieve nirvana. Six months after this agonising meditation he found enlightenment that was preached as the Noble Eight-Fold Path to his companions.

Beliefs of Buddhism

The followers of Buddhism are known to believe in certain aspects of life that were taught to the disciples years ago. The followers are very recumbent with different aspects of life that cloak the pain shortly. This pain is full of trouble, agony and discomfort that can be removed by achieving enlightenment.

The followers tried to achieve this nirvana by following a discreet path that renounces the use of materials objectified as tools of luxury. In order to sum up the belief of every Buddhist, all of humanity must suffer the pain of life through deep meditation and labour on the grounds of physical and spiritual labour.

Systems of Buddhism

The system of Buddhism operated on the basis of five major principles -

• Avoid the habit of killing animals or any other living being.

• Deter the practice of stealing something despite its worth from someone.

• Stop using derogatory words and abusive tones while conversing with others.

• Practice having consciousness by prohibiting the consumption of alcohol.

• Avoid indulging oneself in conducting sexual misconduct.

These are the systems of Buddhism that are followed by everyone in the religion of Buddhism.

Fall and Revival of Buddhism

There are several factors that led to the fall of Buddhism in India. The fall of Buddhism was due to the rise of Jainism in the country. The North Indian region was subjected to several invasions from West Asian and Turkish rulers that led to religious persecution.

The war destroyed the Nalanda University; Generals from the Khilji Dynasty converted a large mass of Bengal from various religions to Islam which led to the eventual demise. The revival of Buddhism was done by the Mahabodhi Society after it was founded in Calcutta. The society was established by a social reformer whose name is Dr B.R. Ambedkar. This modern society held several points of relevance with the beliefs of religion. These were the reason that led to the rise of Buddhism in India after it declined hundreds of years ago.

Conclusion

The tutorial shows the early life and origin of Buddhism that finally led to the beliefs followed by the Buddhists to date. The teachings were considered to be precious knowledge that was shared with a few companions of the Buddha. These ideas eventually started this religion as seen in the modern era.

FAQs

1. How did prince Siddhartha get the name Gautama?

The name of prince Siddhartha got the name Gautama from his caregiver Mahaprajapati Gautaini. This is a belief that is considered to be legitimate by many experts from the field of history and archaeology. The person who used to care for Gautama Buddha at a very tender age was the sister of the young prince’s mother.

2. Who is the mother of Gautama Buddha?

The mother of Gautama Buddha was Queen Tharu who passed away on the seventh day of the Buddha’s birth. The young prince was then taken care of by his stepmother Mahaprajapati Gautaini. Apart from being the sister of his late mother, she became a stepmother and a wife to king Suddhodana.

3. What are the Three Jewels according to the followers of Buddhism?

The Buddhists seem to believe in three major attributes that are known as the Three Jewels of Buddhism. These three aspects are to have faith in the teachings of the Buddha, the Dharma and the order that follows the knowledge given by the Buddha thousands of years ago.