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Buddhism
Buddhism was founded around 500 BCE (about
2500 years ago) in India. Buddhism spread
throughout Asia, to Japan, Korea, Mongolia,
China, South-East Asia and Sri Lanka. As
Buddhism spread, it changed and developed and
there are now variations. For example, in Japan
people practice Zen Buddhism. According to
Buddhist belief, there have been buddhas before
and there will be buddhas after. So the Buddha we learn about is just the latest
Buddha.
There are around 300 million Buddhists in the world. Some people say that
Buddhism is not a religion but it is a philosophy because it does not exclude other
religions.
Early life
The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama. He was the son of a king in Nepal. He
was married and had a son, as the story goes. He realised that he would never be
happy with this life, so he left his family and became an ascetic. Soon he became
better than his teachers and was dissatisfied. So he set out on his own path.
Buddhist teachings
Buddhism teaches that life is suffering and the cause of all suffering is desire. Basic
Buddhist teachings are divided into the Four Noble truths and the Noble Eightfold
Path.
Four Noble truths:
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Life is suffering.
Suffering is caused by desire.
The way to cure suffering is to stop the desire.
The way to stop desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path
Noble Eightfold Path
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Know and understand the Four Noble Truths
Give up all worldly things and don't harm others
Tell the truth, don't gossip, and don't talk badly about others
Don't commit evil acts, like killing, stealing, or living an unclean life
Work for good and oppose evil
Do rewarding work
Make sure your mind keeps your senses under control
Practice meditation as a way of understanding reality