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Buddhism
Leah Fishman
What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religions of about 300 million people around the world. It started about 2,500 years ago when the Buddha himself reached enlightenment. You can be Buddhist and still practice other religions. Buddhism, Buddha, and Buddhist all come from the root word “budhi,” which means to awaken.
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Being awakened is when you find the real meaning of life and pure enlightenment; that’s what Buddha found after years of meditation. Something you will learn in Buddhism is the importance of wisdom, which is developed with compassion and time. Buddhism is about: acceptance and not holding onto things that are unnecessary; not causing yourself pain, starving yourself, or causing undue suffering, and acepting that life is pain and suffering. The concept of Karma is that there is cause and effect to everything you do.
How did Buddhism start?
Before he was called Buddha his real name was Siddhartha, which means the one who’s wishes will be fulfilled. As a boy he lived in India and was raised by his father who was also the king. Siddhartha’s parents belonged to an Indian warrior caste. The king didn’t want his son to learn about the suffering of the world, but soon Siddhartha became aware of this. He didn’t know what to make of it when he saw that everyone dies and everyone will suffer. In efforts to distract his child the king found Siddartha a wife. He was married at age 16, but years later they had their first child, Siddhartha still worried about the answer to the suffering. He knew that he had to leave and become a monk.
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When he reached the edge of his city, Siddartha cut his hair and changed out of his royal robes. He sought understanding, wandering through the forests where he encountered some wise men, of whom he inquired of their wisdom. Siddartha tried many teachings and religions, including some practices like not eating, however he still wasn’t satisfied.
One day after 6 years. Siddhartha sat under a fig tree meditating. As he sat under the tree inner demons tempted him, but he resisted everything they threw at him. After days of meditating he at last reached pure nirvana, a state in which there is no suffering, desire, nor sense of self.
Buddha knew that he must spend the rest of his life sharing the knowledge of what he had learned under the tree. He wandered northeast India teaching all who would listen, establishing tens of thousands of followers. Later, Buddha established an order of monks. After 45 years of teaching he passed away at age 80 and was said to have died in a state of nirvana.
The Dalai lama This name has been heard on radios and read in newspapers by thousands of people across the world. The Dalai Lama has been a very influential person in Tibet’s history, during the 17th century the Dalai Lama was named head of the Tibetan government. He was born on July 6th, 1935 and his full name is Lhamo Dondrub. Dalai lama is a Nobel Peace Price winner., who once said. “When our mind is calm, we're better able to find peace of mind and live a joyful life.” He is a famous public figure who has inspired thousands people. Some people consider him one of the most influential and important people in history. Meditation Meditation is defined as a mind-­‐body technique of clearing and cleansing of the mind by getting rid of distractions and negative energy. Throughout history, Buddhist monks have been performing meditation, which has become a way of forming a peaceful bridge between stress and the world around us. Meditation also sharpens creativity and offers psychological benefits. The goal of Buddhist meditation is to let go of your desires and objects that are the cause of suffering. Meditation is a practice that is also to develop greater wisdom of yourself, the world and others. Imagine being free of all your difficulties and stress and suffering that you experience. It’s hard, right? Lifestyle For the Buddhist community, Buddhism is more of a way of living than a religion. It’s more than just saying prayers, it’s a philosophy that being mindful and compassionate is something that you will apply to everything you do, say or think. It’s not enough to tell ourselves that we should be nice telling ourselves what we should be, feel, and do doesn’t make us become that way. Filling yourself with “should’s” will just make you feel guilty that you will never be exactly what you “think” you should be. You have to be able notice the disadvantages of being self obsessed or self centered and develop compassion for others and have wisdom that it’s not just about you. Buddhists also do morning meditation with prayers practicing the dharma. Lastly, be mindful and take time to review the day.
Principles
Karma shows importance for how we are responsible for past and present decisions. Compassion is qualities of sharing, giving, comfort and concern to others. We can understand others and ourselves through wisdom. True wisdom is not believing what we are told but experiencing and understanding. One of the most important things to follow in Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths: We all experience unhappiness, Our unhappiness is caused by desire, unhappiness can be overcome, and The way to end unhappiness is the middle path
The Eight Fold Path
Right understanding
Right thought
Right speech
Right intention
Right Action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
The five precepts
• Not to take the life of anything living
• Not to take anything not freely given
• Abstain from sexual misconduct and sexual overindulgence
• Avoid intoxication – losing mindfulness
• Refrain from untrue speech
Symbols
A symbol that represents balance is the yin-­‐yang the line that adjoins the two sides represents the middle path
Another symbol is the lotus flower – they grow their roots in muddy ponds, but grow their leaves up toward the sun (this represents that people can move toward enlightenment)
The three jewels, like three protagonists: The Dharma, The Buddha, The Buddhist community
The three fires, like three antagonists: Hatred, Greed, and Ignorance
References
"Buddhism -­‐ Information and Comparisons." Buddhism. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015. <http://data.diffen.com/Buddhism>.
" A Basic Buddhism Guide: 5 Minute Introduction.” N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015. <http://www.buddhanet.net/e-­‐learning/5minbud.htm>.
"A Basic Buddhism Guide: FAQs on Buddhist Culture." A Basic Buddhism Guide: FAQs on Buddhist Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. <http://www.buddhanet.net/e-­‐learning/snapshot03.htm>. "The Buddha, A Film by David Grubin." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 14 May 2015. <http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/>.