Classifications
Is this religion Mono/Poly/Henotheistic?
Buddhism can be considered Henotheistic by some yet others believe the religion to be neither henotheistic nor monotheistic. Buddhists do not have any gods.
Buddhism can be considered Henotheistic by some yet others believe the religion to be neither henotheistic nor monotheistic. Buddhists do not have any gods.
Founding Story
How did this religion begin?
Siddhartha Gautama was born a Hindu prince in Northern India around 560 BCE. He could see the Himalayan Mountains from outside his palace window. When he was born, a wise man foretold that if the young prince ever saw human suffering that he would become a religious leader instead of a mighty king. This upset his father who really wanted Siddhartha rule his kingdom. So Siddhartha was never to leave the palace and was surrounded by young, healthy, happy people. One day when he was 29 years old, he snuck out of the palace with his servant, Channa. While outside the palace walls he saw three types of suffering: He saw an old man, struggling to walk. He saw a woman with two sick children. He saw a funeral with a dead body. Seeing these things worried Siddhartha. He asked himself why there was so much suffering in the world. He decided to become a holy man and go off in search of the answer.
Siddhartha Gautama was born a Hindu prince in Northern India around 560 BCE. He could see the Himalayan Mountains from outside his palace window. When he was born, a wise man foretold that if the young prince ever saw human suffering that he would become a religious leader instead of a mighty king. This upset his father who really wanted Siddhartha rule his kingdom. So Siddhartha was never to leave the palace and was surrounded by young, healthy, happy people. One day when he was 29 years old, he snuck out of the palace with his servant, Channa. While outside the palace walls he saw three types of suffering: He saw an old man, struggling to walk. He saw a woman with two sick children. He saw a funeral with a dead body. Seeing these things worried Siddhartha. He asked himself why there was so much suffering in the world. He decided to become a holy man and go off in search of the answer.
Key Figures
Important people to the story
Monks are religious figures in Buddhism. Monks are holy people who live a simple life and dedicate everything to the goal of reaching Nirvana (Enlightenment). The Dalai Lama was a very influential and important monk. Monks are the perfect models for Buddhism. It is even possible for young men to become monks on a temporary basis. Many young men retire for monastery for a short time and live the life of a monk. They shave their heads, don saffron robes, and carry begging bowls. Sometimes boys as young as 4 or 5 put on orange robes and spend a night in a monastery. Monastic ordination, or the ceremonies surrounding a person becoming a monk, even serves as a coming-of-age ritual for many Buddhist boys. In some ways, it resembles the rite of passage (recognizing a young person as an adult) observed in other religions. Boys might spend from a few months to a few years in a monastery, studying Buddhist practices and learning to read and write. But they may, if the choose to do so, take the necessary vows and become regular members of a monastery. |
Religious Authority
Who or what makes the rules?
Buddhist follow many scriptures. Two very important set of rules include The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path. Buddhists believe in Four Noble Truths. These truths guide them as they live their lives. 1. Everyone Suffers. 2. Suffering is caused by desire:people’s greed, hatred and ignorance. 3. People can be freed from suffering! 4. People must overcome their desires by following the 8-fold path. This Path gives eight steps that Buddhists follow to live a correct, moral life. 1. know the truth. 2. Say nothing to hurt others. 3. Practice meditation. 4. Control your thoughts. 5. Resist evil. 6. Free your mind of evil. 7. Work for the good of others. 8. Respect life.
Buddhist follow many scriptures. Two very important set of rules include The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path. Buddhists believe in Four Noble Truths. These truths guide them as they live their lives. 1. Everyone Suffers. 2. Suffering is caused by desire:people’s greed, hatred and ignorance. 3. People can be freed from suffering! 4. People must overcome their desires by following the 8-fold path. This Path gives eight steps that Buddhists follow to live a correct, moral life. 1. know the truth. 2. Say nothing to hurt others. 3. Practice meditation. 4. Control your thoughts. 5. Resist evil. 6. Free your mind of evil. 7. Work for the good of others. 8. Respect life.
Core Beliefs
Goals. Goals of the religion
Buddhism teaches that living is suffering. It also teaches that people are reborn many times into lives of suffering. People suffer because they desire, or feel attached to, the things of this world. They can escape suffering by putting a stop to their desire and attachment. Buddhism presents a way to reach this difficult goal. The Buddhist path includes clear thinking, good conduct, honorable work, and meditation. By following this path, Buddhist hope to reach enlightenment. Those who succeed become part of the world beyond thought of nirvana. Those who fail are born into a new body after they die and must live another life of suffering. According to Buddhism, people keep being reborn until they become enlightened.
Buddhism teaches that living is suffering. It also teaches that people are reborn many times into lives of suffering. People suffer because they desire, or feel attached to, the things of this world. They can escape suffering by putting a stop to their desire and attachment. Buddhism presents a way to reach this difficult goal. The Buddhist path includes clear thinking, good conduct, honorable work, and meditation. By following this path, Buddhist hope to reach enlightenment. Those who succeed become part of the world beyond thought of nirvana. Those who fail are born into a new body after they die and must live another life of suffering. According to Buddhism, people keep being reborn until they become enlightened.
Beliefs about the afterlife
Buddhist believe that The Buddha learned why there is suffering in the world and how to overcome it. They believe that if they follow his teachings, they too will be able to overcome suffering and become Enlightened. Like Hindus, Buddhist believe in reincarnation. They believe that everyone lives many lives. This cycle of birth and rebirth is called samsara. The quality of your next life depends on your karma.
Buddhist believe that The Buddha learned why there is suffering in the world and how to overcome it. They believe that if they follow his teachings, they too will be able to overcome suffering and become Enlightened. Like Hindus, Buddhist believe in reincarnation. They believe that everyone lives many lives. This cycle of birth and rebirth is called samsara. The quality of your next life depends on your karma.
Rules/guidelines for daily life
Rules Buddhist follow are The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path. Of special interest are rules concerning right conduct. These rules are based on what Buddhists call the Five Precepts or Five Moral Rules. (A precept is a rule of action or behavior.) These precepts are not to kill any living thing, not to steal, not to lie, to avoid alcohol, and not to engage in improper sexual activity. Buddhists who are studying to become monks and nuns must follow five additional precepts in which they agree not to: eat anything after the noon hour; wear any jewelry or ornament; sleep on a soft bed; participate in or enjoy any kind of entertainment; or use money.
Rules Buddhist follow are The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path. Of special interest are rules concerning right conduct. These rules are based on what Buddhists call the Five Precepts or Five Moral Rules. (A precept is a rule of action or behavior.) These precepts are not to kill any living thing, not to steal, not to lie, to avoid alcohol, and not to engage in improper sexual activity. Buddhists who are studying to become monks and nuns must follow five additional precepts in which they agree not to: eat anything after the noon hour; wear any jewelry or ornament; sleep on a soft bed; participate in or enjoy any kind of entertainment; or use money.
Concept of higher power
They don't have a concept of higher power.
They don't have a concept of higher power.
Key Holidays
Some holy days for Buddhism are Losar, Sangha Day, Parinirvana, and Wesak are important days for Buddhist. Losar day is important because it celebrates the Tibetan new year. Is celebrated in February but the date varies each year to the lunar calendar. Is a three day festival. The first day celebrates family, the second day/ third day celebrates the time to visit and exchange gifts with friends and distant relatives. Sangha Day is the second most important festival. It is the celebration of Sangha the Buddhist community. For some Buddhists Sangha refers only to monks and nuns. Is a chance to reaffirm their commitment to Buddhist practices and traditions. Parinirvana marks the death of the Buddha, also is Nirvana Day. Buddhist celebrate the death of Buddha because they believe that having attained enlightenment he achieved the freedom from physical existence and his sufferings. Wesak is the most important Buddhist festival. It is celebrated annually of the full moon of the ancient lunar month Vesakha. It commemorates the birth of the Buddha-to-be Siddhattha Gotama. His Enlightenment at the age of 35 when he became the Buddha and his final passing to Nirvana at the age of 80, no more to be reborn.
Some holy days for Buddhism are Losar, Sangha Day, Parinirvana, and Wesak are important days for Buddhist. Losar day is important because it celebrates the Tibetan new year. Is celebrated in February but the date varies each year to the lunar calendar. Is a three day festival. The first day celebrates family, the second day/ third day celebrates the time to visit and exchange gifts with friends and distant relatives. Sangha Day is the second most important festival. It is the celebration of Sangha the Buddhist community. For some Buddhists Sangha refers only to monks and nuns. Is a chance to reaffirm their commitment to Buddhist practices and traditions. Parinirvana marks the death of the Buddha, also is Nirvana Day. Buddhist celebrate the death of Buddha because they believe that having attained enlightenment he achieved the freedom from physical existence and his sufferings. Wesak is the most important Buddhist festival. It is celebrated annually of the full moon of the ancient lunar month Vesakha. It commemorates the birth of the Buddha-to-be Siddhattha Gotama. His Enlightenment at the age of 35 when he became the Buddha and his final passing to Nirvana at the age of 80, no more to be reborn.
Sites and Symbols
Sects and Branches
Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada (conservatives) and Mahayana (Liberals). Both Theravada Buddhists and Mahayana Buddhist seek release from endless rebirth and believe in the goal of enlightenment. Both agree that a way of living called Buddha’s “Eightfold Path” is the way to reach enlightenment. Both believe in the law of karma. The disagreement between these two schools is a matter of emphasis and centers on the Buddha himself. Mahayana Buddhists see Buddha as a saint. They point out that Buddha not only became enlightened but also came back as a saint to help others. Mahayana Buddhist believe that people can get help from Buddha and from other Boddhisatvas through prayers and rituals. In the Theravada school of thought, Buddha is seen as a model who showed the way. But they don’t get help from Buddha or other saints. To become enlightened, people have to live and do exactly as Buddha did. The ancient Buddhist scriptures are of special of importance. They show exactly what Buddha thought. Mahayana Buddhism is very much a part of everyday life for its practitioners. For Theravada Buddhists, however, religion is a full-time occupation.