Religion of the Buddhist

Prince Siddhartha Gautama: The Buddha

 

Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born sometime between 560 BC and 380 BC, according to various historians, and they regard his birthplace as Kapilavastu (present-day Nepal). His history is sketchy and uncertain, but the scholars of the late 20th century (AD) date his death around 400 BC. Gautama was born into a royal Hindu family. His father was King Śuddhodana , ruler of the Shakya clan, and his mother was Queen Maha Maya, a Koliyan princess. The word Buddha is a title for the first "enlightened one" in an era and initially attributed to Gautama. In most Buddhist traditions, Siddhartha Guatama is considered the Supreme Buddha. He was the founder of the Buddhist religion and taught a Middle Way compared to the severe asceticism found in the Shramana (renunciation) movement common in the Indian Subcontinent during ancient times. He later taught throughout regions of eastern India such as Magadha and Kosala. Even though the exact date is elusive, the day of the Buddha's birth is widely recognized and celebrated in Theravada countries.

 

For more information about Prince Siddhartha Gautama, please visit: Gautama Buddha

The Basics of Buddhism

 



Gautama is the ultimate and primary figure in Buddhism. The accounts of his life, commentaries, and monastic rules are believed by Buddhists to have been compiled after his death and memorized by his followers. The various anthologies of teachings attributed to him were passed down by oral tradition, and first committed to writing about 400 years later. The primary teachings of Buddhism are the "Four Great Truths", the "Eightfold Path" and the "Five Precepts". Within these teachings are the Buddhist doctrines of suffering (dukkha), the five aggregates of being (skandhas), no-self (anatta, shunyata), ethics, karma, rebirth, enlightenment and Nirvana.

  

The following excerpt is from "Who's ? Right: Mankind, Religions & The End Times":

"Buddhism is the polytheistic religion developed in India during the final centuries of the B. C. era and was adapted from Hinduism. Buddha (historically known as Prince Siddhartha) founded the church doctrine in the 4th century B.C. His teachings, Four Great Truths, inferred the idea of the world being evil and only complete separation from worldliness led toward absolute divine being. Reincarnation is recognized and accepted in the hope that their consecutive reincarnations will be met on a higher level.

There are various sects of Buddhism that differ essentially. Some believe virtuous life and serious thinking is sufficient. Others maintain meditation develops supernatural powers. Still other factions believe supernatural intervention is needed to aid mankind, otherwise a virtuous life and meditation won’t help.

The Tibetan Buddhist recognizes the Dalai Lama as the religious organization's spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama, who is reputed to be the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama and all his magistrates tracing back to 1391 A.D., was considered the “head of government” to the Tibetan people from the 17th century until 1959 when the People’s Republic of China took full control.

 The Dalai Lama fled to India and has since surrendered temporal power to the elected government-in-exile. The historic development of Buddhism ranges from an abstract philosophical system, which gained great influence in Europe in the early part of the A.D. era, to the crudest forms of superstition.

The difference between Buddhism and the Western God-fearing gospels is in its lack of a personal god and a religious creed. The majority of Buddhism followers can be found in China, Burma, Japan, Tibet and Ceylon."   

 

Painting of the first sermon depicted at Wat Chedi Liem in Thailand.