Table of Contents Buddhism 3 Christianity 4 Confucianism 5 Hinduism 6 Islam 7 Judaism 8 Sikhism 9 Taoism 10 References 11 Buddhism Buddhism is the 4th largest religion in the world. It is now practiced in Asia and primarily China. Buddhism was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha was born a prince near the Himalayas in the Sakyas Clan; his dad was the king of this clan. Siddhartha Gautama was raised Hindu and believed in reincarnation.
The term ‘religion’ is “perhaps not a very good term to use in connection with Buddhism since it recognizes no God” (Zaehner). Buddha taught over 84,000 teachings (Gyasto). The word ‘Buddha’ means “Awakened One.” When someone is awakened or enlightened, then they have became a Buddha; someone who is completely “free from all faults and mental obstructions”
Buddhism was the main inspiration for art in the region, and the most important Buddhist structures were created between the first and second century BCE. Such as the Great Stupa of Sanchi, except it was built in the third century. The Great Stupa was not a tomb, however it was a monument. It is said to be that out of all of the early Indian monuments, none of them compare to the ultimate and most famous Great Stupa of Sanchi. Located at Sanchi, Central India it is admired by all.
In other words, to put it in Zen terminology, he had the first koan in existence: “Why is there misery in the world? Why is there suffering? How do I get out of it?” He was trying to escape from life instead of accepting that life exists and being able to rise above it. In trying to escape from it, He could find nothing; in accepting it, He found all. His koan is the same koan, which we dress up in various ways, that every one of us brings to Zen training; “How can I escape living?
Destiny - In the Buddhist Worldview, our destiny is not controlled by God but, by us. Actions we take and decisions we make determine if we have good or bad karma. When we go through the cycle of reincarnation, it is karma that determines who we become when we are reborn. If Karma attaches itself to us, we are reborn as any living thing. If we have rid ourselves of all suffering, there will be nothing to attach to, and we will go into Nirvana at death, which is the ultimate goal of a Buddhist.
BUDDHISM CHALLENGING THE BELIEFS OF VEDIC RELIGIONS In the dawn of early human civilizations and religions, one religion was rising to top all the other based on its beliefs. Siddharta Gautama started the religion out of northern India to free himself of a “dusty” life. The religion was called Buddhism and was founded around 520 B.C.E. and started a “war of the religions” to gain more followers, and would eventually become the 4th largest religion in the world. Buddhism made a large dispute to the beliefs of Vedic religions because was no caste system to separate social classes, everyone could reach enlightenment or nirvana, not only the royal Brahmins, and people believed that the ability to rid yourself of a selfish/sorrowful life was inside of yourself as long as you follow the middle or eightfold path.
It must be learned only for oneself. Siddhartha also asks the Buddha who taught him and what he has learned and how he came to be so enlightened. The Buddha had no teacher himself, and his knowledge came through meditating and experiencing the world. This is the knowledge that Siddhartha wishes to have. The Buddha sends his blessing and hopes that Siddhartha has chosen wisely by refusing to escape from suffering and by choosing his own path.
He was born in Nepal, practiced Asceticism, and ate only one grain of rice per day. He nearly died, and six years later after much meditation he found enlightenment. In the year 247 BC Asoka’s son and a missionary named Mahinda established Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The third Buddhist Council was held. At the time, Asoka was still Emperor.
Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Buddha, or the Enlightened One is the founder of Buddhism. Gautama was born of a privileged life and kept away from the suffering that plagued the human race for much of his life. After he witnessed human suffering, he departed on a quest to find a way to understand and deal with the suffering in the world; Buddha called this answer to the problem of suffering as enlightenment. After leaving his family and his life of luxury behind, Buddha discovered what came to be known as the Four Noble Truths. According to Buddha, the Four Noble Truths explained why suffering exists, and how it could be eliminated (Moore & Bruder, 2008).
The activities used to find one’s self was to demonstrate not breathing, standing completely still, and silencing all of your thoughts and one must complete other obstacles that includes not participating in any violence or anything that would be considered as selfish in order to enter a state of nothingness that’s supposed to be calm and exciting(35). Thurman also gives insight on how yogis practiced their rituals to enter the state of nothingness and he gives examples on how you won’t last in that state of nothingness forever. He explained how being in a state of nothingness won’t last because you could never become nothing (462). Being nothing is impossible because a person will always