Buddhism: History, Beliefs, and Practices

Historical Background

The origin of Buddhism was a founder, Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, who was born in Lumbini (in present-day Nepal) during the 5th century BCE.

Basic Belief System

One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation, the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death, and rebirth.

The Four Noble Truths

• Dukkha: Suffering exists, is real, and almost universal.
• Samudaya: There is a cause of suffering; people desire worldly things and self-satisfaction.
• Nirodha: There is an end to suffering, which is to stop desiring things.
• Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path

1. Know and understand the Four Noble Truths.
2. Give up worldly things and do not harm others.
3. Tell the truth, do not gossip, and do not speak badly of others.
4. Do not commit evil acts, like killing, stealing, or living an unclean life.
5. Do rewarding work.
6. Work for good and oppose evil.
7. Make sure your mind keeps your senses under control.
8. Practice meditation as a way of understanding reality.

Historical Texts

The History of the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was born into royalty. He had a very good life; he had everything. One day he got out of the palace, he saw horrible things, and he left the palace forever to become the enlightened Buddha.

Key Leaders

• The Buddha (563 B.C. - 483 B.C.): The fully enlightened Buddha, the Buddha of our time. Historically, the founder of Buddhism, but to Buddhists, he is considered the person who rediscovered the teachings after they had died out.
• Hotei (830 A.D. - 902 A.D.): A Chinese monk from the Chan school (precursor to Zen). Many people confuse him as THE Buddha, when in fact, he was a Buddhist monk. He may have been a Buddha, such as an Arahant (enlightened), but not THE Buddha of our time.

Sacred Places

Buddhists go on pilgrimages to places associated with Buddha's life. These places include his birthplace, Lumbini Grove; the place of enlightenment, Bodh Gaya; the place of his first sermon, Sarnath; and the place he died, Kusinara.

Buddhism has approximately 470 million adherents across the globe. It represents a major component of the spiritual heritage of East and Southeast Asia. The two main branches of Buddhism are Mahayana and Theravada.