Basic
to the beliefs of all forms of Buddhism is the dignity and worth
of each living being, respect and compassion for all life, and
the need for each person to find his or her own path to enlightenment,
through an understanding of one's self and the practice of compassionate
regard for all others.
Buddhism
was founded by Siddhartha Gautama who was born in northern India
in 588 BCE to wealth and privilege. At the age of 29, he abandoned
his wealthy heritage and set upon a quest for truth and enlightenment,
living among the most disadvantaged of his countrymen, where he
sought to alleviate suffering and seek serene acceptance.
There
is no personal God in Buddhism. The Buddha, whose name means The
Enlightenment is regarded not as a god but as a great teacher
who attained Enlightenment and demonstrated the path of spiritual
awakening and freedom. Indeed, the Buddha encouraged each person
to embrace her or his traditional religion. Buddhist "religious
practice" encompasses a variety of forms, but includes sitting
mediation and mindfulness in everyday life. The vast literature
of Buddhism includes the triptaka of sutra - the logia [sayings]
of the Buddha himself; vinyana - discipline; and abhidharma -
doctrine; and there are three existing triptaka: Theravada, of
Southeast Asia; Sartvastovada and the Tibetan collections. Buddhism
swept through Asia during the centuries following the Buddha's
lifetime and more recently has greatly expanded its membership
throughout the world. In its various disciplines Buddhism is practiced
by about 400 million people. Traditionally, there were two great
divisions of Buddhist practice: Mahayana. path (roughly translated
as "the greater vehicle") Buddhism, which is dominant
in the North, and includes schools in Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea
and Mongolia; Mahayana regards the Buddha as a universal principle,
an eternal presence in the universe. The second major expression,
Hinayana, adheres more closely to the Theravada ("Teaching
of the Elders"), the believe that the Buddha was a historical
figure who no longer exists but left his dharma (teachings about
the path of mindful living). Hinyana is concentrated in the south
Asian countries of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and
Laos - where Buddhism is central to the social patterns of life,
politics and government. A third way, that of Zen, developed during
the spread of Buddhism from the 5th Century CE east to China,
Japan, Korea and Vietnam, absorbing elements of Taoism. In Zen
direct intuition of the cosmic unity or void replaces the study
of the scriptures, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The emphasis on aesthetics
has found great appeal in the West.
BUDDHISM