Religious Tradition

Buddhism is a major world religion tha traces its origins to ancient India around the 5th century BCE. Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as The Buddha ("The Enlightened One"), Buddhism has since spread across Asia and, more recently, to other parts of the world. Its teachings offer a comprehensive system of philosophy, ethics, and spiritual practice aimed at alleviating suffering and attaining a state of enlightenment.

The Life of The Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in what is now Nepal. Despite his luxurious upbringing, he was moved by the inevitable sufferings of life—old age, sickness, and death—and set out to find a way to end this cycle. After years of spiritual quest, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became The Buddha .

Core Teachings

The core teachings of Buddhism can be summarized in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths:
1. The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): All beings experience suffering.
2. The Cause of Suffering (Samudaya): Suffering is caused by craving and attachment.
3. The Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha): It is possible to end suffering.
4. The Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga): The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path: A set of ethical and mental guidelines divided into Wisdom (Right Understanding, Right Intention), Ethical Conduct (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood), and Mental Discipline (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration).

Major Branches

Buddhism has evolved into several major schools and traditions over the centuries, including:

Theravāda: Predominant in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia, Theravada focuses on the earliest texts and emphasizes individual enlightenment.
Mahāyāna: Found mainly in East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea, Mahayana Buddhism focuses more on collective enlightenment and compassion, with a diverse pantheon of Bodhisattvas who help humans on their path to enlightenment.
Vajrayāna: Primarily found in Tibet and Mongolia, Vajrayana incorporates tantric practices and rituals as a quick path to enlightenment.

Buddhism

The Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama

Buddhist Scriptures

The Buddhist Scriptures originated in India in the 6th century before Christ, then spread throughout Asia - including Nepal , Sri Lanka , Myanmar , Thailand , Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Tibet , China , Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Bhutan, Indonesia, Taiwan & Singapore — giving rise to various sacred traditions and texts.

Buddhism

Vajrayāna Buddhism

The Tipiṭaka serves as the foundational canon for Theravāda Buddhism.