Learning about the principles of Buddhism is a process that can be undertaken by a wide spectrum of people, whether looking for a new faith or studying religion in general. Despite a definite spiritual focus, the long history it enjoys can make Buddhism appear somewhat daunting. This can make it beneficial to be aware of the basic points of the religion, which allows the summary to be expanded upon within the course of gradual study.
History
Buddhism’s rich, spiritual history goes back as far as the 6th century, arising from the bodhi – or personal enlightenment – of Siddhartha Gautama. He came from the foot of the Himalayan mountains, what would currently be around the border of Nepal and India. Siddhartha Gautama subsequently known as Gautama Buddha and his quest for enlightenment gave him the knowledge necessary to be able to teach others the principles of the faith.
Principles
In essence, Buddhism teaches its followers to focus on personal spiritual development by looking within themselves to gain insight on life. Unlike most other religions, Buddhists do not believe in a God, but rather that everything in life is connected. This idea leads to an emphasis on nature, compassion and morality. Transformation is always possible within Buddhism because nothing is permanent.
Teachings
The entirety of Buddha’s teachings can be found in The Four Noble Truths, which came to fruition after his deep meditations. These are suffering, the origins of suffering, cessation of suffering and the path to the cessation of suffering – a diagnosis and cure for a problem. The idea of karma is recognisable in a number of different religions, albeit in slightly different guises. In Buddhism, positive and negative acts contribute to the future life, which can be improved further with continued good deeds.
Practice
Buddhists can practice their faith at a temple or at home, which is mainly undertaken in the form of meditation. Good morals are important to a Buddhist as they help to shape an individual’s character. Accordingly, doing no harm to another living thing is a principle that all Buddhists live by. A number of festivals are celebrated throughout the year.
Present Day
The number of Buddhist followers is great, with there being over 370 million from all over the world. Though the greatest concentration is in Asia, the number of converts from western countries increases the number further.
Picture: Wikimedia: Prajnaparamita female Bodhisattva of the “Perfection of Wisdom”, Java, Indonesia