Buddhism
In the year 535 BCE, Buddhism was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama (also written as Siddhatha Gotama). In order to seek truth, Siddhartha had left his family and led the life of an ascetic. He studied Brahmanism (religion of the vedic period, predecessor of Hinduism) but eventually rejected it. After many struggles within himself, Siddhartha reached enlightenment and became Buddha (one who has awakened). Buddha is also referred to as the Sakyamuni (sage of the Sakya Clan).
Buddhism promotes the middle way, rejecting both extremes of the mortification of the flesh and of hedonism as paths toward the state of Nirvana (freedom from craving, anger, and other afflictive states, hence transcendence). Up to this day, Buddha has had many followers and has accumulated quite a large following.
Buddhists do not deny or believe in an immanent or any type of god. They have no need for a personal savior and do not believe or deny that you are sent to heaven or hell. However, they do accept reincarnation: the concept that one must go through many cycles of birth, living, and death which after many such alternations, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana.
The Buddha's Four Noble Truths
1. to be fully understood: the universality of suffering
2. to be abandoned: the desire to have and control things which causes suffering
3. to be made visible: the supreme truth and final liberation of Nirvana which is achieved as the cause of suffering is eliminated; the mind experiences complete freedom and liberation
4. to be brought into being: the truth of the eight fold path leading to the end of suffering
Right Understanding
Right Thinking
Right Speech
Right Conduct
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfullness
Right Concentration
Recommended Reading - Buddha by Karen Armstrong; Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagan; Buddhism Audio Renaissance Meditations on Buddhism by OSHO
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