History
They say the founder of Buddhism is ‘Buddha Shakyamuni’. Buddha was born a royal prince in 624 BC within Northern India in a place called Lumbini, but is now a part of Nepal. He lived as a prince in the royal family in his early years and when he was at the age of 29 he retired and followed a spiritual life in the forest for 6 years of meditation. ‘After 6 years he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India.’
What are their beliefs?
The Buddhism people believe ‘The mind is neither physical, nor a by-product of purely physical processes, but a formless continuum that is a separate entity from the body.’ (Geshe Kelsang Gyatso 2011)
They believe that once the body disintegrates at death that the mind does not die nor cease.
The Buddhist path can be summed up as:
* To lead a moral life
* To be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
* To develop wisdom and understanding.
Why are these beliefs important?
These beliefs are very important to the Buddhism people because these beliefs are what make the religion, without these beliefs there wouldn’t be much of a religion.
Buddhism symbol
The Main and most important Buddism symbol is the wheel. The Buddhism people believe that the Buddha turned the wheel of the Dharma.
Do they have rules they live by?
The Buddhism people live by the five precepts, these five precepts are:
1. To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings
2. To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given
3. To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct
4. To undertake the training to refrain from false speech
5. To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness
Bibliography
, 2007 , About Buddhism, , accessed 21 February 2011, .
White , B 2011, Buddhism Studies, , accessed 21 February 2011, .
Coute , R 2010, Buddhist Study, , accessed 21 February 2011, .