Buddhism is one of the oldest world religions, originated in India and has found understanding and followers far beyond its borders.
History of Buddhism
One of the world religions, and for many it’s just the philosophy of life, now known as “Buddhism”, counts its history from about 500 BC. The birthplace of "Buddhism" is the territory of India, where the most ancient states of Koshal, Lichchawi and Magadha were located.
Presumably, several factors became the impetus for the emergence of a new religious view, where Brahmanism has dominated for a long time. Firstly, the secular government, which sought to strengthen its position, supported the spread in the common people of the religious movement, opposing the basic ideas of the then prevailing teachings of the Brahmins. Late media and Puranic literature indicate the presence of factors that define Buddhism as the "religion of rulers." Secondly, the deepest crisis of the Vedic religion, which occurred in the period from 500 to 1 year BC, contributed to the emergence of alternative teachings.
The emergence of Buddhism is inextricably linked with the heir to King Kapilavastu, Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Patronized by his father, Siddhartha did not know life outside the palace, full of luxury and pleasure. He married a girlfriend and they had a son. And, perhaps, the prince would end his days without knowing another life, if not for the four episodes that changed his worldview. Once, Siddhartha ran into a feeble old man. Then he witnessed the torment of a man dying of leprosy.
So the prince found out that in there is another side of life, consisting of old age, illness and, in the end, death. And then he met a poor wanderer who did not want anything from life and was glad that he was. New meetings so impressed Gautama that at the age of 29 he decided to leave the palace and become a hermit. An ascetic lifestyle, deep thoughts about the fate of man led Gautama to enlightenment, and at the age of 35 he became a Buddha - enlightened, awakened. For the next 45 years, Buddha preached a teaching based on the Four Noble Truths.
Religion basics
For six years, wanderings, hardships, watching people, and meditating allowed the Buddha to come to the truth, revealing the causes of human suffering. So, each of us, trying to get these or those benefits, comfortable living conditions dooms ourselves to suffering from the very beginning. Only by abandoning the superfluous, accepting life as it is, without embellishment can you come to the absolute harmony of your existence.
Perhaps the striking difference between Buddhism and other world religions is the fact that Buddha did not give divinity to his revelations. He spoke of his teachings as the result of a practical knowledge of the world, observations and meditations, which he practiced during his travels. Buddha called not to blindly trust the words, but to verify the righteousness of his teachings through personally gained experience and only then accept. The basis of Buddhism is composed of four doctrines, which are its integral part:
- Life is dukkha, that is, fear, dissatisfaction, anxiety, suffering, concern, anxiety. Each person, to varying degrees, experiences dukkha, which is the basis of existence. Buddhism points to the indissolubility of this connection, like no other religion. At the same time, without denying the possibility of having pleasant moments in life.
- There is always a reason for the appearance of dukkha. It can be either a person’s thirst for pleasure, lust, lust, greed and other similar feelings, or disgust, rejection of the objectionable.
- Dukkha and its causes can be eliminated. The fading of all passions and desires invariably leads to nirvana.
- Nirvana is the way to get rid of earthly sufferings, which can be reached through eight stages of various states - the octal path. It is he who is the "middle way" in the teachings of the Buddha, allowing to avoid extremes in the desire to have fun and not to suffer.
The octal path consists of the following steps:
- correct understanding - it should be accepted that life is full of suffering;
- right intentions - on the path of life should not allow excessive pleasure, passions;
- the right way of life - you should protect the living without harming it;
- correct speech - a word can both do good and sow evil, so you should watch your speech;
- right actions - you need to strive for the accomplishment of good deeds, avoiding the bad;
- correct efforts - efforts should be directed to the prevalence of positive thoughts over others;
- right thoughts - it is always necessary to remember that the flesh contains evil;
- proper focus - training to concentrate on life processes around you helps in the search for truth.
The components of the octal path follow from each other, inextricably linking all the components together. Moral behavior is impossible without the discipline of the mind required to achieve wisdom. Wisdom begets compassion, for he who is compassionate is wise. However, without discipline of the mind, the rest is unattainable.
The main directions of Buddhism
Increasing the number of his followers, Buddhism underwent changes, forming various directions. Today there are 18 schools of this creed, the main of which are Mahayana, Theravada, Vajrayana, Tibetan branch.
Mahayana is the main branch of Buddhism, whose followers account for 50 percent of the total number of Buddhists. This direction is widespread in China, Japan, Mongolia, Tibet and adhere to the idea of a complete merger of nature and man.
Theravada. The number of followers of this ancient direction totals about 40 percent of Buddhists and differs in strict adherence to the words, phrases, teachings of the Buddha.
Vajrayana (Diamond Chariot) - a branch of the Mahayana, which, taking its essence, brought its vision to the methods and approaches to meditation. In the modern world, this direction is becoming increasingly popular, interest in its views on tantra.
Tibetan branch. Based on the basics of Mahayana and Vajrayana. The main goal of practicing in Tibetan Buddhism is to achieve nirvana. Here, relationships based primarily on the manifestation of kindness play a key role.
