Buddhism

The religion of reason and meditation was born in India, sixth century B.C. and throughout the centuries has spread over vast areas of Asia. It is estimated that today between 1/5 and 1/3 of the people of the world practice some form of Buddhism. From its beginning, Buddhism spread outward from northeastern India. Once in decline, and now revived, Buddhism is taught and practiced in not only Asia, but has spread to modern Europe and America (Ross 3). So what is it about Buddhism that despite cultural differences, followers have kept the philosophy alive for more than 2,500 years?

Archaeological excavations completed in 1995 indicate that Buddha, born as Siddhartha Gautama (Sanskrit) was born in Nepal on the Nepal-India border, about 145 miles southwest of Katmandu, approximately 563-483 B.C. (Worldbook online). Buddha, or the enlightened one, is the founder of this philosophy. This son of an aristocrat and a long awaited heir led a sheltered and protected life surrounded by influence and privilege (Ross 5). His father “took great precautions to prevent Siddhartha from experiencing any distressing incidents that could cast the slightest shadow on his happiness” and forbid his son even in

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The kind of things that stop us from feeling a kind of equilibrium needed for a sense of well-being. In other words, the only thing that can cause suffering is personal karma. Otherwise known as the five moral precepts and they are: Not to harm living things, not to take what is not given, not to misuse the senses, not to speak wrongly, and not to use drugs and alcohol. Since all life is impermanent, these cravings are bound to ultimately end in frustration. The term “Buddhism” could then be called an umbrella term used to describe a variety of different beliefs and practices.

The second truth is “The cause of suffering is craving” (Fowler 257). Buddhism gives each and every person control of their own existence. Since this is hard to achieve, the action should at least be of good nature so it produces good karma. Until then Siddhartha had never fully realized what old age could mean in the way of weakness and disability. It is no wonder that the spread has encompassed much of the world. That life is unsatisfactory in the sense that all life is impermanent. Without this aspect, the effort involved in pursuing the whole path, there can be little hope for change.

Approximate Word count = 1782
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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