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Introduction

The cultural context

The life of the Buddha
Suffering, impermanence, and no-self
The Four Noble Truths
The law of dependent origination
The Eightfold Path
Expansion of Buddhism
Buddhism under the Guptas and Palas
The demise of Buddhism in India
Contemporary revival
Malaysia and Indonesia
From Myanmar to the Mekong delta
Central Asia
The early centuries
Developments during the Tang dynasty (618–907)
Buddhism after the Tang
Origins and introduction
Nara and Heian periods
New schools of the Kamakura period
The premodern period to the present
The Himalayan kingdoms
Buddhism in the West
Monastic institutions
Internal organization of the sangha
Society and state
Classification of dhammas
The stages leading to arhatship
The Pali canon ( Tipitaka )
Early noncanonical texts in Pali
Later Theravada literature
The Buddha: divinization and multiplicity
The bodhisattva ideal
The three Buddha bodies
New revelations
Madhyamika (Sanlun/Sanron)
Yogachara/Vijnanavada (Faxiang/Hossō)
Avatamsaka (Huayan/Kegon)
Tiantai/Tendai
Dhyana (Chan/Zen)
Vajrayana literature
Rnying-ma-pa
Sa-skya-pa, Bka’-brgyud-pa, and related schools
The Bka’-gdams-pa and Dge-lugs-pa
Traditional literary accounts
Shakyamuni in art and archaeology
Literary references
Art and archaeology
Mythic figures in the Three Worlds cosmology
Local gods and demons
Female deities
Kings and yogis
Anniversaries
Ullambana festival
New Year and harvest festivals
Buddhist pilgrimage
Bodhisattva vows
Funeral rites
Protective rites
Trends since the 19th century
Challenges and opportunities

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Table Of Contents

Who was the founder of Buddhism and what inspired him to create this religion?
What are the Four Noble Truths and how do they form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy?
How does the concept of karma work in Buddhism and how does it influence a person's life?
What is the Eightfold Path and how does it guide Buddhists in their daily lives?
What are the main branches of Buddhism and how do they differ from each other?
How has Buddhism spread from its origins in India to become a global religion?
What role do meditation and mindfulness play in Buddhist practice?
How does Buddhism view the concept of reincarnation or rebirth?
What are some of the most important Buddhist texts or scriptures?
How does Buddhism compare to other major world religions?
What are some common Buddhist symbols and their meanings?
How has Buddhism influenced art, literature, and culture in various parts of the world?

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Buddhism , religion and philosophy that developed from the teachings of the Buddha (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who lived in northern India between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries bce (before the Common Era). Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia , China , Korea , and Japan , Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of Asia , and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West.

Ancient Buddhist scripture and doctrine developed in several closely related literary languages of ancient India, especially in Pali and Sanskrit . In this article Pali and Sanskrit words that have gained currency in English are treated as English words and are rendered in the form in which they appear in English-language dictionaries. Exceptions occur in special circumstances—as, for example, in the case of the Sanskrit term dharma (Pali: dhamma ), which has meanings that are not usually associated with the term dharma as it is often used in English. Pali forms are given in the sections on the core teachings of early Buddhism that are reconstructed primarily from Pali texts and in sections that deal with Buddhist traditions in which the primary sacred language is Pali. Sanskrit forms are given in the sections that deal with Buddhist traditions whose primary sacred language is Sanskrit and in other sections that deal with traditions whose primary sacred texts were translated from Sanskrit into a Central or East Asian language such as Tibetan or Chinese .

The foundations of Buddhism

Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce , a period of great social change and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha’s birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce . Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce ). At this time in India, there was much discontent with Brahmanic ( Hindu high-caste) sacrifice and ritual . In northwestern India there were ascetics who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the Vedas (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the Upanishads , a new emphasis on renunciation and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation.

A proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the Samkhya school of Hinduism founded by Kapila ) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws—e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the Ajivikas (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate ( niyati ), and the Jains , who stressed the need to free the soul from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that constitute the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul.

Buddha. Temple mural in Thailand of the Buddha founder of a major religions and philosophical system Buddhism.

Despite the bewildering variety of religious communities , many shared the same vocabulary— nirvana (transcendent freedom), atman (“self” or “soul”), yoga (“union”), karma (“causality”), Tathagata (“one who has come” or “one who has thus gone”), buddha (“enlightened one”), samsara (“eternal recurrence” or “becoming”), and dhamma (“rule” or “law”)—and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi—that is, a miracle-working ascetic .

Buddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was constituted by the presence of a charismatic teacher, by the teachings this leader promulgated , and by a community of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the Triratna —i.e., the “Three Jewels” of Buddha (the teacher), dharma (the teaching), and sangha (the community).

In the centuries following the founder’s death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the Hinayana (Sanskrit: “Lesser Vehicle”), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more conservative group, which included what is now called the Theravada (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) community, compiled versions of the Buddha’s teachings that had been preserved in collections called the Sutta Pitaka and the Vinaya Pitaka and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the Mahayana (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group’s point of view, made salvation available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in sutras that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced disciples .

As Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of karma (the belief that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the efficacy of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce , a third major Buddhist movement, Vajrayana (Sanskrit: “Diamond Vehicle”; also called Tantric, or Esoteric , Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by gnostic and magical currents pervasive at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily.

Despite these vicissitudes , Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali Tipitaka (“Three Baskets”)—the Sutta Pitaka (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons; the Vinaya Pitaka (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (“Basket of Special [Further] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions have accepted as Buddhavachana (“the word of the Buddha”) many other sutras and tantras , along with extensive treatises and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at Sarnath to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity—a development or metamorphosis around a central nucleus—by virtue of which Buddhism is differentiated from other religions.

Essay on Buddhism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Buddhism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

100 Words Essay on Buddhism

Introduction to buddhism.

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that emerged from the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) around 2,500 years ago in India. It emphasizes personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life.

Key Beliefs of Buddhism

Buddhism’s main beliefs include the Four Noble Truths, which explain suffering and how to overcome it, and the Noble Eightfold Path, a guide to moral and mindful living.

Buddhist Practices

Impact of buddhism.

Buddhism has greatly influenced cultures worldwide, promoting peace, non-violence, and harmony. It’s a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality.

250 Words Essay on Buddhism

The four noble truths.

At the heart of Buddhism lie the Four Noble Truths. The first truth recognizes the existence of suffering (Dukkha). The second identifies the cause of suffering, primarily desire or attachment (Samudaya). The third truth, cessation (Nirodha), asserts that ending this desire eliminates suffering. The fourth, the path (Magga), outlines the Eightfold Path as a guide to achieve this cessation.

The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path, as prescribed by Buddha, is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing individuals from attachments and delusions; ultimately leading to understanding, compassion, and enlightenment (Nirvana). The path includes Right Understanding, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality. It encourages individuals to lead a moral life, be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding. The ultimate goal is the attainment of enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death.

500 Words Essay on Buddhism

Introduction.

Buddhism, a religion and philosophy that emerged from the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama), has become a spiritual path followed by millions worldwide. It is a system of thought that offers practical methodologies and profound insights into the nature of existence.

The Life of Buddha

The Four Noble Truths are the cornerstone of Buddhism. They outline the nature of suffering (Dukkha), its origin (Samudaya), its cessation (Nirodha), and the path leading to its cessation (Magga). These truths present a pragmatic approach, asserting that suffering is an inherent part of existence, but it can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path, as taught by Buddha, is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing individuals from attachments and delusions, ultimately leading to understanding, compassion, and enlightenment. It includes Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

Buddhist Schools of Thought

Buddhism and modern science.

The compatibility of Buddhism with modern science has been a topic of interest in recent years. Concepts like impermanence, interconnectedness, and the nature of consciousness in Buddhism resonate with findings in quantum physics, neuroscience, and psychology. This convergence has led to the development of fields like neurodharma and contemplative science, exploring the impact of meditation and mindfulness on the human brain.

Buddhism, with its profound philosophical insights and practical methodologies, continues to influence millions of people worldwide. Its teachings provide a framework for understanding the nature of existence, leading to compassion, wisdom, and ultimately, liberation. As we delve deeper into the realms of modern science, the Buddhist worldview continues to offer valuable perspectives, underscoring its enduring relevance in our contemporary world.

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Mahayana Buddhism is the largest Buddhist sect in the world, and its beliefs and practices are what most non-adherents recognize as "Buddhism" in the modern era. It developed as a school of thought sometime after 383 BCE, possibly from the earlier school known as Mahasanghika , though that claim has been challenged.

Mahasanghika ("Great Congregation") was an early Buddhist school that developed after the Second Buddhist Council of 383 BCE when the Sthaviravada school ("Sect of the Elders" or "Teaching of the Elders") broke away from the Buddhist community over doctrinal differences. This early schism led to others and the development of many different Buddhist schools of which Mahasanghika was only one.

Mahasanghika, claiming to represent the majority of Buddhists (as its name suggests) was thought by 19th-century scholars to have eventually become Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"), but modern scholars contend that this is incorrect as evidence suggests Mahayana existed alongside Mahasanghika and was supported and encouraged by that school. How and why Mahayana Buddhism developed is a question still debated by scholars and Buddhist theologians.

Buddha ’s Life & Death

According to Buddhist tradition, the belief system was founded by a former Hindu prince, Siddhartha Gautama (l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE), whose father protected him from experiencing any kind of pain or suffering for the first 29 years of his life. When the prince was born, a seer prophesied that, should he ever experience or even see evidence of pain and suffering, he would become a great spiritual leader, renouncing his kingdom. Siddhartha’s father, hoping to preserve his dynasty, constructed a pleasure palace , which distanced his son from the everyday world of pain and disappointment and kept him safely inside the compound through the help of his many servants.

Siddhartha grew up, married, and had a son, all the while believing he was living in the real world. Periodically, he would be taken for a ride around what he believed was his father’s kingdom by a coachman loyal to the king who made sure to stay away from the gates leading to the outside world. One day, though, this coachman (or, in the most popular version of the tale, a substitute who was unaware of the rules) took the prince out through one of the gates, and he encountered the Four Signs that would change the direction of his life:

An aged man

He had never experienced anything like this before and questioned the coachman each time after seeing the first three, asking, "Am I, also, subject to this?" The coachman explained how everyone grew old, experienced illness and pain, and eventually died. This revelation horrified the prince because he understood he had been living in a false world constructed by his father which was actually governed by the same rules as this real world he was now encountering and, eventually, he would lose everything he loved.

The fourth sign, the ascetic, intrigued him, however, as this man seemed unconcerned with age, sickness, or death and so he had the coachman stop so he could ask why. The ascetic replied that he was living a life of non-attachment to the world and was at peace, and shortly after this, Siddhartha abandoned his life and fled to the woods to join a band of spiritual ascetics.

He learned meditation techniques and how to fast and various methods of spiritual discipline, but none of these satisfied him. Finally, he removed himself from the ascetic community and went out on his own, eventually seating himself beneath a Bodhi tree and claiming he would attain enlightenment there or die in the attempt.

Enlightenment came in the form of the Four Noble Truths :

Life is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving
The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
There is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering

He understood that the suffering he felt at the thought of losing everything he loved was caused by the desire that these things remain just as they were forever. This craving for permanence in an impermanent world, he realized, could only lead to suffering because the nature of life was transitory. All aspects of existence were in a constant state of change, growth, and dissolution; nothing could be held and claimed as everlasting, not even the identity one believed was oneself. Scholar John M. Koller comments:

The Buddha's teaching of [the Four Noble Truths] was based on his insight into interdependent arising ( pratitya samutpada ) as the nature of existence. Interdependent arising means that everything is constantly changing, that nothing is permanent. It also means that all existence is selfless, that nothing exists separately, by itself. And beyond the impermanence and selflessness of existence, interdependent arising means that whatever arises, or ceases, does so dependent upon conditions. This is why understanding the conditions that give rise to [suffering] is crucial to the process of eliminating [suffering]. (64)

In this moment, he became the Buddha ("Enlightened One") and recognized, in the Fourth Noble Truths, the way to live without suffering. He called this “the middle way” between extreme asceticism and enslavement to sense attachments, also known as the Eightfold Path:

Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

By following this path, one could still appreciate all that one had without insisting on permanence; one could appreciate without attachment. Buddha’s first sermon outlined this vision and attracted adherents who became the first Buddhists.

Early Buddhist Schools

Buddha taught his precepts until the age of 80 when he died. He told his disciples they should not choose a leader, every person should seek enlightenment individually just as he had done, and requested that his remains be placed in a stupa at a crossroads, presumably so travelers would see it and be reminded that there was a way to live without constant suffering through rebirth and death in countless incarnations. His disciples, instead, divided his remains amongst themselves and erected stupas at various locations throughout the region each felt most appropriate. They then institutionalized the Buddha’s teachings, chose a leader, and wrote up rules and regulations for the faith.

Gandhara Relief of Buddha Eating with Monks

The First Council was convened c. 400 BCE at which the rules governing the community (the sangha ) were established and the Buddha’s "true" teachings separated from "false" legends that had already grown up around him. At the Second Council of 383 BCE, different factions within the sangha offered their own interpretations of these teachings and of the rules previously agreed to. Disagreements led to one group, later known as the Sthaviravada school, separating from the main body and declaring they, alone, understood Buddha’s vision. The larger group became known as Mahasanghika – the Great Congregation – which had more adherents than Sthaviravada – and also claimed it alone understood the Buddha’s message.

The Sthaviravada school took Buddha’s admonition that each person should seek their own enlightenment and turned their focus inward toward each member of the sect working to become an arhat (saint) with no responsibility for anyone else. Mahasanghika took the example of Buddha’s life – complete selflessness in service to others – as their model and believed each person could become a Bodhisattva (“essence of enlightenment”) and it was a Buddhist’s responsibility, after attaining enlightenment, to help others achieve the same state.

More schools developed out of these first two and, by the late 3rd century BCE, there were many which included Mahayana. Around 283 BCE, the Mahasanghika school divided over whether the teachings of Mahayana were worthy of acceptance. Sometime shortly after this, Mahasanghika either died out or merged with Mahayana. It is unclear what happened to the school, but later texts state that they lost the authority to ordain monks which must have meant that some larger and more powerful school of thought now claimed that right. The only school with that kind of power at the time was Mahayana.

Mahayana Beliefs

The claim that Mahayana developed from Mahasanghika is supported not only in the similarity of the names (both claiming to be the largest group of believers and therefore the majority who agreed on Buddha’s vision) but by what is known of Mahasanghika beliefs later held by Mahayana. Mahasanghika rejected the Sthaviravada position that the primary goal of Buddha’s message was individual spiritual perfection, claiming an arhat was just as fallible as any other human being and possessed no supernatural powers or insights. To the Mahasanghika school, an arhat was simply a spiritual ascetic who used Buddha’s vision as a guide toward spiritual development instead of one of the many others in use at the time. Mahasanghika also believed:

Bodhisattvas take vows prior to their incarnation to be born in the worst locales so they can help people overcome their suffering.
Only the present exists at all times; past and future are illusions which distract and trouble the mind.
Enlightened beings, spirits, and deities exist in every direction, at all times, because there actually is no time – no past and no future – only an eternal present.
Enlightenment brings supramundane powers including the ability to communicate without speech.

Mahayana Buddhism accepted all of these tenets but also claimed that a Mahayana sutra – a book of Buddhist teachings, words of the Buddha, hagiographies, and meditative verses – represented the authentic vision of the Buddha while those of other schools, however valuable they might be, did not. The term Mahayana was self-applied – the school itself claimed to have the largest number of followers – and they called other schools Hinayana ("The Lesser Vehicle") applied to those groups that rejected Mahayana sutras and maintained their own beliefs regarding the Buddha and his essential teaching.

The main difference between Mahayana and other schools was their focus on the importance of the bodhisattva. One’s path toward enlightenment was not for one’s benefit alone but for the whole world. Once one had attained an awakened state, it was one’s responsibility to assist others in doing the same. A further important difference is that Mahayana understands the Buddha (known as Sakyamuni Buddha) as an eternal, transcendent being who is either eternal or is possessed of so long a lifespan that he may as well be. Accepting this truth and dedicating oneself to emulation of the Buddha’s path is rewarded by spiritual merit which advances one on the path to becoming a bodhisattva and then a Buddha like Sakyamuni and the many others that Mahayana believes came before and after him.

All Buddhas who have ever lived have always existed and will always exist in the eternal present human beings experience as life. Sakyamuni Buddha, therefore, did not actually die of dysentery after eating his last meal but only appeared to because those around him understood death as an end to life. They experienced the Buddha’s death because they accepted the paradigm of someone dying, but to the Mahayana school, this was only another of the many of life’s illusions. Sakyamuni Buddha, like all others, has been active in the lives of believers and non-believers the world over for centuries and will continue to be for generations yet to be born.

Mahayana Practices

These beliefs are observed in one’s daily life through the ten practices known as pāramitā ( Sanskrit for "perfection") essential to one’s spiritual development:

Dāna Pāramitā : Charity, the act of giving generously
Śīla Pāramitā : Morality, self-discipline, virtuous conduct
Ksānti Pāramitā : Patience, forbearance, endurance
Vīrya Pāramitā : Effort, diligence, perseverance
Dhyāna Pāramitā : Concentration, single-mindedness
Prajñā Pāramitā : Wisdom, spiritual knowledge tempered by compassion
Upāya Pāramitā : Method, the right way to accomplish anything
Pranidhāna Pāramitā : Resolution, determination in working toward a goal
Bala Pāramitā : Spiritual power
Jñāna Pāramitā : Knowledge, both of the nature of life and of oneself

There are different paramita lists, some only include the first six of the above, some all ten. It should also be noted that the above is the list from Sanskrit sources while in the Pali sources (in which the pāramitā are known as pāramī ) the perfections are different and include renunciation and a commitment to telling the truth at all times. The list of ten practices, eventually split into six and four, is thought to reflect an early cohesion of Buddhist thought, which fractured as different schools developed.

By including these practices in one’s daily life, one advances along the path of the bodhisattva. Scholars Robert E. Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez, Jr. comment:

The practice of these perfections over the course of the many lifetimes of the bodhisattva’s path eventually fructifies in the achievement of Buddhahood. The precise meaning of the perfections is discussed at length [in Buddhist commentary] as is the question of how the six (or ten) are to be divided between categories of merit (Punya) and wisdom (Jnana). (624)

The accumulation of spiritual merit is an important aspect of Mahayana belief and is accrued through adherence to the discipline of the paramita and acceptance of the truth of the Mahayana sutras.

Mahayana Scriptures

Besides the Dhammapada , a collection of 423 verses attributed to Sakyamuni Buddha, the foundational text of Mahayana Buddhism is The Perfection of Wisdom (the literal translation of the Sanskrit title Prajñāpāramitā ) written by various Buddhist sages primarily between c. 50 BCE - c. 600 CE. It is a kind of manual on how to become a bodhisattva with a full understanding of Buddhist Dharma (“cosmic law ”) unimpeded by one’s ego which darkens understanding through willful ignorance and pride. The verses of this work aim at confusing rational thought and linear thinking in order to free the mind to understand the world from a different, higher perspective.

For many people, this is the most important work in Buddhism, memorized and recited daily by Buddhists around the world. It contains some of the most famous Buddhist sutras such as The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (c. 50 BCE), The Diamond Sutra (c. 2nd century CE), and the Heart Sutra (c. 660 CE). The Heart Sutra is the most often memorized and recited as it focuses on discarding the ego-attachment to the identity one calls the "self", freeing the mind and spirit to create space – emptiness – in the self that can then be filled by higher thought and clearer vision. As long as one is full of oneself, one has no room for anything else – like a home that has become cluttered with so many possessions there is no room for even one more and, further, one no longer even knows what is there – but by reciting the Heart Sutra , one removes, piece by piece, the elements of self and "cleans house", as it were, restoring a natural balance and order to one’s life.

Buddhist Illuminated Manuscript, Goryeo Period

There are many more significant scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism including the equally, if not more, famous Lotus Sutra (also known as Sutra on the White Lotus of the True Dharma ) which makes clear that all forms of Buddhism are aspects of Ekayana ("One Vehicle" or "One Path") and Mahayana Buddhism, while still claiming to be the most complete or authentic, is only one of many.

There are also the Pure Land Sutras , celebrating the work of the Celestial Buddha Amitabha and the realm of bliss he created, which awaits believers in the afterlife. The Golden Light Sutra emphasizes the importance of order in one’s internal life that is reflected externally, specifically concerning kings and those in authority. Another work, the Tathagatagarbha Sutras , makes clear that all living things are possessed of a Buddha-nature which, if developed, lead to the enlightenment of Buddhahood. Other, equally important, sutras, develop these themes and others in providing a complete guide to following the path of the bodhisattva and freeing oneself, and then others, from ignorance, avarice, and the craving that binds one to the wheel of perpetual suffering.

Buddhism did not initially find a wide audience in India where Hinduism , which was already well established, and Jainism , which appealed to the ascetic community, were more popular. It was not until Buddhism was embraced by Ashoka the Great (r. 268-232 BCE) of the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) that it was spread across the Indian subcontinent and was exported to other lands such as China , Sri Lanka, Korea , and Thailand.

In the present day, there are many schools of thought around the world representing the Buddhist vision but the main three are:

Theravada Buddhism (The School of the Elders, possibly developed from the Sthaviravada school)
Vajrayana Buddhism (The Way of the Diamond, also known as Tibetan Buddhism)

Of these, as noted, Mahayana Buddhism is the most widely practiced, and its rituals, such as pilgrimage to stupas and other holy sites and veneration of statues of the Buddha, are most widely recognized. Contrary to claims by some modern writers, Theravada is not the oldest school of Buddhism as it developed at the same time as Mahayana. All schools recognize the value of Buddha’s essential teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path but interpret and express that value differently in the way they think best to address suffering and encourage compassionate enlightenment throughout the world.

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Friday essay: how the West discovered the Buddha

Emeritus Professor in the History of Religious Thought, The University of Queensland

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Philip C. Almond does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Queensland provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

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Buddhism is the third largest (and fastest growing) religion in Australia with approximately half a million adherents .

The celebration of the Buddha’s birthday here (on or around May 15) has become a major cultural event and the Buddhist doctrine of “mindfulness” is now a part of mainstream culture . But how and when did the West discover the Buddha?

The facts about the Buddha’s life are opaque but we can assume he was born no earlier than 500 BCE and died no later than 400 BCE. He was said to be the son of an Indian king, so distressed by the sight of suffering that he spent years searching for the answer to it, finally attaining enlightenment while sitting under a bodhi (sacred fig) tree.

The Buddha’s family name was Gotama (in the Pali language) or Gautama (in Sanskrit). Although it does not appear in the earliest traditions, his personal name was later said to be Siddhartha, which means “one who has achieved his purpose”. (This name was retrofitted by later believers.)

According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha spent 45 years teaching the path to enlightenment, gathering followers, and creating the Buddhist monastic community. According to the legend, upon his death at the age of 80, he entered Nirvana.

In India during the 3rd century BCE, the emperor Ashoka first promoted Buddhism. From this time on, it spread south, flourishing in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, then moving through Central Asia including Tibet, and on to China, Korea, and Japan. Ironically, the appeal of Buddhism declined in India in succeeding centuries. It was virtually extinct there by the 13th century.

In that same century, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo gave the West its first account of Buddha’s life. Between 1292 and 1295, journeying home from China, Marco Polo arrived in Sri Lanka. There he heard the story of the life of Sergamoni Borcan whom we now know as the Buddha.

Marco wrote about Sergamoni Borcan, a name he had heard at the court of Kublai Khan, in his book The Description of the World . This was the Mongolian name for the Buddha: Sergamoni for Shakyamuni – the sage of the Shakya clan, and Borcan for Buddha – the “divine” one. (He was also known as Bhagavan – the Blessed One, or Lord.)

According to Marco, Sergamoni Borcan was the son of a great king who wished to renounce the world. The king moved Sergamoni into a palace, tempting him with the sensual delights of 30,000 maidens.

But Sergamoni was unmoved in his resolve. When his father allowed him to leave the palace for the first time, he encountered a dead man, and an infirm old man. He returned to the palace frightened and astonished , “saying to himself that he would not remain in this bad world but would go seeking the one who had made it and did not die.”

Sergamoni then left the palace permanently and lived the abstinent life of a celibate recluse. “Certainly,” Marco declared , “had he been Christian, he would have been a great saint with our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Read more: How the Buddha became a Christian saint

Jesuits and authors

Little more was known about the Buddha for the next 300 years in the West. Nevertheless, from the mid-16th century, information accumulated, primarily as a result of the Jesuit missions to Japan and China.

By 1700, it was increasingly assumed by those familiar with the Jesuit missions that the Buddha was the common link in an array of religious practitioners they were encountering.

For example, Louis le Comte (1655-1728), writing his memoir of his travels through China on a mission inspired by the Sun King Louis XIV declared, “all the Indies have been poisoned with his pernicious Doctrine. Those of Siam call them Talapoins, the Tartars call them Lamas or Lama sem, the Japoners Bonzes, and the Chinese Hocham.”

The writings of the English author Daniel Defoe (c.1660-1731) show what the educated English reader might have known of the Buddha in the early 18th century.

In his Dictionary of all Religions (1704), Defoe tells us of an idol of Fe (the Buddha) on an island near the Red Sea, said to represent an atheistic philosopher who lived 500 years before Confucius, that is, around 1,000 BCE.

This idol was carried to China

with Instructions concerning the Worship paid to it, and so introduced a Superstition, that in several things abolish’d the Maxims of Confucius, who always condemned Atheism and idolatry.

A quite different Buddha was to be encountered by the British in the later 1700s as they achieved economic, military, and political dominance in India. Initially, the British were reliant on their Hindu informants. They told them the Buddha was an incarnation of their god Vishnu who had come to lead the people astray with false teaching.

More confusion reigned. It was often argued in the West that there were two Buddhas – one whom Hindus believed to be the ninth incarnation of Vishnu (appearing around 1000 BCE), the other (Gautama) appearing around 1000 years later.

And yet more confusion. For there was a tradition in the West since the mid-17th century that the Buddha came from Africa.

Well into the 19th century, it was thought that representations of the Buddha, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, depicted with woolly hair and thick “Ethiopian lips” (as one writer put it ) were evidence of his African origins.

Such observers were mistaking traditional representations of the Buddha with his hair tightly coiled into tiny cones as a sign of his African origins.

First use of the term ‘Buddhism’

Two major turning points eventually sorted out these confusions. The first was the invention of the term “Buddhism”.

Its first use in English was in 1800 in a translation of a work entitled Lectures on History by Count Constantine de Volney . A politician and orientalist, de Volney coined the term “Buddhism” to identify the pan-Asian religion that he believed was based on a mythical figure called “Buddha”.

Only then did Buddhism begin to emerge from the array of “heathen idolatries” with which it had been identified, becoming identified as a religion, alongside Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

The second turning point was the arrival in the West of Buddhist texts. The decade from 1824 was decisive. For centuries, not a single original document of the Buddhist religion had been accessible to the scholars of Europe.

But in the space of ten years, four complete Buddhist literatures were discovered – in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Pāli. Collections from Japan and China were to follow.

With the Buddhist texts in front of them, Western scholars were able to determine Buddhism was a tradition that had arisen in India around 400-500 years BCE.

And among these texts was the Lalitavistara (written around the 4th century CE), which contained a biography of the Buddha. For the first time Westerners came to read an account of his life.

The Lalitavistara and other biographies depicted a highly magical and enchanted world – of the Buddha’s heavenly life before his birth, of his conception via an elephant, of his mother’s transparent womb, of his miraculous powers at his birth, of the many miracles he performed, of gods, demons, and water spirits.

But within these enchanted texts, there remained the story of the life of the Buddha with which we are familiar. Of the Indian King Shuddhodana who, fearing Gautama would reject the world, keeps his son sheltered from any sights of suffering. When Gautama finally leaves the palace he encounters an old man, a diseased man, and a dead man. He then decides to search for the answer to suffering.

For the Buddha, the cause of suffering lies in attachment to the things of the world. The path to liberation from it thus lies in the rejection of attachment.

The Buddha’s way to the cessation of attachment was eventually summarised in the Holy Eightfold Path – right views, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right meditation. The outcome of this path was the attainment of Nirvana when the self at the time of death escaped from rebirth and was extinguished like the flame of a candle.

This selfless Buddha, who was said to have died in the groves of trees near the Indian town of Kusinagara , was the one the West soon came to admire. As the Unitarian minister Richard Armstrong, put it in 1870,

his personality has endured for centuries, and is as fresh and beautiful as now when displayed to European eyes, as when Siddharta [sic] himself breathed his dying breath in the shades of (the forest of) Kusinagara.

History versus legend

But is the Buddha of the legend also the Buddha of history? That the tradition we call Buddhism was founded by an Indian sage named Gautama around the 5th century BCE is very likely.

That he preached a middle way to liberation between worldly indulgence and extreme asceticism is highly probable. That he cultivated practices of mindfulness and meditation, which led to peace and serenity, is almost certain.

That said, the earliest Buddhist traditions showed little interest in the details of the life of the Buddha. It was, after all, his teachings – the Dharma as Buddhists call it – rather than his person that mattered.

But we can discern a growing interest in the life of the Buddha from the first century BCE until the second or third centuries of the common era as the Buddha transitions within Buddhism from a teacher to a saviour, from human to divine.

It was from the first to the fifth centuries CE that there developed a number of Buddhist texts giving full accounts of the life of the Buddha , from his birth (and before) to his renunciation of the world, his enlightenment, his teachings, and finally to his death.

Thus, there is a long period of at least 500-900 years between the death of the Buddha and these biographies of him. Can we rely upon these very late lives of the Buddha for accurate information about the events of his life? Probably not.

Nevertheless, the legend of his life and teachings still provide an answer to the meaning of human life for some 500 million followers in the modern world.

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Essay on Buddhism – Examples, 10 Lines to 1200 Words

Essay on Buddhism: Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that originated in ancient India and has since spread across the globe, influencing millions of people with its teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and enlightenment. In this essay, we will explore the core beliefs and practices of Buddhism, as well as its impact on individuals and societies. From the life of the Buddha to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, we will delve into the rich history and philosophy of this profound and transformative faith.

Table of Contents

Buddhism Essay Writing Tips

1. Begin by introducing the topic of Buddhism and its significance in the world today. Explain that Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in India and has spread to many countries around the world.

2. Provide a brief overview of the history of Buddhism, including the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, and the development of the religion over time.

3. Discuss the key beliefs and teachings of Buddhism, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of karma and rebirth. Explain how these teachings guide the lives of Buddhists and help them achieve enlightenment.

4. Explore the different branches of Buddhism, such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, and explain how they differ in their beliefs and practices.

5. Discuss the role of meditation in Buddhism and how it is used as a tool for achieving mindfulness and inner peace. Explain how meditation is central to the practice of Buddhism and is used to cultivate wisdom and compassion.

6. Consider the ethical principles of Buddhism, such as the Five Precepts, which guide Buddhists in their moral conduct and interactions with others. Discuss how these principles help Buddhists live a virtuous and compassionate life.

7. Reflect on the impact of Buddhism on society and culture, both historically and in the present day. Discuss how Buddhism has influenced art, literature, philosophy, and social movements around the world.

8. Consider the challenges and criticisms that Buddhism faces in the modern world, such as accusations of sexism and discrimination within Buddhist institutions. Discuss how Buddhists are working to address these issues and promote greater inclusivity and equality.

9. Conclude by reflecting on the enduring appeal of Buddhism and its ability to offer solace, guidance, and wisdom to people of all backgrounds. Emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting different religious traditions in our increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

10. Remember to proofread and edit your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar before submitting it for evaluation. Make sure to cite any sources you used in your research to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.

Essay on Buddhism in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in India around 2,500 years ago. 2. The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, is also known as the Buddha, which means “enlightened one.” 3. The central teachings of Buddhism revolve around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. 4. The Four Noble Truths are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. 5. The Eightfold Path consists of eight principles that followers of Buddhism strive to follow in order to achieve enlightenment. 6. Buddhism emphasizes the importance of meditation, mindfulness, and ethical conduct in achieving spiritual growth. 7. There are three major branches of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. 8. Buddhism teaches the concept of karma, the belief that one’s actions have consequences in this life and future lives. 9. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach Nirvana, a state of complete liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. 10. Buddhism has spread to many parts of the world and has influenced art, culture, and philosophy in various societies.

Sample Essay on Buddhism in 100-180 Words

Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in ancient India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. The central tenets of Buddhism include the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it through the Eightfold Path.

Buddhism emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and non-attachment to material possessions. Followers of Buddhism seek to achieve enlightenment, or Nirvana, by following the teachings of the Buddha and practicing meditation and mindfulness.

Buddhism has spread throughout Asia and beyond, with different schools and traditions emerging over time. Today, Buddhism is practiced by millions of people around the world and continues to be a source of spiritual guidance and inspiration for many.

Short Essay on Buddhism in 200-500 Words

Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in ancient India and has spread to many parts of the world. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha, which means “enlightened one.” The core teachings of Buddhism revolve around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which provide a guide for living a moral and ethical life.

The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddhist philosophy. They state that life is filled with suffering, that suffering is caused by desire and attachment, that suffering can be overcome, and that the way to overcome suffering is through following the Eightfold Path. These truths emphasize the impermanence of life and the importance of letting go of attachments in order to find true happiness and peace.

The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for ethical and moral living that are meant to help individuals achieve enlightenment. It includes principles such as right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. By following these principles, Buddhists believe they can cultivate wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline in order to reach a state of enlightenment.

One of the key concepts in Buddhism is the idea of karma, which is the belief that our actions have consequences that affect our future lives. Buddhists believe that by living a moral and ethical life, they can accumulate positive karma that will lead to a better rebirth in their next life. Conversely, negative actions will result in negative karma and a less favorable rebirth. This belief in karma encourages Buddhists to act with compassion and kindness towards others in order to create positive outcomes for themselves and others.

Another important aspect of Buddhism is the practice of meditation. Meditation is a way for individuals to quiet their minds, cultivate mindfulness, and develop insight into the nature of reality. By meditating regularly, Buddhists believe they can achieve a state of inner peace and clarity that allows them to see the world more clearly and live with greater compassion and wisdom.

In addition to these core teachings, Buddhism also encompasses a rich tradition of rituals, ceremonies, and practices that vary depending on the cultural and geographical context in which it is practiced. For example, in Tibetan Buddhism, practitioners may engage in elaborate rituals involving chanting, visualization, and the use of sacred objects such as prayer beads and mandalas. In Zen Buddhism, practitioners focus on the practice of sitting meditation (zazen) as a means of achieving enlightenment.

Overall, Buddhism offers a comprehensive and profound path to spiritual growth and self-discovery. Its teachings on suffering, impermanence, and the nature of reality provide valuable insights into the human condition and offer practical guidance for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. By following the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and engaging in practices such as meditation and mindfulness, individuals can cultivate wisdom, compassion, and inner peace that can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Essay on Buddhism in 1000-1500 Words

Buddhism is one of the oldest and most widespread religions in the world, with over 500 million followers worldwide. It originated in India around the 6th century BCE and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, or the Enlightened One. Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha, which emphasize the importance of self-awareness, compassion, and the pursuit of enlightenment.

One of the key teachings of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of the Buddha’s teachings. The first Noble Truth is the truth of suffering, which states that all beings experience suffering in their lives. The second Noble Truth is the truth of the cause of suffering, which is desire and attachment. The third Noble Truth is the truth of the cessation of suffering, which is achieved through the elimination of desire and attachment. The fourth Noble Truth is the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering, which is the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for living a meaningful and fulfilling life, which includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. By following the Eightfold Path, Buddhists believe that they can achieve enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth known as samsara.

Another important concept in Buddhism is the idea of karma, which is the belief that our actions have consequences, both in this life and in future lives. According to the law of karma, good actions lead to positive outcomes, while bad actions lead to negative outcomes. By practicing good deeds and cultivating positive qualities such as compassion, generosity, and wisdom, Buddhists believe that they can create positive karma and improve their future lives.

One of the key practices in Buddhism is meditation, which is a way to cultivate mindfulness and awareness. By meditating regularly, Buddhists can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, as well as cultivate inner peace and tranquility. There are many different forms of meditation in Buddhism, including mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and insight meditation, all of which are aimed at developing different aspects of the mind and spirit.

In addition to meditation, Buddhists also engage in rituals and ceremonies as a way to honor the Buddha and his teachings. One of the most important rituals in Buddhism is the practice of making offerings to the Buddha, which is a way to show respect and gratitude for his teachings. Buddhists also participate in ceremonies such as chanting, reciting sutras, and performing rituals to purify the mind and spirit.

Buddhism is a diverse religion with many different schools and traditions, each with its own unique practices and beliefs. Some of the major schools of Buddhism include Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each of which has its own unique teachings and practices. Theravada Buddhism is the oldest and most traditional form of Buddhism, which emphasizes the importance of individual enlightenment and self-reliance. Mahayana Buddhism, on the other hand, is more focused on compassion and the idea of the bodhisattva, or enlightened being, who vows to help all beings achieve enlightenment. Vajrayana Buddhism is a form of Buddhism that is practiced mainly in Tibet and emphasizes the use of rituals, mantras, and visualizations to achieve enlightenment.

In conclusion, Buddhism is a rich and diverse religion that offers a path to enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Through the teachings of the Buddha, the practice of meditation, and the cultivation of positive qualities such as compassion and wisdom, Buddhists believe that they can achieve inner peace and happiness. With its emphasis on self-awareness, compassion, and the pursuit of enlightenment, Buddhism continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for millions of people around the world.

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