What is Buddhism?
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ Buddhism is a path of teaching and practice. Buddhist
practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in
order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and
wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition
over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource
for all those who wish to follow the path of spiritual
development. Ultimately, the Buddhist path culminates in
Enlightenment or Buddhahood.
Who was the Buddha?
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ The word Buddha is a title not a name. It means 'one
who is awake' in the sense of having 'woken up to reality'. The
title was first given to a man called Siddharta Guatemala,
who lived about 2,500 years ago in Northern India. When he
was 35 he found Enlightenment whist in profound mediation,
after searching for years. In the next 45 years of his life
he spent it traveling through India teaching his way of life.
His teaching is known as Buddha-dharma.
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ Traveling from place to place, the Buddha gained many
disciples. They also taught of the enlightment, and the chain
has continued on to this present day.
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ The Buddha was not a God, and he made no claim to
divinity. There is no concept of a creator in Buddhism. He was
a human being who, thought tremendous efforts, transformed
himself.
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ The state of Enlightenment which he reached has three
main facets. It is a state of wisdom, of insight into the true
nature of things. It is also a source or boundless compassion,
manifesting itself in activity for the benefit of all beings. and
it the total liberation of all the energies of the mind and the
body so they are at the service of the fully conscious mind.
What Happened After the Buddha's Death?
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ Buddhism died out in India a thousand years ago,