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1. WHAT IS BUDDHISM? Buddhism is a method of achieving "Nirvana," or liberation from suffering. The method of realising
this was discovered by a man called the Buddha (a title which means "The Awakened One" or one who has been awakened
to the true nature of existence). The method of liberation he discovered is called the Eightfold Path (a very specific set
of practical guidelines for daily living).
The overall tone of the Buddhist lifestyle is living with compassion
and kindness, doing no harm at all, and being helpful towards all peoples regardless of their racial, religious or political
differences. The most important objectives a Buddhist has in life are to become liberated from suffering by realising the
state of enlightenment, and also to help other beings become enlightened.
2. THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA. The Buddha was a spiritual teacher (guru) who lived in Northern India in the 6th century BC. The
Buddha was a human being, not a deity. He was born Siddhartha Gautama, son of a regional Chieftain in what is now Nepal. The
Buddha grew up with the luxuries of court life, but at the age of 29 he voluntarily renounced his wealth and all worldly possessions
in order to embark on a life totally dedicated to attaining spiritual insight.
He is referred to as `The Buddha' because
the word Buddha' is a title, not a name. The title means "The Awakened One." This refers to one whose mind has penetrated
the illusions of our sense perceptions to directly and profoundly realise the true nature of existence.
3. THE TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA. What the Buddha discovered was a system of practices which can help achieve a spiritual transformation
in which one is no longer vulnerable to suffering. The Buddhas system consists of a method of daily living (see Eightfold
Path below).
The Buddhas method does not rely on or incorporate the concept of a personal God or individual Creator.
While the Buddha himself did not endorse or encourage the concept of an ultimate Creator-God, neither did he categorically
deny the possibility of such a God he simply said that the issue was not relevant to achieving the particular type of spiritual
transformation he was interested in, and he relegated such inquiries to "useless speculation" category.
This
apparent theological neutrality has resulted in Buddhism being absorbed into the existing cultures and belief systems of many
countries. For example, there are some Christian priests who live according to the Buddhas teachings, and who follow the Buddhas
Eightfold Path at the same time as acting on their Christian convictions.
Resources
About Buddhism
DharmaNet International
The Buddhism Depot
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