A Closer Look: Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the world’s most famous philosophies, with adherents from many nations and a following of more than 375 million. Buddhism began in a time frame of about 563 to about 483 B.C., but even after many centuries, its influence has survived and spread across the entire modern world.
Buddhism originated in northeastern India circa 500 B.C., in the time of Brahmanism, or the Hinduism caste system. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the son of the elected chieftain of the Shakya tribe in Lumbini. Siddhartha was discontent with the current ways of life as far as religion was concerned. Therefore, he grew to create a new philosophy aimed at escaping the cycles of reincarnation, which was taught by the Brahmins of Hinduism, and reach a state of nirvana, or “enlightenment.” Therefore, one can say that culturally, Buddhism sprung forth from the root of Hinduism.
The goal of Buddhism was to bring religion to a more personal level and to escape how hopeless things in religion were then. The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, saw how Man suffered in his trek through life, and he knew that every man and woman, everything living, would have to endure this over and over again because of the process of reincarnation. The Buddha sought out to find the answers to this problem, and he tried asceticism, in sharp contrast to his previous lavish lifestyle in his father’s house, but he found that this was not the way. One day, he went into a state of meditation, and he had a vision and became enlightened. He found that the way was not an extreme of either side, having everything or having nothing. He followed and taught the Middle Way, the balance between asceticism and living lavishly. He taught the Four Noble Truths, basically the fundamentals for Buddhism, stating that all men suffer, that all men suffer as a result of desire, that nirvana ends suffering, and finally how to reach nirvana- the Middle Way. The Middle Way is also known as the Eightfold Path, and basically teaches to the effect that one should live morally and accept Buddhist teachings. Buddha’s teachings can be summed up in the concept of moderation, finding the balance between desperation and indulgence.
Followers of Buddhism are located worldwide; it is difficult to find a place that Buddhist ideas have not reached. The first devotees were wandering ascetics and common laypeople who venerated the Buddha. Some of the ascetics settled in permanent monasteries and created monastic rules. Modern-day Buddhists don’t necessarily live in monasteries, although some do and teach Buddha’s philosophy, but rather today’s Buddhists follow certain customs that keep them tied to their faith. For example, Buddhists venerate the Buddha, whether by meditating on the qualities of Buddha, or even by giving offerings to relics of the Buddha. Also, followers give gifts, sometimes to the monks, but also to one another or to good causes. In addition, there are places of pilgrimage that mark important places in the Buddha’s life to “foster a spiritual discipline” or to express one’s devotion to the faith. In summation, Buddhism’s adherents are not all that different from those of most other religions; they venerate an important figure in their faith, they give gifts and such to the order of monks and priests, and they go on pilgrimages to holy sites of their faith.
In conclusion, Buddhism is an antique religion that has captivated millions and mystifies many. After more than 2,500 years, it persists as arguably the world’s largest philosophical following, and continues to offer to its devotees another perspective into the meaning of life and eternal peace of heart.