By Rebecca NashBy Rebecca Nash

What is Buddhism What is Buddhism

Buddhism is the main religion in many Buddhism is the main religion in many Asian countries. It is a religion about Asian countries. It is a religion about suffering and the need to get rid of it. suffering and the need to get rid of it. A key concept of Buddhism is A key concept of Buddhism is Nirvana, the most enlightened, and Nirvana, the most enlightened, and blissful state that one can achieve. A blissful state that one can achieve. A state without suffering. state without suffering.

Where and when did it Where and when did it begin?begin?

Buddhism began in northeastern India Buddhism began in northeastern India and is based on the teachings of and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The religion is Siddhartha Gautama. The religion is 2,500 years old and is followed by 2,500 years old and is followed by 350 million Buddhists worldwide. 350 million Buddhists worldwide.

How is Buddhism different How is Buddhism different from other religions?from other religions?

Buddhism is different from many other Buddhism is different from many other faiths because it is not centered on faiths because it is not centered on the relationship between humanity the relationship between humanity and God. Buddhists do not believe in and God. Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator God.a personal creator God.

Who is the founder of Who is the founder of Buddhism?Buddhism?

The Buddhist tradition is founded on The Buddhist tradition is founded on and inspired by the teachings of and inspired by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. He was called Siddhartha Gautama. He was called the Buddha and lived in the 4th or the Buddha and lived in the 4th or 5th century B.C. in India. 5th century B.C. in India.

Why is Siddhartha Gautama so Why is Siddhartha Gautama so important to Buddhists?important to Buddhists?

• Siddhartha Gautama found the path Siddhartha Gautama found the path to Enlightenment. By doing so he to Enlightenment. By doing so he was led from the pain of suffering was led from the pain of suffering and rebirth towards the path of and rebirth towards the path of Enlightenment and became known asEnlightenment and became known as the Buddha or "awakened one". the Buddha or "awakened one".

The symbols of BuddhismThe symbols of Buddhism

The wheel of life which symbolizes the cycle of life, The wheel of life which symbolizes the cycle of life, death and rebirth.death and rebirth.The eight spokes remind people that the Buddha The eight spokes remind people that the Buddha taught about eight ways of life.taught about eight ways of life.

The lotus flower symbolizes purity and divine birth. The lotus flower symbolizes purity and divine birth. The lotus flower grows in mud at the bottom of a The lotus flower grows in mud at the bottom of a pool, but rises above the surface to become a pool, but rises above the surface to become a beautiful flower. Buddhists say this is how people beautiful flower. Buddhists say this is how people should rise above every thing witch is dukkha. A should rise above every thing witch is dukkha. A flower may be very beautiful and have a flower may be very beautiful and have a wonderful sent, but it soon withers and dies. This wonderful sent, but it soon withers and dies. This shows that nothing in life is perfect and that shows that nothing in life is perfect and that every thing in the world will die one day. every thing in the world will die one day.

Where do Buddhists worshipWhere do Buddhists worship

Buddhist worship at home or at a Buddhist worship at home or at a temple. Worshippers may sit on the temple. Worshippers may sit on the floor barefoot facing an image of floor barefoot facing an image of Buddha and chanting. It is very Buddha and chanting. It is very important that their feet face away important that their feet face away from the image of Buddha. They listen from the image of Buddha. They listen to monks chanting from religious texts to monks chanting from religious texts and take part in prayers.and take part in prayers.

If they worship at home they will If they worship at home they will usually have a shrine. There will be usually have a shrine. There will be a statue of a Buddha some candles a statue of a Buddha some candles and an incense burner placed on the and an incense burner placed on the shrine. If you worship at a temple shrine. If you worship at a temple they will come in many different they will come in many different shapes. The best known one may be shapes. The best known one may be the pagodas of china and Japan. the pagodas of china and Japan. Another typical Buddhist building is Another typical Buddhist building is the stupa (an upside down bowl the stupa (an upside down bowl shape). All Buddhist temples contain shape). All Buddhist temples contain an image or a statue of a Buddhaan image or a statue of a Buddha