Buddhism

Buddhism

The goal of Buddhism is to reach total enlightenment know as Nirvana. It’s founder is Siddhartha Gautama, now referred to as the Buddha. He was a wealthy prince who led a very sheltered life until he traveled outside of the palace walls where he came across sickness, old age, death, and finally an old monk who had given up everything to end his suffering. These sights inspired Siddhartha Gautama to renounce everything and find the true path of enlightenment. Buddhism has no god or higher deity, the main purpose of this religion is to seek enlightenment.

The Buddha

The Three Jewels

The Three Jewels are very important in Buddhism. They are the Buddha (yellow) who serves as an example of how to live one’s life , Dharma (blue) which is the teaching of the Buddha and serves as a way of how to reach enlightenment, and Sangha (red), which is the practice of following in the footsteps of other Buddhists who have gone before you. 

Three Jewels

Dharma Wheel

Four Noble Truths

1. Life is filled with  dukkha (suffering)

2.Dukkah is caused by desire

3. Dukkah can only be ended by ending desire

4. One must follow the path that takes us away from suffering (i.e. the 8-fold path)

The Eightfold Path
1. Right understanding

2. Right resolve

3. Right speech

4. Right action

5. Right livelihood

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right meditation

Wat Arun- Buddhist Temple in Thailand