What is Buddhism?

1. What is Buddhism?

Buddhism is a global religion that originated in ancient India. It teaches that life is full of suffering and that liberation and inner peace can be achieved through insight and disciplined practice.

Founder: Shakyamuni Buddha

Originally a prince in ancient India, Siddhartha Gautama renounced his royal life at 29, sought the truth of life, and attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. He became known as the Buddha—“The Awakened One.”

What does Buddhism promote?

Buddhism advocates reducing attachment and desires to cultivate compassion and wisdom. It encourages self-awareness to attain mental freedom and awakening.

2. The Story of Shakyamuni Buddha

👶 Birth

Born in Lumbini (present-day Nepal), his mother had a dream of a white elephant—symbolizing a divine conception. He was born under a sal tree.

👀 The Four Sights

As a young man, he encountered four things during his excursions: an old man, a sick man, a dead body, and a monk. These sights inspired him to seek the truth behind suffering.

🧘 Renunciation

He gave up his royal life, shaved his head, and donned a monk’s robe. He practiced intense meditation and asceticism in search of enlightenment.

🌳 Enlightenment

Under the Bodhi tree, he realized the root cause of suffering and the way to liberation, thus attaining Buddhahood.

📜 First Teaching

At Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon—“The Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”—and began guiding disciples across India.

☸️ Parinirvana

At the age of 80, he passed into “Nirvana,” the ultimate state of peace beyond suffering and rebirth.

3. Core Teachings of Buddhism

🔁 Dependent Origination (Pratītyasamutpāda)

All phenomena arise due to conditions and cease when those conditions end. Nothing exists independently.

☸️ Three Universal Truths (Three Dharma Seals)

Impermanence – All things change.
Non-Self – Nothing possesses a permanent, unchanging self.
Nirvana – The ultimate peace, free from suffering.

🍃 Four Noble Truths

Dukkha (Suffering) – Life contains suffering.
Samudaya (Origin) – Suffering arises from craving and attachment.
Nirodha (Cessation) – There is a way to end suffering.
Magga (Path) – The Eightfold Path leads to liberation.

🛤️ The Noble Eightfold Path

Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.

🔄 The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

Ignorance → Formations → Consciousness → Name & Form → Six Senses → Contact → Feeling → Craving → Clinging → Becoming → Birth → Aging & Death

⚖️ Karma & Rebirth

Every action has consequences. Good deeds lead to positive outcomes, and harmful actions lead to suffering.

🌌 The Three Realms & Six Realms of Existence

Three Realms: Desire Realm, Form Realm, Formless Realm
Six Realms: Gods, Humans, Asuras, Animals, Hungry Ghosts, Hell Beings

✨ Nirvana

The final goal: liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), where all defilements are extinguished.

🕉️ Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism)

A school emphasizing mantras, rituals, and visualizations for swift enlightenment.

4. Famous Buddhist Quotes

“Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” – Everything is transient and interconnected.
“A single flower contains the universe; a single leaf contains enlightenment.”
“The sea of suffering is boundless, yet turning back is the shore.”
“Originally there is not a single thing—where can dust alight?”
“Saving one life is more meritorious than building seven pagodas.”
“One thought is eternity.”

5. Common Buddhas You May Encounter

Shakyamuni Buddha – The historical founder.
Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru) – Heals physical and mental ailments.
Amitabha Buddha – Oversees the Western Pure Land.
Maitreya Buddha – The future Buddha, often depicted smiling.
Dipankara Buddha – A past Buddha who predicted Shakyamuni’s enlightenment.

6. Common Bodhisattvas

Manjushri – Symbol of wisdom, often holding a sword.
Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) – Embodiment of compassion.
Ksitigarbha (Dizang) – Vowed to liberate all beings from hell.
Samantabhadra – Represents great practice and vows.

7. Buddhist Ethics & Etiquette

The Five Precepts: No killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, or intoxication.
Monastic Rules: No eating after noon, strict celibacy, daily meditation and chanting.
Temple Etiquette:
- Dress modestly (no sleeveless shirts or short skirts).
- No loud talking or laughing.
- Avoid pointing feet at altars or statues.
- Do not touch statues or offerings.
- Greet with palms together (Anjali mudra), not handshakes.
- Do not walk in front of people who are bowing.
- Vegetarian offerings only.

8. Glossary of Buddhist Terms

Mahayana – “Great Vehicle,” focuses on universal salvation.
Hinayana / Theravāda – “Lesser Vehicle,” focuses on personal liberation.
Arhat – One who has overcome all defilements and attained liberation.
Three Poisons – Greed, Hatred, Ignorance.
Three Jewels – The Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), the Sangha (community).
Relics (Śarīra) – Sacred remains of enlightened beings.
Dharma Name – A spiritual name given after ordination or vows.
Saha World – The world of endurance and suffering (our world).
Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds – A cosmic unit of universes in Buddhist cosmology.
Western Paradise – Amitabha’s Pure Land.
Asura Realm – A realm of powerful beings marked by jealousy and conflict.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What does the "swastika" (卍) symbol mean in Buddhism?

It represents auspiciousness, eternity, and the Buddha’s heart of compassion. It predates and is unrelated to the symbol misused by the Nazis.

❓ What are the Four Sacred Mountains in Chinese Buddhism?

Mount Wutai (Manjushri)
Mount Emei (Samantabhadra)
Mount Putuo (Guanyin)
Mount Jiuhua (Ksitigarbha)

❓ What is a monk's daily routine like?

Monks begin with morning chanting and meditation, followed by alms or meals, scriptural study, chores, and evening meditation. Life is disciplined and serene.

✨ Buddhism is not distant or abstract—it is lived in each breath, each step, and each act of mindfulness. May your journey toward awakening begin right here.