Buddhism is one of the oldest world religions, originating in India and finding understanding and followers far beyond its borders.
One of the world religions, and for many simply the philosophy of life, now known as "Buddhism", dates back to approximately 500 BC. The homeland of "Buddhism" is the territory of India, where the ancient states of Koshala, Lichchavi and Magadha were located.
Presumably, several factors were the impetus for the emergence of a new religious view where Brahmanism prevailed for a long time. First, the secular government, striving to strengthen its position, supported the spread of a religious movement among the common people, which opposed the main ideas of the then dominant teachings of the Brahmins. Late Media and Puranic literatures point to the presence of factors defining Buddhism as a "religion of rulers." Secondly, the deepest crisis of the Vedic religion, which occurred in the period from 500 to 1 BC, contributed to the emergence of alternative teachings.
The rise of Buddhism is inextricably linked with the heir to King Kapilavastu, Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Guarded by his father, Siddhartha did not know life outside the palace, full of luxury and pleasure. He married his girlfriend and they had a son. And, perhaps, the prince would have ended his days without knowing another life, if not for four episodes that changed his worldview. One day, Siddhartha ran into a frail old man. Then he witnessed the torment of a man dying of leprosy.
So the prince learned that there is another side of life, consisting of old age, illness and, ultimately, death. And then he met a poor wanderer who wanted nothing from life and was happy with what he had. New meetings so impressed Gautama that at the age of 29 he decided to leave the palace and become a hermit. An ascetic lifestyle, deep reflections on the fate of man led Gautama to enlightenment, and at the age of 35 he became Buddha - enlightened, awakened. For the next 45 years, Buddha preached a doctrine based on the Four Noble Truths.
Wandering, deprivation, observing people and meditating for six years allowed the Buddha to come to the truth that reveals the causes of human suffering. So, each of us, striving to get certain benefits, comfortable living conditions, initially dooms himself to suffering. Only by giving up unnecessary things, accepting life as it is, without embellishment, you can come to the absolute harmony of your existence.
Perhaps the striking difference between Buddhism and other world religions is the fact that Buddha did not impart divinity to his revelations. He spoke of his teaching as a result of practical knowledge of the world, observation and meditation, which he practiced during the period of wandering. Buddha urged not to blindly trust the words, but to make sure of the righteousness of his teachings through personally received experience and only then accept. Buddhism is based on four doctrines that are integral to it:
- Life is dukkha, that is, fear, dissatisfaction, anxiety, suffering, concern, anxiety. Each person experiences dukkha to varying degrees, which is the basis of existence. Buddhism points out the indissolubility of this connection, like no other religion. At the same time, without denying the possibility of having pleasant moments in life.
- There is always a cause for dukkha. It can be as a person's thirst for pleasure, lust, lust, greed and other similar feelings, and disgust, rejection of the unwanted.
- Dukkha and its causes can be eliminated. The extinction of all passions and desires invariably leads to nirvana.
- Nirvana is the path of deliverance from earthly suffering, which can be achieved by going through eight stages of various states - the eightfold path. It is he who is the "middle path" in the teachings of the Buddha, allowing you to avoid extremes in the desire to receive pleasure and not experience suffering.
The eightfold path consists of the following stages:
- correct understanding - one should accept that life is full of suffering;
- correct intentions - on the path of life it is worth not allowing excessive pleasure, passions;
- the correct way of life - you should protect the living without harming it;
- correct speech - a word can both do good and sow evil, so you should follow your speech;
- doing the right thing - you need to strive to do good deeds, avoiding bad ones;
- correct efforts - efforts should be directed towards the prevalence of positive thoughts over others;
- correct thoughts - it is always necessary to remember that the flesh contains evil in itself;
- correct concentration - training in concentration on the life processes taking place around helps in the search for truth.
The components of the eightfold path flow from each other, inextricably linking all the components together. Moral behavior is impossible without the discipline of the mind required to attain wisdom. Wisdom breeds compassion, for he who is compassionate is wise. However, without the discipline of the mind, the rest is unattainable.
Increasing the number of its followers, Buddhism underwent changes, forming different directions. Today, there are 18 schools of this creed, the main ones of which are Mahayana, Theravada, Vajrayana, and the Tibetan branch.
Mahayana is the main branch of Buddhism, adherents of which make up 50 percent of the total number of Buddhists. This direction is widespread in China, Japan, Mongolia, Tibet and adhere to the idea of a complete fusion of nature and man.
Theravada. The number of followers of this ancient trend is about 40 percent of Buddhists and is distinguished by clear adherence to the words, phrases, teachings of the Buddha.
Vajrayana (Diamond Chariot) is an offshoot of the Mahayana, which, taking its essence, brought its vision to the methods and approaches to meditation. In the modern world, this trend is becoming more and more popular, attracting interest in its views on tantra.
Tibetan branch. Based on the basics of Mahayana and Vajrayana. The main goal of practice in Tibetan Buddhism is to achieve nirvana. This is where a relationship based primarily on kindness plays a key role.
The oldest of the world religions, undergoing changes, experiencing prosperity and decline, spread far beyond India, finding its followers not only in Asian countries, but also in Europe and America. Today Buddhists make up about 7 percent of the total believing population of the Earth. The countries where Buddhism is most widespread include:
- China. Recognized as the official state religion, along with four others. The most widespread is Mahayana Buddhism, which promises to give deliverance from suffering to all who strive for it.
- Thailand. The share of followers of the Buddha here is over 90 percent. The vast majority of residents belong to the Theravada Buddhist school.
- India. In the country where Buddhism originated and experienced decline, the proportion of Buddhists in the population is more than 80 percent.
- Vietnam. The religion of the local population is a kind of mixture of Mahayana Buddhism and ancient traditions based on the veneration of ancestors.
- Myanmar. About 89% of the population is Buddhist.
- Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism is widespread here, representing a combination of teachings and various techniques of meditation.
- Sri Lanka. The number of believers in the teachings of the Buddha here is over 70 percent. The main focus is Theravada Buddhism.
- South Korea. Buddhism is most prevalent in conservative areas, where Buddhists account for more than half of the population.
- Taiwan. According to various estimates, strict adherents of Buddhism are from 7 to 15 percent of the population. A feature of local Buddhists is vegetarianism.
- Cambodia. Here Buddhism is the state religion. The main professed direction is Theravada.
This is not a complete list of countries where this religion has acquired its followers. Also, Buddhism is very widespread in Malaysia, Bhutan, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan and continues to expand its geography.
