Buddhism is a
spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the
attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. There are 376
million followers worldwide.
Buddhists seek
to reach a state of nirvana,
following the path of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who went on a quest for
Enlightenment around the sixth century BC.
There is no
belief in a personal god. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent
and that change is always possible. The path to Enlightenment is through the
practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom.
Buddhists
believe that life is both endless and subject to anicca (impermanent), Dukkha
(suffering) and anatta
(non-srlf). These states are called
the tilakhana, or the three
signs of existence. Existence is endless because individuals are reincarnated
over and over again, experiencing suffering throughout many lives.
The last words of the Lord
Buddha
Key facts
·
Buddhism is 2,500
years old· There are currently 376 million followers worldwide
· There are over 150,000 Buddhists in Britain
· Buddhism arose as a result of Siddhartha Gautama's quest for Enlightenment in
around the 6th Century BC
· There is no belief in a personal God. It is not centred on the relationship
between humanity and God
· Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always possible
· The two main Buddhist sects are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana
Buddhism, but there are many more
· Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple
· The path to Enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality,
meditation and wisdom.
