Buddhism Paper
Buddhism Paper
Collin Todd
REL/133
June 15, 2015
Calvin Habig
Buddhism Paper
In this weeks paper I will be talking about Buddhism and its basic teachings. I will go over how Buddhism started and the life of Buddha. I will also be discussing the basic teachings of Buddhism. Lastly I will discuss Mahayana, a school of Buddhism and why it is unique.
History of Buddhism
In the 6th century, Buddha Shakyamuni founded Buddhism. He was born a royal prince in a city called Lumbini, which is now northern India. His parents originally gave him the name Siddhartha. People always predicated wonderful things would come from him in the future. In his early years he lived as a prince in his royal palace but when he was 29 years old he retired to the forest where he followed a spiritual life of meditation ("About Buddhism", 2007). After six years of mediation he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. After his enlightenment he was asked to teach the introduction to Buddhism. As a result of this request, Buddha rose from meditation and taught the first Wheel of Dharma ("About Buddhism", 2007). These teachings included the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths, which is the primary source of Hinayana Buddhism. In the Hinayana teachings, the Buddha explained how to attain liberation for one self, and in the Mahayana teachings he explained how to attain enlightenment for the sake of others. In all Buddha Shakyamuni gave eighty-four thousand teachings ("About Buddhism", 2007).
Basic Teachings of Buddhism
One day, the Buddha sat under a shade tree and realized how beautiful the countryside was. But among all of this beauty he realized how much unhappiness was still in the world. He asked himself many questions but could never find the answers. But during his enlightenment he did find the answers. He discovered the three great truths. These three truths are, nothing is lost in the universe, everything changes, and the law of cause and effect. In the first great truth Buddha states
Collin Todd
REL/133
June 15, 2015
Calvin Habig
Buddhism Paper
In this weeks paper I will be talking about Buddhism and its basic teachings. I will go over how Buddhism started and the life of Buddha. I will also be discussing the basic teachings of Buddhism. Lastly I will discuss Mahayana, a school of Buddhism and why it is unique.
History of Buddhism
In the 6th century, Buddha Shakyamuni founded Buddhism. He was born a royal prince in a city called Lumbini, which is now northern India. His parents originally gave him the name Siddhartha. People always predicated wonderful things would come from him in the future. In his early years he lived as a prince in his royal palace but when he was 29 years old he retired to the forest where he followed a spiritual life of meditation ("About Buddhism", 2007). After six years of mediation he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. After his enlightenment he was asked to teach the introduction to Buddhism. As a result of this request, Buddha rose from meditation and taught the first Wheel of Dharma ("About Buddhism", 2007). These teachings included the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths, which is the primary source of Hinayana Buddhism. In the Hinayana teachings, the Buddha explained how to attain liberation for one self, and in the Mahayana teachings he explained how to attain enlightenment for the sake of others. In all Buddha Shakyamuni gave eighty-four thousand teachings ("About Buddhism", 2007).
Basic Teachings of Buddhism
One day, the Buddha sat under a shade tree and realized how beautiful the countryside was. But among all of this beauty he realized how much unhappiness was still in the world. He asked himself many questions but could never find the answers. But during his enlightenment he did find the answers. He discovered the three great truths. These three truths are, nothing is lost in the universe, everything changes, and the law of cause and effect. In the first great truth Buddha states
References: About Buddhism. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.aboutbuddhism.org/history-of- buddhism.htm/ Following the Buddha 's Footsteps. (N.D.). Retrieved from http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm