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Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion which preaches Non Violence and Attainment of Nirvana (Mukti)
Buddhism preaches on Non violence and attainment of Nirvana (the ultimate Mukti in life and overall peace). Buddha lived in the Indian continent’s eastern part during 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Theravada and Mahayana meaning Elders’ school and Great Vehicle respectively are two types of sub divisions of Buddhism and is a more popular religion in the Asian Continent as also in other parts of the world. It has different theories on liberation and one’s living style and renunciation.
History
6th Century BCE dates back to the Buddhism which commenced with the birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama in Indian continent in Lumbini of Nepal and happens to be one of the oldest religions of the world. It has its further movement towards from northeastern region of Indian sub continent to the Central area, Eastern and Southeast Asia region thus becoming instrumental in influencing most parts of the Asian continent. Many schools of thoughts have been raised, including Theravada Mahayana and Vajrayana resulting in the periods of spread and retreat. Gautama Buddha is considered to be one who has awakened many and gave them the real understanding of life and relief from sufferings, which is termed as a state of Nirvana (or Mukti).
More Description
The two branches of Buddhism viz Theravada (Elders’ school) and Mahayana (The great Vehicle) have spread to different places. Theravadas are widely found in Sri Lanka, South East Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar etc.,) and Mahayana is largely found in East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan etc.,). Vajrayana is mainly concentrated in Tibet and Mongolia and the nearby areas of China and Russia, which is also sometimes considered as a branch of Mahayana. Both these branches are popular throughout the world and nearly 1.5 billion followers are said to be the followers of Buddhism throughout the world.
Buddhism preaches mainly the path of liberation, and the importance of different teachings and scriptures. Three important things to be followed as per Buddhism are – a) Buddha meaning to wake up b) Dharma meaning the great preaching’s and c) Sangha meaning the community. By taking shelter under these three principles, makes a person a Buddhist and is thus differentiated from a non Buddhist. Let apart, the other things followed by Buddhists include Ethical guidelines, Take support from Monastic personnel, and renounce everything before becoming a monastic person and adhere to meditation.
Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha) who was born to a Kshatriya warrior in Lumbini, Nepal was the founder of Buddhism possibly during 400 BCE. Some also say that he is a follower of Angirasa, a Brahmin Rishi, and had support from Bimbisara, the ruler of Magadha who accepted Buddhism as his faith and thus came up many Buddhist Viharas. This also is said to be a reason Bihar getting its name. Siddhartha Gautama sat under a Peepal tree which is also called as a Bodhi Tree and obtained Nirvana, the Great Enlightment.
Buddha gave his first lecture at Varanasi, to a group of five companions and they all together formed the Buddha monks and thus paved way for the formation of the Triple Gem viz Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Buddha made lot of travels in the plain of Ganges of North India and other regions and attained Parinirvana in the jungles of Kusinara. While dying Buddha advocated his followers, that the Dharma which is the teaching will be leading them and thus follow discipline and living in a community and thus follow the guidelines strictly. No records are found on his Teachings, and whatever is preserved and available in Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan are the one compiled in the form of a doctrine, during the three centuries and which are now available.
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