What is Buddhism?

 

The spiritual and personal development of individuals is what the religion of Buddhism is focused on. The following of the Buddha and his teachings is what Buddhism encourages. In order to change oneself to become more aware, kind and wise, meditation must be practiced. Buddhism has created individuals who have followed the path that ultimately leads to Enlightenment or Buddha-hood, over thousands of years.

 

Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in Nepal around 563 BCE (BC), founded Buddhism. He did not claim to be a God and has never been regarded as one by his followers. He was a human being who became enlightened and gained understanding of life at the deepest level.

 

Buddhism is not seen as a normal religion in the western sense, as it does not include the idea of worshipping Gods. The teachings are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible.

 

The dharma is what Buddhists practice; it means truth, law or teaching. The Buddha's teaching is considered by Buddhists as pointing to the truth - they are practicing what the Buddha preached. The Buddha's Dharma teaches practical methods (such as meditation) of enabling people to realise and utilise its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of wisdom and compassion.

 

Buddhists are individuals who belong to the sangha. Sangha means community. Often it denotes the monastic community, but in a broader sense it refers to Buddhists in general.