Buddhism

Introduction This Religion focuses on a spiritual approach and Buddhists gain a deep insight into life. They are very peaceful people. Buddhists do not worship a God, but instead thrive to gain complete peace within themselves.

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born into a royal family in present-day Nepal over 2500 years ago. Siddhartha Gautama lived a life of privilege and luxury until one day he left the royal enclosure and encountered for the first time, an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. Disturbed by this he became a monk before adopting the harsh poverty of Indian asceticism. Neither path satisfied him and he decided to pursue the ‘Middle Way’ - a life without luxury but also without poverty.

The Four Noble Truths 1. The truth of suffering (Dukkha) 2. The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya) 3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha) 4. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)

First Noble Truth This truth states that life is full of suffering. Old age, Sickness and Death will happen. Pleasure does not last for an extended period of time. Buddhists are neither optimistic or pessimistic. They are realistic and explain life. Suffering can be overcome and Buddhists hope to get past suffering and learn how to deal with it.

Second Noble Truth Three roots of evil: Greed and desire, represented in art by a rooster Ignorance or delusion, represented by a pig Hatred and destructive urges, represented by a snake Buddhists have to overcome this to avoid suffering.

Third Noble Truth Buddhists hope to reach Nirvana – reaching enlightenment. They have to detatch themselves. They hope to reach a state of complete happiness and contentment in their mind. They do not reach Heaven straight away from Nirvana. After death an enlightened person is realised from being reborn.

Fourth Noble Truth Buddhists follow 8 principles called an Eightfold Path. This include speaking truthfully. Cultivating right attitudes. Behaving peacefully. Developing awareness of the body. Avoid making a living that could cause harm or upset.

Meditation Mental and physical course of action. They separate themselves from their minds and thoughts. Meditation is a way of taking control of the mind so that it becomes peaceful and focused, and the meditator becomes more aware. Meditation can take place personally or within in a group.

The Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and traditionally has been responsible for the governing of Tibet, until the Chinese government took control in 1959. Before 1959, his official residence was Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. After the death of a Dalai Lama it has traditionally been the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelugpa Tradition and the Tibetan government to find his reincarnation.

Ethics Abortion Buddhists believe that life should not be destroyed, but they regard causing death as morally wrong only if the death is caused deliberately or by negligence. Animals Try to do no harm to animals. Show loving and kindness. Buddhists also acknowledge the value that animal experiments may have for human health.