Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment
Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world, with over 500 million followers, comprising about 7% of the global population. It originated in India around the 5th to 4th century BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha.
Core Beliefs and Scriptures
- Central Figure: Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha (Learn More About the Buddha).
- Sacred Texts: Key scriptures include the Tripitaka, Sutras, and Mahayana Sutras.
- Key Teachings: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path guide practitioners toward Nirvana, the ultimate liberation (Learn More About Buddhism).
Major Branches of Buddhism
- Theravāda: Focuses on the original teachings of the Buddha and is practiced in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar (More on Theravāda).
- Mahayāna: Emphasizes compassion and the Bodhisattva path, prominent in China, Japan, and Korea (More on Mahayāna).
- Vajrayāna: Known for its esoteric practices, it is most commonly associated with Tibetan Buddhism (More on Vajrayāna).
Key Practices
- Meditation: Central to achieving mindfulness and enlightenment.
- Mindfulness: Living in the present moment with awareness.
- Compassion: A core virtue for helping others on the path to liberation.
Global Influence
Buddhism has shaped art, philosophy, and spiritual practices worldwide, particularly through mindfulness and meditation.
Hashtags:
#Buddhism, #Mindfulness, #Meditation, #Dharma, #Nirvana, #Buddha, #Theravada, #Mahayana, #Vajrayana, #WorldReligion
