Brief History of Buddhism :: Religion Theology Essays

Brief History of BuddhismBuddhism is angiotensin-converting enzyme of the major religions of the world. It wasfounded by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) in Northeastern India. It arose asa secluded movement during a time of Brahman tradition. Buddhism rejectedimportant views of Hinduism. It did non recognize the validity of theVedic Scriptures, nor the sacrificial cult which arose from it. It alsoquestioned the assurance of the priesthood. Also, the Buddhist movementwas open to people of all castes, denying that a persons price could bejudged by their blood.The religion of Buddhism has 150 to 350 million followers nearthe world. The wide range is due to two reasons. The tendency forreligious affiliation to be nonexclusive is one. The other is thedifficulty in getting information from communist countries such as China.Its followers have divided into two briny branches Theravada andMahayana. Theravada, the behavior of the elders, is controlling in India, SriLanka, Burma, Laos, Tha iland, and Cambodia. Mahayana, the greater vehicle,refers to the Theravada as Hinayana, the lesser vehicle. It is dominant inIndia, Tibet, Japan, Nepal, Taiwan, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia.Siddhartha Guatama was born in Kapilivastu. His father was theruler of the small body politic near the Indian/Nepal border. As a child, hisfuture was foretold by sages. They believed that he would someday be afellow sage or draw of a great empire. He led a very pampered and supply life until the age of twenty-nine. It was at that time that herealized that he had led an empty life. He renounced his wealth andembarked on a expedition to seek truth, insight, and the cycle ofrebirths.In the first years of his journey, Siddhartha Guatama practicedyoga and became winding in radical asceticism. after a short time, hegave up that life for one of a middle path between daftness and self-denial. He meditated under a bo tree until he reached true enlightenmentby rising through a series of high er states of consciousness. Afterrealizing this religious informal truth, he went through a time of innerstruggle. Renaming himself Buddha (meaning enlightened one), he wanderedfrom place to place, preaching, spreading his teachings by word of mouth.He also gained disciples, who were grouped into a monastic communityknown as a sangha.As he neared his death, Buddha refused a successor. He told hisfollowers to feat hard to find their salvation. After his death, it wasdecided that a new way to keep the communitys unity and purity was needed,since the teachings of Buddha were spoken only.