Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the major religions of the world and in fact the fourth largest religion today. “It is the majority tradition of the Asian countries of Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Tibet, Bhutan, and Japan (Lester 11).I chose to study this religion because I do not know too much about it, and it holds a different view from the Christian religion. It is so interesting and fascinating to study about the different religions in the world, because there are so many and they all vary extremely. Buddhism has been around for more than 25 hundred years, and stills stands popular today. It was first started around 500 BC by the teacher Buddha (World Book Encyclopedia). With about 3 million followers, Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha found Tripitaka, which explains how moderation and meditation can lead to nirvana, salvation, from human suffering.
Siddhartha Gautama was the first Buddha. Gautama was born around 563 BC in Northeast India (World Book Encyclopedia). Buddha’s life story is quite legendary is nature. Buddha was born in Nepal, and he was to live a life of luxury and loyalty (“Buddhism). Before Gautama became Buddha, he was the prince of an Indian clan. Through an omen, Gautama’s parents were made aware that he was destined to become a religious leader (”Buddhism”). Buddha did not grow up with a Buddhist background, where he was raised Hindu. Gautama’s parents encouraged him to take pleasure in materialistic and earthy luxuries rather than religious beliefs (“Buddhism”).
Once Gautama was married and had a son, around the age of twenty-nine, he had four visions. His first vision was on of helplessness, when he saw an old man who seemed to be having some difficulties. His second vision was one of a s ...