Buddhism
5 In our discussion of mainstream religion, Buddhism will stand out for some very obvious reasons. 2The main distinction is that there is no god in Buddhist beliefs.
3Buddhism has between 400 and 500 million adherents, making it the fourth most populous belief system in the world. 4Most of the world s Buddhists live in China and Southeast Asia, though there are followers of this faith all over the world.
5Because there is no deity figure in Buddhism, some would say this is more of a lifestyle than a religion. 6But since most aspects of this path are intended as a way of gaining spiritual awareness and to connect with a divine force, it is considered a religion.
General Beliefs
7The overall aim of Buddhism is to gain spiritual awareness and to escape the suffering that comes with a mortal life. 8There is a strong focus on suffering and asceticism through the entire faith.
gOut of all the teachings of Buddha, the Four Noble Truths are at the central core:
1. Life is suffering
2. The cause of suffering is desire
3. Suffering can be ended
4. The path is the end of suffering
10Clearly, this is a very oblique set of ideas that will require more explanation for non-Buddhists to understand. 11The general idea is that all suffering in life comes from earthly desires, and only through the Buddhist path (the Eightfold Path) can this cycle of suffering be ended. 12Since Buddhists believe in karma and reincarnation, this suffering is part of the cycle that runs from one lifetime to the next.
13The Noble Eightfold Path outlines the ways you need to live in order to free yourself from worldly desires and suffering of mortal life:
1. Right view
2. Right intention
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration
14Like the Noble Truths, these are also vague and open to interpretation.
15Besides these specific doctrines, there are other beliefs that are crucial to the understanding of Buddhism. 16The seeking of wisdom and knowledge is vital, as is the use of meditation to further free your mind from worldly constraints.
There are 2 main paths of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana. l8The Vajrayana sect is popular in Tibet but is much smaller than either of the two primary groups, as such, it is not considered a major division within the faith.
One of the primary differences between the two schools is that Theravada seeks enlightenment for the individual whereas Mahayana has a larger goal of enlightenment for al l living beings. 20The specific holy texts vary from one school to the other, though the main text of the Pali Canon is common to both (more on this in the next section).
Mahayana Buddhism is more ritualistic than Theravada, and has much more elaborate temples. 22Overall, the Theravada school is a more simpler version of Buddhism than the Mahayana, but there are many smaller underlying differences between the two.
Holy Texts
23As with Hinduism, there isn t one central text used by Buddhist followers. 24Several writings from the time of Buddha are used as spiritual guides, and different ancient texts are used to varying degrees by the two branches.
25The central text is called the Pali Canon, originally an oral text, until finally being committed to writing about 450 years after the death of Buddha. 261t contains three sections, called pitakas.
27The Vinaya Pitaka covers the rules of conduct and behaviour for Buddhist monks and nuns. 28The Sutta Pitaka is a mix of content that usually covers the life of Buddha, his conversations and teachings. 29The last pitaka is the Abhidhamma Pitaka which is mostly unique to the Theravada school, and it contains a collection of metaphysical and philosophical teachings that are more esoteric than the rest.
30Within the Mahayana school, they also use another text called the Sutras (or Suttas). 3lAgain, this is a large collection of separate writings that can t really be described as a whole because they cover a wide range of principles and were written by many different people.
Proselytising
32Though Buddhists are usually happy to teach and share their faith, it is uncommon for them to actively seek to convert others. 33As with many other eastern religions, their position is that everyone can find their own way to the Divine and that no one religion is better or more true than the other. 341n this regard, there is no reason why a Buddhist would feel the need to convert anyone.
Concept of Sin
35As a religion that embraces karma and reincarnation, Buddhism contains no real concept of sin.
36For someone following the Eightfold Path, behaviour that would pull them away from the right actions might be considered a sin, but that is only a rough approximation. 37The term really isn t used in Buddhism. 38The closest idea might be the five Precepts, given as acts to be avoided in the Suttas.
39They are:
1. Destroying living things
2. Stealing
3. Sexual misconduct
4. Lying
5. Intoxicating drink and drugs
40The text outlining these sins is quite long, but here is one quote from the Pali:
“Furthermore, abandoning lying, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from lying. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the fourth gift. (Abhisanda Sutta 8:39)
Afterlife
41The idea of reincarnation (that our souls travel in an endless cycle of lifetimes) is a very important part of Buddhist belief. 42Buddhists say that we continue in this cycle until finally freeing ourselves by following the Eightfold Path. 43That goal is called nirvana, and though it could be seen as a form of heaven , it doesn t exist as a mythical paradise.
44Since life is seen as being made up of suffering, the idea of releasing it is considered the ultimate blessing. 45Nirvana is a mixture of nothingness, eternal peace and joy, though not the equivalent of Christians heaven.