| If you take a long look into history you would see that | | | | There is no right or wrong way in becoming a Buddhist. |
| religion has shaped most of history's events. It may be | | | | Usually most people are introduced to Buddhism |
| the conquering nation that has one religion and wishes | | | | through a friend or relative. It is quite normal to have |
| to spread its beliefs. In the past two thousand years | | | | questions when you are confronted by a faith that is |
| Christianity has become one of the most popular | | | | entirely different than the one you had growing up. |
| religious choices. But it is not the most popular. Do you | | | | Knowledge is fundamental to understanding this |
| know what the most popular religion/spiritualism is in | | | | spiritual way of life. |
| the world? It is Buddhism. This unique lifestyle and | | | | You can declare yourself a Buddhist but unless you |
| religion dates back centuries and has hundreds of | | | | know about the practices and philosophies, you are |
| millions of followers. | | | | merely a shadow of what a Buddhist truly is. There |
| It is a spiritual journey into Nirvana that drives | | | | are many great resources on the internet and in |
| practitioners to lead faithful lives and do what is | | | | bookstores. Many Buddhist's have local chapters and |
| deemed correct. There are even many people who | | | | they gather together to meditate and talk about their |
| practice parts of Buddhism that are not Buddhist in any | | | | beliefs. |
| way. Yoga is a very popular activity but one that | | | | What are some of the Buddhist concepts? |
| stems from this spirituality. In this article we will cover | | | | One of the philosophies that Buddha strongly believed |
| the basics of this spirituality and religion. Hopefully it will | | | | in and spoke of often was that nothing in this life is |
| shed some light on a culture that has gained in | | | | permanent. Everything goes away. He believed that |
| popularity in Western Civilizations. | | | | attachment to physical goods and status were the |
| When did Buddhism originate? | | | | downfall of man. There are other tenants such as not |
| That is a difficult question to answer. Some people | | | | harming others that are practiced throughout the world. |
| believe that the start of Buddhism occurred when | | | | Many people believe that this is a pacifist's view of life |
| Buddha was born. Others consider the start to be | | | | but it is one that Buddhism embraces. |
| when he actually achieved enlightenment and began | | | | Why is meditation so important in Buddhism? |
| teaching is followers. If you follow the belief that it | | | | Meditation is very important to Buddhism. It is the |
| began with his birth then that would put the date | | | | cornerstone of the entire religion or spirituality. |
| roughly at 556 BC. | | | | Meditation is how Siddhartha became Buddha. It was |
| If you follow the belief that it began at his | | | | through carefully examining his life and the world |
| enlightenment then it dates around 531 BC. As you can | | | | around him that he became aware of the true path to |
| see it is a very old religion that dates back well before | | | | happiness or enlightenment. Meditation is the one |
| many modern religions. The story is a fascinating blend | | | | tenant of Buddhism that is found in all of the different |
| of fiction and fantasy. As with many noted spiritual | | | | sects. The sects may vary on the correct path or on |
| leaders found in religions throughout the world, Buddha | | | | what to indulge or abstain from but meditation is the |
| was said to have communicated with the gods. | | | | key to finding the answers to death, sickness and |
| How does someone become a Buddhist? | | | | happiness. |