| Buddhism is based on the teachings of Lord Buddha. | | | | follow 1) right view, 2) right intention, 3) right speech, 4) |
| Though many people consider it a philosophy, it is the | | | | right action, 5) right livelihood, 6) right effort, 7) right |
| fifth most followed religion in the world. Whatever you | | | | mindfulness and 8) right concentration. It is these |
| think it is - a religion or a philosophy - knowing more | | | | eightfold path that lead to the attainment of truth about |
| about Buddhism is always extremely fruitful. The story | | | | life and freedom from sufferings. |
| of Lord Buddha itself is so interesting that it | | | | The Five Precepts lay down the moral conducts for |
| encourages further reading and understanding of | | | | Buddhists so that they refrain from evil deeds and lead |
| Buddhism. Here's the story and info on basic principles | | | | a pious life. |
| of Buddhism, Buddhist countries and sites worth visiting. | | | | You can find more info on basic Buddhism -Buddhanet |
| Lord Buddha And Buddhism | | | | Contribution of Ashoka |
| An Indian prince born to Sakya chieftain, Suddhodhana, | | | | The rise and spread of Buddhism in India and abroad |
| Lord Buddha, found little pleasure in the luxuries of his | | | | owes a lot to Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. He was an |
| palace life from the very beginning. His father desired | | | | ambitious king who was so moved by bloodshed in a |
| him to be a king and did his best to bind him in worldly | | | | war that he abandoned brutality and took to Buddhism. |
| responsibilities, however, the prince had more of a | | | | The teachings of Lord Buddha influenced him greatly |
| spiritual bent of mind. | | | | and he sent missionaries to different countries to |
| For a long time Suddhodhana managed to keep | | | | propogate the message of peace. Sri Lanka and |
| Siddhartha (that was the name of Lord Buddha when | | | | Myanmar were two such countries where he sent his |
| he was a prince) within the walls of the palace. The | | | | missionaries. With very less percentage of people |
| prince was not aware of the miseries of the human | | | | following Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka, today, is the |
| life. But one fine day Siddhartha managed to get out of | | | | oldest Buddhist country in the world. |
| the palace and what he saw shook him completely. | | | | Buddhism in Other Countries |
| There, on the road, he saw an old man, a sick man | | | | Though Buddhism is not a dominant religion in India, |
| and a corpse. Siddhartha had never known miseries, | | | | there are other countries that have a major portion of |
| pain, death and other negative aspects of life, hence | | | | population following the teachings of the Buddha. |
| this event had a great effect on his life. He now | | | | Thailand is at the top spot with around 95% of people |
| wished to know the reason for human existence, the | | | | following Buddhism. It is closely followed by Cambodia |
| reason for life and death. He abandoned his palace, | | | | (90%), Myanmar (88%), Bhutan (75%) and Sri Lanka |
| wife and newly born son; lived a life of extreme | | | | (70%). You can find more stats on Buddhism, today, is |
| austerity in search of inner peace and travelled from | | | | also gaining prominence in the west. People in Europe |
| one place to another. Finally, under a tree in Bodhgaya, | | | | and America are becoming more and more aware of |
| he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. | | | | the teachings of the Buddha. The translation of |
| For the next 45 years, Lord Buddha spread his | | | | Buddhist texts in English is further improving the reach |
| teachings by travelling to different parts of India. | | | | of Buddhism to other parts of the world. |
| The Basic Principles of Buddhism | | | | Buddhist Sites of the World |
| At the very base of Buddhism are its principles - the | | | | For all those of you who are interested in visiting |
| four noble truths, the eightfold path and the Five | | | | Buddhist sites and pilgrimage destinations, there is a big |
| Precepts. As per the four noble truths, life is a | | | | list to choose from. Since Buddhism is not confined to |
| suffering and the reason for this is worldly | | | | one country, first you will need to shortlist the country |
| attachments and desires. It is possible for all living | | | | or countries to which you will take a trip to. After this, |
| beings to put an end to their sufferings by following the | | | | do not think that your task is done for in each country |
| eightfold noble path. | | | | you will find a number of Buddhist sites that need to be |
| The Eightfold noble path teaches that it is of | | | | visited. |
| paramount importance to understand, cultivate and | | | | |