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