Buddhism Reading 1 .docx - Learning About World...

Learning About World
Religions:Buddhism
What are the main beliefs and teachings of Buddhism?
Introduction
Hinduism, which developed in ancient India, is one of the oldest major religions in the
world. But ancient India is also the birth place of another major religion, Buddhism.
Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha (BOO-duh), which means
“Awakened One.” The Buddha was a man who lived in India from about 563 to 483
B.C.E. Before he became known as the Buddha, he was a young prince named Siddhartha
Gautama (si-DAHR-tuh GOW-tuh-muh).
Prince Siddhartha grew up surrounded by wealth in the palaces of his father. At the age
of 29, Siddhartha left his royal life to go in search of spiritual peace. During his journeys, he
learned great truths that changed his life. By sharing these truths with others, he began the
religion of Buddhism.
Buddhism was a way of life based on simple teachings. Buddhism also embraced all
people regardless of their social class. It taught people how to reach enlightenment, which
describes happiness that comes from the knowledge of deep truth. Buddhists believed that
once they reached the level of enlightenment, they would escape from the cycle of rebirth.
In this lesson, you will learn about Buddhism through stories that are told about the
Buddha's life. You will find out what Prince Siddhartha discovered during his life and how his
teachings became the basis of Buddhism.
1. Prince Siddhartha's Birth
Prince Siddhartha was born about 563 B.C.E. in the present-day country of Nepal, near
the Himalayas. His father, Suddhodana, was a powerful king. His mother was Queen Maya.
According to Buddhist tradition, before her son was born, the queen had a dream in
which she was carried high over the Himalayas to a silver mountain and set on a silver
couch. A white elephant with six tusks walked around her and then struck her in the right
side.
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The king and queen asked the Brahmins, or Hindu priests, to interpret her dream. “You
are carrying a child who will be a great man,” they told the queen. The Brahmins declared
that the prince's future held two possible paths. As a prince, he could rule the universe. But
if he left his royal life to see the suffering in the world, he would become the Buddha , one
who is enlightened.
The queen gave birth to Prince Siddhartha in a garden. Stories say that after the prince's
birth, a soft, warm rain of heavenly flowers fell on the baby and his mother. According to
Buddhist tradition, the infant prince already looked a few years old and could walk and talk.