Buddhism
Overview:
Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life.
Geography:
The most practiced regions are East Asia, South East Asia and some parts of South Asia. The most practiced countries are Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos,Sri Lanka for the Theravada Buddhism and Tibet, Bhutan, China, Korea, Japan for Mahayana Budhism.
Diffusion:
Buddhism began to spread southwards from its place of origin in northern India to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indo-China and other South East Asian countries. It also moved northwards into the Himalayan kingdoms (Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal), Tibet, Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia, and also into China, Korea and Japan.
Universal or Ethnic:
The religion of Buddhism is universal as a person can be of any ethic, national or racial background and become a Buddhist
Monotheistic or Polytheistic:
Buddhists do believe in multiple gods, called Devas, Naraka and Asuras therefore Buddhism is polytheistic.
Founder/Origins:
Siddhārtha Gautama also known as Buddha Shakyamuni, born in Lumbini founded Budhism
Major Branches/Denominations:
- Theravada Buddhism
- Mahayana Buddhism (sometimes called Northern Buddhism) is
- Vajrayāna Buddhism
- Tibetan Buddhism
- Zen Buddhism.
Sacred Text:
- Lumbini- Where the Buddha was born
- Deer Park- First Sermon
- Kushingar- Place of passing away
Doctrine:
Calendar:
People who practice Buddhism use the lunisorlar calendar. It has months that are alternately 29 and 30 days, with an intercalated day and a 30-day month added at regular intervals.
Symbol:
Holy Places:
- Lopburi, Nepal: birthplace of the
- Bodh Gaya: Where the Buddha reached enlightenment.
Architecture:
The Buddhist architecture has its root deeply implanted in the Indian soil- the birthplace of the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddhist architecture began with the development of various symbols, representing aspects of the Buddha’s life (563 BCE – 483 BCE).
- Caves
Caves or grottoes are the oldest form of the Buddhist architecture. They are also known as the rock-cut monasteries, which were hewn from the cliffs and rock walls of the valleys. The Buddhist caves traces back their beginning around 100 BCE. - Stupas
The Stupas holds the most important place among all the earliest Buddhist sculptures. A Stupa is a dome-shaped monument, used to house Buddhists’ relics or to commemorate significant facts of Buddhism. - Pagodas
Pagodas are the principle form of Buddhist architecture, which are used as religious multistory Buddhist towers, erected as a memorial or shrine. - Temples And Monasteries
The Buddhist temples and monasteries, found in every Buddhist country, form another example of the Buddhist architecture. The Buddhist temples in India are superb examples of the temple architecture with the most prominent one at Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi temple), the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Fun Facts:
Basic vocabulary of Buddhism:
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhavocab.html
By Erica W.
Melissa S.
Jasmine D.