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helping kids

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Buddhists do not believe that the Buddha is a god They believe he was a human being who became enlightened life in the deepest way possible.

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Buddhists believe that one day, while sitting under the Bodhi Tree -- huge fig tree in Bodh Gaya

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Buddha had studied for five or more years

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Buddhism originated in India, based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Gautama Buddha. A Buddha is one who is said to be awake to the truth of life. Buddha is a Pali word which means "the awakened one." According to Buddhism, there were countless Buddhas before Gautama Buddha, and there will be many Buddhas after him.

Over the centuries, Gautama Buddha's teachings spread from Nepal to Central Asia, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Europe, North, and South America. Theravada Buddhism is most common in South Asia; Mahayana is most common further north. Buddhism exists in many different strands today, but all versions share basic ideas. About seven percent of the people of the world are Buddhist.

While many people see Buddhism as a religion, others see it as a philosophy, and others as a way of finding reality.

Background and Buddhist concepts

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) began life as the infant prince of a small kingdom in what is now the southern part of Nepal. As an adult, he left wealth and status behind to search for truth. The Buddha spent the next 45 years of his life traveling and teaching in the northern part of India. He died at the age of 80.

The Buddha focused much of his teaching on how to overcome suffering. He saw that all living things suffer. He taught that by overcoming suffering, a person will be truly happy.

He began teaching holy men or monks the Four Noble Truths of Life and the Eightfold Noble Path (see below). These teachings identify the causes of suffering and their cure. The Buddha taught that there are three marks of existence: He said life is best understood as being impermanent (everything changes), unsatisfactory (left on our own we are never truly happy), and interdependent (all things are linked).

In discussing suffering, the Buddha identified the "three poisons" of desire, anger, and stupidity, and he showed that we could end our suffering by letting go of desires and overcoming anger and stupidity.

The complete letting go of negative influences is called Nirvana, meaning "to extinguish," like putting out the flame of a candle. This end of suffering is also called Enlightenment. In Buddhism, Enlightenment and Nirvana often mean the same thing.

The Buddha taught that living in balance is the best way to live. He called this "the middle way." He also recommended meditation as a way to train the mind to see the world as it is.

The Buddha taught that actions have consequences for good or bad. People who make good decisions will be happier and have more peace of mind. This is called karma.

Another teaching of Buddhism is reincarnation - the idea that when people die, they will be reborn as someone or something else. They live their life the best they can in hopes of reincarnating as something better until they eventually reach enlightenment.

Buddhists would not say whether or not there is a God or gods. Buddhists do not believe that people should look to gods to save them or bring them enlightenment. Instead, they believe individuals should work out their own path the best they can. Many of the Buddha's ideas are found in other Indian religions, especially Hinduism.

Beliefs of Buddhism

The three jewels

Buddhists respect and treasure the Three Jewels, which are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

The Buddha refers to the awakened one, the Dharma to the Buddha's teachings, and the Sangha to the people who follow the Buddha and his teachings.

Buddhists say "I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha." They find comfort in these jewels or treasures.

Four Noble Truths

The Buddha's first and most important teachings are the Four Noble Truths.

1. Life is suffering.

2. The reason for this suffering is that we want things to be a certain way.

3. The way to cure suffering is to rise above this desire.

4. The way to rise above desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path, practices which help us change our minds and understanding.

Noble Eightfold Path

The Buddha told people to follow a special way of life called the Noble Eightfold Path if they want to understand the Four Noble Truths. These are:

1. Appropriate views. Know and understand the Four Noble Truths.

2. Appropriate thought. Turn your mind away from the world and toward the Dharma.

3. Appropriate speech. Tell the truth, don't gossip, and don't talk badly about others.

4. Appropriate conduct. Don't commit evil acts, like killing, stealing, or living an unclean life.

5. Appropriate livelihood. Earn your money in a way that doesn't harm anyone.

6. Appropriate effort. Work to make your mind more good and less evil.

7. Appropriate mindfulness. Remember the Dharma and apply it all the time.

8. Appropriate meditation. Practice meditation as a way of understanding reality.

Five precepts

Buddhists are encouraged to follow five precepts, or guidelines:

1. I will not hurt a person or animal that is alive.

2. I will not take something if it was not given to me.

3. I will not engage in sexual misconduct.

4. I will not lie or say things that hurt people.

5. I will not take intoxicants causing heedlessness.

If a person wants to be a monk or nun, he or she will follow other precepts as well.

Interesting facts about Buddhism

The term "Buddhism" was invented by Western scholars in the 1830s. Buddhists don't refer to their religion as "Buddhism."

The Buddha founded an order of monks and nuns known as the Sangha who have preserved his teachings.

Because of its emphasis on meditation and mindfulness, Buddhism is often considered to be a form of psychology rather than a religion.

In Buddhism, there is no single holy book.

Buddhists do not believe in a supreme being or creator God.

A Buddha is a person who has reached enlightenment.

Buddhist monks and nuns shave their hair.

In Buddhism, each person must work their way to enlightenment.

Related pages

Images for kids

An aniconic depiction of the Buddha's spiritual liberation ( moksha) or awakening ( bodhi), at Sanchi. The Buddha is not depicted, only symbolized by the Bodhi tree and the empty seat.

Living at the root of a tree ( trukkhamulik'anga) is one of the dhutaṅgas, a series of optional ascetic practices for Buddhist monastics.

A section of the Northern wall mural at the Lukhang Temple depicting tummo, the three channels ( nadis) and phowa

A Buddhist triad depicting, left to right, a Kushan, the future buddha Maitreya, Gautama Buddha, the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, and a monk. Second-third century. Guimet Museum

Frontispiece of the Chinese Diamond Sūtra, the oldest known dated printed book in the world

In Spanish: Budismo para niños

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God sent to the world to save humans

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Jesus and Followers

Christianity grew out of Judaism in the Middle East. In about 29 ce a Jew named Jesus began to preach in Galilee. He attracted many followers because of his healing powers and his religious teachings. But people in power feared that he might lead an uprising, and they put him to death. The Bible holds that Jesus rose from the dead three days after being put to death, spent 40 days on Earth, and then was taken up to heaven.

For many years, Jesus' followers continued to practice religion in the same way as Jews, except they believed that Jesus was a savior sent from God. In the 1st century ce a missionary named Paul helped separate Christianity and Judaism into two distinct religions.

Spread of Christianity

To help spread Jesus' teachings, some early Christians wrote about him. Writings by four men-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John-were chosen as the standard account of Jesus' life and teaching. These four narratives now form part of the New Testament.

In the early days of the church, the Roman Empire controlled most of the Mediterranean region. Life was difficult and dangerous for Christians living within the empire. They were treated harshly for their beliefs. In 312 ce, however, the Roman emperor converted to Christianity. By the end of the 300s, Christianity was the empire's official religion. This power helped secure Christianity's place in the world.

Christianity in the Middle Ages

Christianity continued to gain strength during the Middle Ages, a period from about 500 to 1500. Its leaders became powerful and wealthy, and the church was the chief cultural institution in Europe.

But as Christianity expanded, it could not remain unified. In 1054 the Eastern church at Constantinople separated from the Western church in Rome because of differences in beliefs and practices. This split created the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Roman Catholic church.

Another major development was the Crusades. In the 11th century a Muslim Turkish empire conquered Southwest Asia, including many places associated with Jesus. Over the next two centuries, armies of European Christians fought Muslim forces in the Middle East, partly in an attempt to recapture the Holy Land.

Modern Period

In the 1500s a German priest named Martin Luther began to question certain practices and teachings of the Roman Catholic church. Luther's criticism helped bring about the religious revolution known as the Reformation. As a result, various reformers eventually founded the first Protestant churches.

As Christianity flourished in Europe, Christians came to believe that their religion should be taught to people in other lands. Beginning in the 16th century and continuing into the 21st, Christian missionaries brought their faith to parts of Africa, Asia, and North and South America. These efforts helped make Christianity the most widespread religion in the world.

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With some 2 billion followers, Christianity is the world's most widespread religion. Christianity is based on the life, death, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The...

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The first step in becoming a Buddhist is taking refuge in the Three Jewels. By taking refuge, we commit ourselves to the Buddhist Path and following the Buddha's teachings. The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. They are called jewels because they are the most precious things to Buddhists.
Some people think there is only one Buddha, but there are many Buddhas. The four great Buddhas of our time are:
1. Shakyamuni, the Enlightened Buddha

2. Amitabha, the Buddha of Limitless Light

3. Medicine Master, the Buddha of Healing

4. Maitreya, the future Buddha

Buddhists do not believe that the Buddha is a god. They believe he was a human being who became enlightened, understanding life in the deepest way possible. The Buddha told people not to worship him, but to take responsibility for their own lives and actions. He did not speak of a creator, but of a wonderful force of energy that links all beings together from time without beginning.
Buddhism does not have a bible, but many holy books.
The teachings of the Buddha were passed down by word of mouth and not written down until around 400 hundred years later. They were compiled into three sets and written on long narrow leaves and stored in baskets, called the "Three Baskets" or Tripitaka. The Three Baskets are:

1. Vinaya: Rules of conduct for monks and nuns.

2. Sutras: The Buddhas' teachings (suttas in Pali)

3. Abhidharma: Philosophy
Buddhists believe in karma, the law of cause and effect.
Karma is a fair and just rule. It is like a boomerang. Every action and every thought we have, good or bad, will come back to us in the future. We have a choice to create new karma by what we say, do, and think. Intention is a major part of karma. If we accidentally step on an ant, we do not make negative karma. However, if we intend to kill the ant, negative karma is created.
Buddhists see themselves as part of nature, not apart from it.
They do not kill animals or use insecticides or pesticides.
Buddhists believe in rebirth, that each of us has many lives.
The same way there is yesterday, today and tomorrow, we also have past lives, a present life and future lives. We are born, grow old, die, and then are reborn again. This cycle is called the Wheel of Rebirth or saṃsāra. Actions in one life are likely to affect what we become in future lives. Buddhists say that this cycle can be broken by making kind and wise decisions in everything that we do and say. We can eventually become enlightened and reach a state of perfect peace.

Filial respect for parents and family life is the most important teaching of the Buddha. After his own enlightenment, the Buddha returned to teach his family the Dharma, bringing them peace and happiness. When his father became old and sick, the Buddha stayed by his bedside and washed and fed him.

The Buddha was the first to ordain women and untouchables in the history of religion. He believed that everyone had the same potential for enlightenment. His aunt Prajapati, his wife Yashodhara, and his half-sister Sundhari became the first Buddhist nuns.

Buddhist monks and nuns rely on the kindness of donors for their food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. In Southeast Asia, some monks and nuns go on alms round. They do not ask for food, but silently accept whatever is put in their bowls. This is not considered begging, but an opportunity for laypeople to create blessings.

Lay people are valuable in Buddhism, because they support the monks and nuns, so they can carry on the Buddha's work. In this way the sangha and lay people benefit each other and together keep the Dharma alive.
In some Buddhist countries it is common for young boys to live some time as monks as part of their training and education.

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Buddhism Facts for Kids | Basic Buddhist Facts

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The first step in becoming a Buddhist is taking refuge in the Three Jewels. By taking refuge, we commit ourselves to the Buddhist Path and following the Buddha's teachings. The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. They are called jewels because they are the most precious things to Buddhists.

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A resident of Riverside, California, Timothy Peckinpaugh began writing in 2006 for U.S. History Publishers, based in Temecula, California. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor's degree in English.

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A resident of Riverside, California, Timothy Peckinpaugh began writing in 2006 for U.S. History Publishers, based in Temecula, California. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor's degree in English.

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you can read the bible anytime

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File

Rev. Yme Woensdregt
OPINION: How the Bible works

I've written about this before, and then I had another one of those conversations. She asked me, "Don't you believe in the Bible?" I said, "No. Christians aren't called to believe in the Bible. We are called to trust God."

She asked again, "But didn't God write the Bible to teach us how to live?"

Again, I responded, "No. The Bible is a record of how ancient people reflected on their relationship with God. The Bible is important-but it is only a tool which helps us think about the main thing, which is our relationship with God."

So let me write once again about four things which I believe are true about the Bible.

1. The Bible is not a single book. It is a library of sixty-six books by different authors written over the course of about 1250 years. These books contain diverse kinds of literature: poetry, letters, wisdom sayings, prophetic oracles, genealogies, census reports, ancient myths, hymns, laments, historical writing, short novellas, apocalyptic writing, gospels, and so on.

2. The Bible contains diverse theologies and perspectives. Each of the books reflects the personality of the author and the social context in which it was written. Because there is such a diversity of authors and editors, it is natural to find contradictions throughout the Bible. It's like writing an account of the history of the earth, one writer writing in 1300 and the other in the year 2010. You would get entirely different stories.

When we encounter those contradictions, our natural impulse is to try to harmonize them. But we should not give in to that temptation. These contradictions simply reflect the different purpose and time in which they were written. They show us diverse ways of thinking about God. After all, it is not uncommon for people to disagree with each other about what God is like. The interesting thing about these contradictions is that from an historical perspective, God's spirit is always moving God's people towards openness, welcome, inclusion, acceptance, and affirmation.

Let me give just three examples.

Deuteronomy 23 says that Moabites are bad and should never be allowed to dwell among God's people. Centuries later, we read the short novella of Ruth, a Moabite, who is honoured as the grandmother of King David.

Again, the prophet Nahum says that God despises the people of Nineveh. Many centuries later, the prophet Jonah warns the Ninevites that God will destroy them. When they repent, God relents, and even Jonah must imagine a God who is larger than anything we can imagine, a God who yearns to be with all God's people of every creed and colour.

A third example is the story of Jesus' birth. There are two distinct versions of the story. We usually try to harmonize Matthew and Luke; as a result, we end up with a very crowded stable: Mary, Joseph and the baby surrounded by shepherds, magi, sheep, camels, and angels. But Matthew doesn't say anything about a manger or shepherds. Luke doesn't say anything about magi. They are two different stories, written to two different communities, with each author's unique perspective on what the birth of Jesus means.

There are other such instances ... which leads to my third point.

3. The various writings of the Bible are windows onto the times in which they were written. The gospels and other "historical" writings were never intended to be unbiased historical reporting. These reports were written decades or even centuries after the event.

For example, the stories about King David are not a "life of David". Rather, they show us how later generations came to understand the significance of David long after his death. In the same way, the gospel stories of Jesus are not a "life of Jesus". All four evangelists tell the story from their own point of view, about a generation or two after the events they describe.

4. Both Old and New Testaments took shape in response to a crisis. The Old Testament was edited and collated in response to the crisis of Israel's exile in Babylon from 586-539 bce. It was a crisis of unimaginable proportions. Ancient Judaism had to rethink the very ground of its existence. The armies of Babylon destroyed the Temple and took the people away from the land they thought God had promised to them. They lost everything.

The Old Testament was composed or edited in response to that crisis and reflects the perspective of that time. Without an exile, we might not even have an Old Testament to recount the story of God's dealings with Israel.

The New Testament includes writings from as early as 52 ce (the letters which Paul wrote) to as late as 125. The list of writings which our Bible includes didn't come together until about 345 ce.

It's important to note that there were other writings which were deliberately excluded from the Bible. The church chose these writings because they decided to tell the story of God's dealings with the church in this particular way.

For many people, this will be an entirely new way of looking at the Bible. Scholars have known these truths for at least the last 150 years. What I find exciting about this approach is that it opens doors for us to explore the Bible and our faith from fresh angles.

This isn't about being edgy for edgy's sake. It's about respecting and relating to the Bible's own character. This is how the Bible was put together. It didn't drop down to us from above. It was written by human beings trying to figure out who God was and how we can relate to God.

It means that the Bible is a little messier than we might have thought. But life is messy. And the Bible bears witness to God's presence amid the mess.

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OPINION: How the Bible works - Cranbrook Daily Townsman

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File Rev. Yme Woensdregt I've written about this before, and then I had another one of those conversations. She asked me, "Don't you believe in the Bible?" I said, "No. Christians aren't called to believe in the Bible. We are called to trust God."

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Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem to Mary, a virgin at the time of conception, Joseph, her husband. Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would conceive a son and he would be the Messiah.