Exploring religions: Buddhism
An oft-requested topic from nearly a decade ago, today’s column restarts a series on minority religions.
Albert Einstein had this to say of Buddhism:
“Buddhism has the characteristics of… a cosmic religion for the future. It transcends a personal god, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural and spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity.”
The world’s fourth-largest religion began with Indian prince-turned-monk, Siddhartha Gautama. Around 500 B.C.E, young Prince Siddharta abandoned his Himalayan throne, family, and wealth to witness and understand the world’s suffering, meditate upon it, and develop a philosophy to improve it.
The title “buddha” means “one who has awakened.”
Buddhism has evolved over time and varies by culture. Some Buddhists consider it less a religion than a philosophy for living; most of the world’s 370 million Buddhists are atheists. Many others practice it as a religion, headed by the 14th Dalai Lama — the Buddha of Compassion. Buddhism forbids none of these approaches, allowing for individual interpretations to lead to enlightenment.
The first Buddha told his students, “Do not follow me,” emphasizing that worship of another was not the path to enlightenment. Buddhists believe enlightenment is found only within oneself, and while guides are helpful, the journey is individual. Other religions are considered not wrong, but simply different paths.
The Buddhist path involves four “noble truths:”
1. Suffering is universal
2. Desire is the root of suffering (wishing for control of things, events, or people)
3. Suffering ceases by letting go of desire (thus achieving nirvana)
4. Wisdom is gained through kind acts and mindfulness (via meditation).
Buddhists believe mindfulness and meditation leads to truth, self-awareness, and relief from the mind’s negativity and suffering. Compassion thus becomes easier, and leads to happiness, because it reduces suffering; living things are interconnected, so one ripple affects the entirety. The concept of karma — that every act has an effect on self and others — also reflects the actor’s intentions. There is no heaven or hell in Buddhism, but there is Nirvana — a state of total liberation from suffering.
As Buddhism developed over the centuries, other beliefs and practices were introduced by its followers, varying by country and culture. Among these is reincarnation. The idea is the body taken in the next life depends upon the knowledge and enlightenment gained in the previous one.
Speaking of incarnations, next time: Hinduism — no, it’s not polytheistic.
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email Sholeh@cdapress.com.