Buddhism

Buddhism

Buddhism Is a religion founded by Siddharta Gautama, referred to as the historical Buddha. It absorbed extant traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices from Hindu and other religions in creating a belief system aimed at helping practitioners escape the cycle of rebirth. Karma is an important concept in Buddhism. The sum of one's actions, whether they are good or bad accumulate, and the results are acquired by one’s Karma. One's Karma will help determine, Samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. One can only be free from this if they have achieved enlightenment from the goals the Buddha has set.

Brief History of Buddhism-

It is said that the creator of Buddhism was born in the southern area of what we know as Nepal today. He was born into royalty but set off to find the true meaning of human suffering by becoming a monk. His name was Siddhartha.

After many years of searching, he had finally discovered the nature of existence, and a decided that he would teach others of what he had learned. It is also said that when he had died, he had attained nirvana (the final release from earthly suffering). His followers wrote down his teachings and spread his message to the world. Those texts are called sutras. There are many sects of Buddhism, but the ones practiced in Japan are of the Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle") school, which was brought to Japan from China and is based on Sanskrit and Chinese sutras.

In Japan during the late Heian period, the school of Pure Land Buddhism was very commonly practiced. Those who had recited the works of Buddha would be reborn in the Pure Land, rather than face a terrible fate in Buddhist Hell.

For more on Buddhism, see (find good sources).

Works Cited:

Andrews, Allan A. World Rejection and Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. Nanzan University, Dec. 1977, www.jstor.org/stable/30233147.

Tyler, Royall, translator. The Tale of the Heike. Viking, Penguin Group, 2012.