natiBuddhism-Morgan

= = = __Buddhism__ =  The religion Buddhism is thought to be not a religion, but a philosophy. There is no god, just a goal to become the Buddha, or enlightened one. They have guidelines to become a Buddha. They are the Eightfold Path, The Four Noble Truths, The Hidrances, and The Ten Perfections.

The **__Eightfold__ Path ** is:


 * Right view
 * Right thought
 * Right speech
 * Right action
 * Right livelihood
 * Right effect
 * Right mindfulness
 * Right contemplation

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The **__Four Noble Truths__ ** are: =====

 The **<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Hidrances__ **<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> are:
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Suffering exists.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Suffering arises from attachment to desires.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the eightfold path.

<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The **<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Ten Perfection__ **<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__s__ are:
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sensuous lust
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Aversion and ill will
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sloth and torpor
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Restlessness and worry
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Skeptical doubt

<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * 1) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Generosity
 * 2) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Morality
 * 3) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Renunciation
 * 4) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Wisdom
 * 5) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Energy
 * 6) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Patience
 * 7) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Truthfulness
 * 8) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Resolution
 * 9) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Loving- Kindness
 * 10) <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Equanimity

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in the time period of 563 B.C - 483 B.C. He was originally a prince who had everything he ever needed. His father would not let him leave the palace and see how other people lived. One day, he escaped and saw a sick man, a poor man, and a man who was dying. He compared his life to their's and saw how fortunate he was and wanted to help them. Then he made a decision to leave his life at the palace and live on the "middle path." He then began to meditate, and follow the religion Buddhism. He was the first Buddha.

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Religious Leaders
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The religious leaders of this religion is the Dalai Lama. The current one is Tenzin Gyastso. He is the fourteenth one so far. The Dalai Lama is head of the religion and controls everything.

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Place of Worship
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The place of worship for Buddhism is a Vihara. Which means "dwelling" or "refuge." There, Buddhists can go meditate, study, and pray with others, like monks or other followers of Buddhism. Also they have a Sangha. This is a monk and nun's community in a monastery. They usually go to these places at least once a week. Otherwise, they meditate and study at their homes, or other peaceful environments.

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Buddhism in the Beginning and Now
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Buddhism originated in India along the Gangi River around 2,600 years ago. It now is mainly practiced in Southeast Asia but also many places around the world. The religion wasn't really that popular in the beginning, but it has spread throughout the world and is now one of the five major religions.

Beliefs
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Some of the beliefs of this religion is that many meditate. They believe that this relieves stress and helps with living a healthy life style. This helps them to realize, and utilize the Buddhists teachings. They also believe in reincarnation. So your "next life" is affected by your life now. That's why Buddhists try to live in the middle path so that they come back as a Buddha in their next life. They also believe in Nirvana. Which is like their heaven. Also they believe in fasting for long periods of time. Whe they do this they can't sleep on a couch or matress, can't eat or drink anything, and can't have any physical contact with people. They just pray and meditate all day long.

Sacred Writings
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Buddhist have a book called the Tripitaka. It is written in an ancient Indian language called Palr; which is very close to the language that Buddhist used to speak long ago. They also have another book called Sutras. This has all the steps, commandments, and other things that the religion requires you to follow.

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Festivals and Celebrations
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Buddhist festivals aim to celebrate the important days in the life of Buddha and to introduce the newer generation to his teachings and philosophers. Examples of this is Obon and Vesak. Which are two major holidays celebrated.

Symbols
<span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Buddhists generally have many statues of meditating people, life pictures, and nature. Also there is a wheel like symbol which represents the Buddhist religion. They usually have these things in the rooms of their home for decoration, the place where they study and meditate, or on jewelry they wear.

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Facts about Buddhism:

 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">You can't do drugs or drink alcohol.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Believe in the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6% of the world's population practice Buddhism. (That's roughly 376 million people.)
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Meditate.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Give a Dana (gift of food and clothing,) to people when they have parties, or are sick.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Believe in karma.
 * <span style="color: #0088ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Three qualities that Buddhists need to acquire is wisdom, morality, and to master meditation.