NATIBuddhism-Owen

=Buddhism=

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The founder of the religion Buddhism was Buddha. He was a prince that came from a wealthy family. As a child he was shielded from the real world and all of its troubles. Then when he was older he set out to found out more about the world. On this journey he wittnessed things like death, sickness, and age. This impacted his life so much that he gave away all of his money and nearly starved himself to death. While he was meditating under a tree one day day he became enlightened on how to live. This is the reason for his name Buddha or Enlightened One. He realized that life was not about or having something or having nothing, but to live a balanced life called the middle path. When someone succesfully lives a balanced life they are able to go to Nirvana when they die.=====

Religious leaders include Monks, Dahli Lama,and Nuns. Buddhists worship in different places such as shrines, temples, pagodas, sanctuaries, and meditation halls. They read their sacred writings or tipiitakas. Their basics beliefs are, following the four noble truths, the five basic moral precepts , and their man belief is finding their inner self.

This religion also have many images that they worship. These include buddha meditating, eight spoked wheel, parsol, golden fish, treasure vase, lotus conch, endless knot and the victory banner. Although these are a very different looking symbols they all represent finding there inner self and finding Nirvana.

This religion has an very extended list list of holidays. There is buddha day, new year, vesak, magha puja day, asahla puja day, uposatha, pavarana, kathina ceremony, anapanasati, abhidhama day, songkran, loy kethong, ploughing, lelephant festival, ulamba, valokesvara's. These holidays all are celebrated and many times with dancing singing and festive games.

Some of the religious practices is meditation, birth, marriage, and death ceremonies. Also they believe in in life after death or reincarnation.

Today buddhism is practiced all around the world. Although mostly in India. And it has primarily remained in the far east.