Origins
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions today, which originated in India. Buddhism dates back from 5th century BC. This religion arose from the sole experience of one person.
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The Life of the Buddha
Siddhartha was born miraculously from his mother’s side. His mother died a week after childbirth. Siddhartha was raised by his aunt. A sage inspected Siddhartha after his birth. The sage saw special marks on Siddhartha’s body, indicating he would be special.
At his naming ceremony, priests foretold his future. One, that he would follow his father’s footsteps inheriting his position and becoming a great king and two, that if he were to see suffering, he would become a great spiritual leader. Siddhartha’s father wanted him to succeed, so he kept him in a large walled palace. His father also brought over women for Siddhartha when he came of age. Siddhartha disobeyed his father’s command not to leave the royal grounds. He went to near by town and saw the suffering of ordinary life. He came across four passing sights: An old man, corked and toothless, A sick man wasted by disease, A corpse being take for cremation, and a wandering holy man (sannyasin) who had not possessions but seemed to be at peace. At the age of 80 the Buddha ate spoiled food. He sensed his own death, so he called for his disciples who cried over his impending death. He offered these final words of advice---“You must be our own lamps, be your own refuges. Take refuge in nothing outside yourselves. Hold firm to the truth as the lamp and a refuge and do not look for refuge to anything besides yourself.” Soon after he laid on his side and died. |
Reference
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher
Education, 2012. Print.
http://media.patheos.com/Images/Marketing/path_imagery/overview_imagery/TheravadaBuddhism.jpg
https://norwalk.digication.com/gavos/Siddhartha_Gautama
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Education, 2012. Print.
http://media.patheos.com/Images/Marketing/path_imagery/overview_imagery/TheravadaBuddhism.jpg
https://norwalk.digication.com/gavos/Siddhartha_Gautama
https://danuka.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/life-of-the-buddha-3.jpg