Buddhism

Introduction
Buddhism is neither polytheistic or monotheistic. Buddhists do not worship any god. The religion
was founded in founded in Nepal in 563 BCE by Prince Siddhartha Gautama. He was later
known as Buddha. Around 490 million people follow Buddha's teachings and messages. The
countries with the highest amount of followers are China, Thailand, Japan, and Burma. These
countries all contribute to making it the fourth largest religion in the world.

Rituals and Practices

Buddhist base their practices around the rules that are set out for them by Buddha. Buddha
created the eight-fold path to guide Buddhism in the way that they should live their life. It
was created by Buddha and teaches followers eight ways to live. The rules of the eightfold path
include, right understandings, right motivation, moral discipline, right speech, right action, right
livelihood, mental discipline, right effort, right mindfulness, right meditation and be consistent.
He also created the five precepts which are the main basic rules a Buddhist should follow every
day. This includes, do not harm any living thing, do not steal only take what is given. Avoid overstimulation, do not say unkind things and do not take intoxicating substances, drugs or drink. A
Buddhist worships Buddha every day. When worshiping they sit barefoot on the floor facing an
image of Buddha chanting to it. The Buddhists have shrines in their home to which they chant. It
is very important for a Buddhist not to have their feet pointing towards the shrine. Buddhist also
use meditation to calm down internal chaos and reach full enlightenment.
General Beliefs
A key part of a Buddhist's life consists of their very particular beliefs. Buddhists believe in the
Four Noble truths,which were the main part of Buddha's teachings. It teaches why everything in
the world is not perfect. The Noble truths are, to live is to suffer, the reason we suffer is self
centered desires and attachments and the solution is to eliminate desires. Buddhist believe the
way to nirvana is through the eightfold path. Buddhists believe that Nirvana is the place of
enlightenment and ultimate peace to get to Nirvana you must follow the eightfold path. Another
key part of Buddhist beliefs is the cycle of life. Buddhists believe in the cycle of life called
reincarnation. The cycle is based on the law of karma. Karma affects what your next life will be.
A good way to describe this is you get what you give. Your actions in this life will affect what
your next life will be. You break this cycle if if you gain enlightenment, this is called nirvana.
Celebrations and Festivals
In Buddhism there are many festivals most commemorating different parts of Buddha is his
journey to full enlightenment. The ceremony takes place at a local temple. All of the family
gathers to watch the image of Buddha wrapped in long cotton thread to represent all those in
congregation. This process happens while monks chant. After that the principle monk bless the
couple. Two pieces of thread are then cut. One is tied by a monk onto a groom's wrist. and then
the groom ties his pics of thread using another thread to the bride. The Month of Vesak (in May)
contains the celebrating of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Buddha's Birthday is
also celebrated every year on April eighth and is one of the liveliest celebrations of them all.
Followers gather on the weekend nearest to the holiday to make sure that they can attend.
People lay lay flowers and pour ladles of tea overt. Commentating of prince Siddhartha. At the
image of Buddha at a shrine. In Laos Buddhas birthday is combined with the new year's
celebration. Caged birds a set free and people run throughout the streets drenching each other
with water.

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