Buddhism began in India, about 500 years before the birth of Christ. It is based on the teachings of the man known as the Buddha, which means the awakened one. The Buddha began his life as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. As the story goes, Siddhartha was raised in a palace among immense wealth, and his family sought to hide from him any evidence of sickness, suffering, and death. One day, Siddhartha went for a walk outside the palace, and encountered people who were sick and dying. Struck with grief, he decided to renounce his life as a prince and discover an end to suffering.
While meditating in the shade of a fig tree, Siddhartha attained enlightenment, an awakening which he called Nirvana, and by doing so he found what he was seeking. From this point forth, he became known as the Buddha, and he began teaching his methods to other spiritual seekers.
The Buddha introduced the idea of the Four Noble Truths:
- All life brings about suffering
- Suffering is caused by desire and attachment
- The cessation of suffering is attainable
- The way to end suffering is the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is a list of eight virtues which consists of right thought, right speech, right action, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration, and right understanding. By following these virtues, one may be able to attain Nirvana and put an end to the suffering in their life.
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