BUDDHISM

Buddhism is a religion founded by the Buddha. Buddhists believe in the triple gems: the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

The Buddha, who founded the Buddhism, believed in the cycle of birth and death; He believed that life was suffering. In addition, he believed in the Nature.

What is the Nature? According to the Buddha. The Nature is something which exists within itself, by itself, of itself, and as its own law. He was the only one who understood the nature, the secret of nature, and the nature of life.

Who was the Buddha? "Buddha"is not a name. It is a title meaning the Enlightened One or the Awakened One. The Buddha's personal name was Siddhattha, and his clan name was "Gotama." Therefore, sometimes he was called "Siddhattha Gotama."

The Buddha lived twenty-five centuries ago in the Northern India, where is now within the boundaries of Nepal. He was born as a prince of the Sakyan kingdom, where was located at the foot of the Himalayas. His father, who was the king ruling over the Sakyas, was called King Suddhodana. The Queen who was the Prince's mother, was called Queen Maya. As a prince, he grew up in the midst of luxury and led the happy life of a privileged youth. He married his beautiful cousin named Princess Yasodhara who born him a son named Rahula.

However, the princely luxurious life could not shut the eyes of a wise and thoughtful person like him from the realities of life. In spite of this father's efforts to keep his mind attached to the world and satisfied him with the enjoyment of the sensual pleasures within the palace gates, he became aware of the dark side of life, the sorrows of his fellow beings, and the fleeting nature of all worldly things.

At the age of 29, Prince Siddhattha left his father's palace, his dearly loved wife, and his newborn son. Then, he led his life of a wandering ascetic and devoted himself to find the way of overcoming suffering.

Six years later at age of 35, at the full moon of May, forty-five years before the Buddhist Era, while sitting under the Bodhi tree at Gaya, he found his answer and attained the Enlightenment. Supreme Enlightenment and thereafter became known as the "Enlightened One" or the "Lord Buddha". He proclaimed "Dhamma" or Universal Truth to the people. Thereafter, the Buddhist religion (the Teachings of the Buddha) and the Buddhist community of disciples came into existence.

From then through the remaining 45 years of his life, the Buddha wandered from place to place to teach his discoveries to whomever listened to him. In addition, he organized his followers who renounced the world to form the Sangha. At the age of eighty in the year of 543 B.C, the Buddha passed away.