A STUDY OF HIS LORD BUDDHA TEACHING AND THE LIFE HISTORY OF HIS LORD IN NEPAL AND INDIA

Abstract

Followers of Buddhism didn't acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focused on achieving enlightenment a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reached this spiritual echelon, they were said to have experienced nirvana. The religion's founder, Buddha, has been considered an extraordinary being, not a god. The word Buddha meant “enlightened.” The path to enlightenment was attained by utilizing morality, meditation, and wisdom. Buddhists often meditated because they believed it helped awaken truth. There were many philosophies and interpretations within Buddhism, making it a tolerant and evolving religion. Some scholars didn't recognize Buddhism as an organized religion, but rather, as a “way of life” or a “spiritual tradition.” Buddhism encouraged its people to avoid self-indulgence and self-denial. Buddha's most important teachings, The Four Noble Truths, were essential to understanding the religion.  The Buddhists embraced the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle of rebirth). Followers of Buddhism could worship in temples or their own homes. Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, followed a strict code of conduct, which included celibacy. There was no single Buddhist symbol, but several images had evolved that represent Buddhist beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel, the Bodhi tree, and the swastika (an ancient symbol whose name meant “well-being” or “good fortune” in Sanskrit).