Buddhism: An Overview by Scott Shiffer¹

Founder: Siddhartha Gautaman (ca. 563-483 BC)

Beginnings: It arose out of Hinduism. Gautaman was unhappy with the inability of Hinduism to answer life's questions, such as old age, suffering, and death. He left his wife and began to practice asceticism.  In a period of meditation he reached a point of understanding (enlightenment) and later became known as Buddha (the Enlightened One).

Four Noble Truths:

1. Suffering is a universal fact.
2. The origin of suffering lies in craving or desire.
3. The cessation of suffering is accomplished by forsaking desire.
4. The way leading to the end of desire and the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
   1. Right View of Life - recognizing it is impermanent
   2. Right-mindedness - having pure thoughts and motives
   3. Right speech - speaking honestly, kindly, and positively
   4. Right action - avoiding actions that harm other living beings, animal and human
   5. Right livelihood - being employed in a job that brings no harm
   6. Right effort - striving always to improve, with moderation
   7. Right-mindfulness - meditating to contemplate the nature of reality
   8. Right concentration - cultivating states of blissful inner peace

When the path is complete one achieves Nirvana (the state of existence of the soul).  When Nirvana is reached it is said to bring an end to suffering, give inner peace, and liberation from the limitations of the world.  The person will also have obtained self-control and will be free from worldly cravings.  Only monks can obtain Nirvana in this life.

Writings: Determined by the kind of Buddhism that is being practiced (there are many forms).

Worldviews: Buddhists do not believe that people have souls (anatta - no soul).  People try to attach themselves to this world because it is permanent.  Humans try and fill their lives with possessions or permanence to their living conditions thinking that this will end suffering.  When this fails people become hopeless.  To end suffering one needs to walk the path towards enlightenment.  (This leaves individuals to be responsible for their own salvation.  They also look to themselves for enlightenment instead of looking to something or someone else.)

Helpful Links:

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/index.htm

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhaintro.html