When I started this blog, it evolved around The Buddha, but how many people understand Buddhism so maybe I should add my thoughts. Firstly, Buddhism is not a religion The Buddha sought the middle path and when he found it he shared it with others to save us having to go through the long journey he went through to find his enlightenment. He never expected to be worshipped as a god, he didn’t even preach that there is a god so why do we seek these spiritual experiences? There is something inherent in us that tells us there is more to life than just what we are today. Reincarnation, when we die, we don’t simply disappear whatever happens our atoms our being is reabsorbed back into the universe, I happen to believe in reincarnation but that’s for each of us to decide for ourselves.
So what about The Buddha? He was born a prince (Siddhārtha) his father wanted to protect him from the outside world and built a palace were his every need was catered for. One day Siddhārtha went outside and saw old people, illness, death etc. for the first time (can you imagine the impact that would have on you). Buddhism was founded and he is believed to have lived and taught mostly in the north-eastern part of ancient India sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.
Gautama taught a Middle Way between sensual indulgence and the severe asceticism found in the Sramana movement common in his region. He later taught throughout other regions of eastern India such as Magadha and Kosala.
Gautama is the primary figure in Buddhism. He is believed by Buddhists to be an enlightened teacher who attained full Buddhahood and shared his insights to help sentient beings end rebirth and suffering. Accounts of his life, discourses and monastic rules are believed by Buddhists to have been summarised after his death and memorized by his followers. Various collections of teachings attributed to him were passed down by oral tradition and first committed to writing about 400 years later.
So Buddhism has been around a long time, longer than Christianity, Islam and many other so called religions. We should be encouraged to know that there is this middle path, a life to enjoy, its our duty to enjoy this life and so long as we do no harm to others then anything goes. Forget the teachings we’ve been indoctrinated with throughout our lives Peace and Love will prevail. Namaste.
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