Buddist History

Buddist History

Siddhartha Gautama,a young Hindu prince who once lived a life of luxury in his palace in northern India. Siddhartha would never see the outside or people of his land. He had everything anyone wanted, luxury, wealth, and pleasure.

At the age of 30 Siddhartha took rides through his land. During these rides he saw lots of people suffering. He wanted to put an end to the suffering, so he gave up his family, money, and his life as he knew it in order to find the cause of human suffering.

After seven years he founded the religion of Buddhism. He wanted to find the meaning of life. At first he studied Hinduism but then he decided to try meditation. He traveled around India for 45 years sharing his knowledge and began to get many followers. His followers called him Buddha -- "The Enlightened One."

Buddha taught that human suffering is caused by selfish desires for power, wealth, and pleasure. In order to become free, he taught that one must give up all of his selfish desires. The way to do this is to follow the Middle Way or the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path teaches one not to have to much pleasure or too much worry.

Buddhism taught that all people are equal. If they did not act selfish, told the truth, and avoided violence or killing of any living thing, they would reach Nirvana -- lasting peace.


				*Buddist History*



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