Buddhism originated from Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama was born into a very rich family and he could have stayed there for his whole life being treated like a royal but he decided to leave and explore the world. When he left he saw a sick man, a holy man, an old man, and a dead man. This made him think about what happens in the world, and what is the meaning of life. According to legend, Siddhartha Gautama wandered for several years until he came near the town of Gaya, close to the Ganges river. There he sat down under a tree and meditated for seven weeks. After that he suddenly found the answer he had wanted. He realized why humans suffer.
Siddhartha spent seven more week meditating under the tree. He finally stopped meditating, and decided he would be called Buddha for the rest of his life, which means “The enlightened One”. He spent the rest of his life walking across northern India.
- Wanting what we like but don’t have
- Wanting to keep what we like and already have
- Not wanting what we dislike but have
Siddhartha spent seven more week meditating under the tree. He finally stopped meditating, and decided he would be called Buddha for the rest of his life, which means “The enlightened One”. He spent the rest of his life walking across northern India.
Siddhartha Gautama mediating under the tree
A figure of Siddhartha Guatama in meditation, one hand on his lap, the other pendant in a gesture known as earth-witness, which represents unshakability or steadfastness when being subject to the demons' temptations.
There are two different types of buddhist called Mahayana and Theravada. Mahayana believe in gods and the Theravada do not believe in anything. Mahayana have a goal that they want to became a Buddha or fulfill the density of Bodhisattva. Theravada believe that that should have a good deliverance of mind, they also practice meditating and they regularly visit their temple. Theravada donate morality and meditate.