A brief summary of Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the oldest and largest religions in the world. It is also the only major religion that does not actively worship a divine being. This makes Buddhism seem more like a form of philosophy for those who are used to western religious practise, though the cosmology of Buddhist thought clearly demonstrates that it is a system of spirituality.

Buddhism arose around the 5th Century BCE in India, as part of a general rise in anti-Vedic feelings amongst the populace. At the time many groups where being formed in India that shared similar concepts, mostly revolving around what could be best described as a form of ’spiritual atheism’, that is they rejected the devotions, rituals and sacrifices made by the Vedic holy men yet they maintained a form of spirituality in the philosophy they where attempting to uncover. Into this chaotic situation was born Gautama Buddha (also called The Buddha) – the man who would go on to reach enlightenment and unify the fractured schools of thought as their ultimate teacher.

The Buddha was born into the royal family in an area that is now part of Nepal. When he learnt of the suffering of normal people, he set about on a holy quest, forswearing his royalty, in order that he might learn how to help all people in need. At the age of 35 he achieved enlightenment after many days of fasting and meditation beneath a fig tree. He was freed from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Spending the rest of his mortal days teaching what he had learnt to those who cared to listen.

Today there are two major branches of Buddhism, Theravada (The School of Elders) and Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) as well as many splinter and sub groups with varying practises and teachings. Worldwide Buddhism is estimated to have up to 500 million practitioners as of 2010.