The Nature of Religion - Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha meaning the 'enlightened one', founded Buddhism in southern Nepal in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. The Buddha achieved enlightenment through mediation and gathered a community of monks to carry on his teachings. Buddhism teaches that meditation and the practice of good religious and moral behavior can lead to Nirvana, the state of enlightenment. There are many symbols associated with the Buddhist tradition which brings about a …

…book containing the rules of Buddhist monastic discipline. Life in the 'Sangha' is controlled through what has been stated by the Vinaya. We were also taught that in entering the Buddhist religion, there are generally three approaches: teaching, interpretation, and practice. Teachings are seen as shallow, interpretation as philosophical, but practice as supreme. A temple within Buddhism is seen as a school. It is considered as the place for teaching, and the practice of worship.