Buddhism is an ancient religion based on the teachings of the Buddha (“Awakened One”)– the title given to the Indian spiritual hunter Siddhartha Gautama after he attained enlightenment more than 2,600 years back. The Buddha’s best-known mentors, the 4 noble realities and the eightfold course, explain the nature of human suffering and a way to liberate oneself from the existential discomforts of life and reach nirvana.
These teachings spread from India throughout Asia and ultimately the rest of the world. While the wider Buddhist household consists of many different schools with their own beliefs and practices, these different customs share a conviction that one can pertain to comprehend the reality of existence by living an ethical life devoted to spiritual advancement.
That’s the short response, but there is a lot more to say about it. Click the questions listed below to dive deeper into Buddhist mentors, history, and practices.