Beliefs Of Buddhism

Buddhism beliefs forms an important ingredient in Buddhism.Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.

One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth,if a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf.

After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering as per the Buddhism beliefs.

The Three Trainings or Practices:

These three consist of:

» Sila: good conduct,virtue, morality. This is based on two fundamental principles:

The principle of equality: that all living entities are equal.

The principle of reciprocity:

. -- To do onto others as you would wish they do onto you.

» Samadhi: meditation,concentration, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to      wisdom which in turn leads to      personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and      controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct.

» Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism.       Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure     and calm.

The first two paths listed in the Eightfold Path, described below, refer to discernment; the last three belong to concentration; the middle three are related to virtue.


Sacred Scriptures

In Theravada (Southeast Asian) Buddhism, there are three groups of writings considered to be Holy Scripture, known as the "Three Baskets" (Tripitaka). The Vinaya Pitaka (discipline basket) contains rules for the higher class of Buddhists; the Sutta Pitaka (teaching basket) contains the discourses of Buddha; and the Abidhamma Pitaka (metaphysical basket) contains Buddhist theology.

Mahayana (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc.) Buddhism contains an incredibly large amount of holy writings, over five thousand volumes. The oldest scriptures are based on Sanskrit, while others have been written in Nepalese, Tibetan, and Chinese. There are no clear limits as to what should be admitted as scripture, so thousands of writings on the topic have been admitted.


It is our minds that create this world. Buddha (563 - 483 BC)

"If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart."

Buddha, 6th century bce Indian mystic and founder of Buddhism

Love yourself and be awake-
Today, tomorrow, always.

First establish yourself in the way,
Then teach others,
And so defeat sorrow.

To straighten the,
You must first do a harder thing-
Straighten yourself. You are your only master.
Who else?
Subdue yourself,
And discover your master
Buddha crookedSource: -from the Dhammapada