Some
Buddhist Info
- a student voice contribution by Ellie, Sally and Sarah
- a student voice contribution by Ellie, Sally and Sarah
Important Beliefs
The 3 Jewels. These are the most important beliefs.
-I take refuge in the Buddha.
-I take refuge in the Dhamma.
-I take refuge in the Sangha.
Buddhists respect the Buddha because he shows the way to Enlightenment. Enlightenment is not knowing things, it is discovering them for yourself. Buddhists must be enlightened before they can enter Nirvana.
-I take refuge in the Buddha.
-I take refuge in the Dhamma.
-I take refuge in the Sangha.
Buddhists respect the Buddha because he shows the way to Enlightenment. Enlightenment is not knowing things, it is discovering them for yourself. Buddhists must be enlightened before they can enter Nirvana.
Dhamma
The Dhamma is Buddha’s teaching and it means ‘
Natural Law’.
They do not believe Buddha thought up these teachings but that they have always been there. They believe Buddha helped the teachings be understood.
Sangha means everyone who follows Buddha, like Monks and Nuns. Monks and nuns choose to make religion the most important thing in their lives.
They do not believe Buddha thought up these teachings but that they have always been there. They believe Buddha helped the teachings be understood.
Sangha means everyone who follows Buddha, like Monks and Nuns. Monks and nuns choose to make religion the most important thing in their lives.
Nirvana
This means ‘going out’. Buddhists say it is not
possible to describe Nirvana. It is being freed of
greed and anger and the end of everything that’s
not perfect. It is when you do not exist any more.
Buddhists believe it is the only way to be truly
free.
Buddhist Countries
Types of Buddhism
Types of Buddhism
Theravada Buddhists
Theravada means teachings of the elders. Theravada Buddhism is sometimes called southern Buddhism as Theravada Buddhists usually live in Sri Lanka, Burma, or Thailand.
Theravada Buddhism teaches that everyone should gain enlightenment for themselves. They do not pray to the Buddha because they think that he was just a man. Theravada Buddhists believe being a monk or nun is the best way to live.
Mahayana Buddhism
This means great vehicle. This means that there is room for different ways to reach nirvana. Bodhisattva’s are people who have achieved enlightenment. Buddhists try to be like bodhisattva’s. Mahayana Buddhism is called northern Buddhism.
Zen Buddhism
Zen means meditation. This type of Buddhism is popular in Japan, Korea, and in China. Zen Buddhists meditate for many hours each day. They aim to silence thoughts that are unhelpful and train the mind. They believe eventually this will lead to enlightenment.
Pure Land Buddhism
Most pure land Buddhists live in Japan. They pray to Buddha Amida who is the lord of the pure land. They believe Amida will help them get to Nirvana. This type of Buddhism is not accepted by many Buddhists.
Tibetan Buddhism
They believe that the Dalai Lama, a special monk is special. When he dies a careful search is made to find the next Special monk. The special monk is called a Bodhisattva. Mantras, which are prayers that are repeated, are written to him. If you make mantras it is a way of gaining merit. Merit is an award for doing good things and it helps you on your way to Nirvana.
Theravada Buddhists
Theravada means teachings of the elders. Theravada Buddhism is sometimes called southern Buddhism as Theravada Buddhists usually live in Sri Lanka, Burma, or Thailand.
Theravada Buddhism teaches that everyone should gain enlightenment for themselves. They do not pray to the Buddha because they think that he was just a man. Theravada Buddhists believe being a monk or nun is the best way to live.
Mahayana Buddhism
This means great vehicle. This means that there is room for different ways to reach nirvana. Bodhisattva’s are people who have achieved enlightenment. Buddhists try to be like bodhisattva’s. Mahayana Buddhism is called northern Buddhism.
Zen Buddhism
Zen means meditation. This type of Buddhism is popular in Japan, Korea, and in China. Zen Buddhists meditate for many hours each day. They aim to silence thoughts that are unhelpful and train the mind. They believe eventually this will lead to enlightenment.
Pure Land Buddhism
Most pure land Buddhists live in Japan. They pray to Buddha Amida who is the lord of the pure land. They believe Amida will help them get to Nirvana. This type of Buddhism is not accepted by many Buddhists.
Tibetan Buddhism
They believe that the Dalai Lama, a special monk is special. When he dies a careful search is made to find the next Special monk. The special monk is called a Bodhisattva. Mantras, which are prayers that are repeated, are written to him. If you make mantras it is a way of gaining merit. Merit is an award for doing good things and it helps you on your way to Nirvana.
Symbols
Symbols in Buddhism
Flowers
The lotus flower is used as a Buddhist symbol because they show that everything is dukkha, unsatisfactory, because flowers are pretty and smell nice but they aways have to die.
Candles
As candles bring light to a dark room this symbolises how Buddha shows Buddhists the way to live.
Images of Buddha
Which ever position he is in shows what he is doing e.g. if he is sitting down he is meditating. Buddhists use up to 32 symbols to show that the Buddha is a special person.
Flowers
The lotus flower is used as a Buddhist symbol because they show that everything is dukkha, unsatisfactory, because flowers are pretty and smell nice but they aways have to die.
Candles
As candles bring light to a dark room this symbolises how Buddha shows Buddhists the way to live.
Images of Buddha
Which ever position he is in shows what he is doing e.g. if he is sitting down he is meditating. Buddhists use up to 32 symbols to show that the Buddha is a special person.