Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE by a holy man from Nepal named Siddhartha Gautama. He has been known ever since as the Buddha.
REMEMBER! The title Buddha means ‘the enlightened one’.
The Buddha turned his back on a life of luxury and security so that he could devote all his time and energy to achieving enlightenment.
REMEMBER! Enlightenment means you have gained a deep understanding of the meaning of life.
Though it began in India, Buddhism spread gradually across much of eastern and southern Asia, finally reaching Tibet in the 8th century CE.
Basic Beliefs Buddhists believe in samsara.
Whatever you say or do in your present life will decide what will become of you in your next life. This is because of the Law of Karma.
When you do something right you create positive karma. When you do something wrong you create negative karma. You may have to live through many lives on earth before you can gather enough positive karma to reach nirvana.
If you want to reach nirvana you must begin by accepting the Four Noble Truths.
REMEMBER! Samsara means that we must all go through a repeating process of birth, death and re-birth.
REMEMBER! The Law of Karma says that from right action comes good and from wrong action comes evil.
A statue of Buddha.
REMEMBER! Nirvana is a state of complete and perfect peace of mind and body.
An artist’s representation of Samsara, the cycle of rebirth.
