The teachings of Buddhism encourage people to follow a spiritual path that will lead them to the jewels of life - happiness, freedom and enlightenment. The Eightfold Path is actually a set of eight practical guidelines that can not only end the suffering in people’s lives, but also enhance mental strength and conviction about following an ethical way of living. The eight teachings of Buddhism are about simple yet effective truths. They are all interdependent.

Right View: This is the first principle and it teaches people about the right way to see the world. Often, our view of the world is colored by our expectations, hopes and fears. If we can keep these factors aside and see things as they are without bringing in our feelings, then that is the right view of the world. We need to have an open attitude towards what we see and perceive, and have a simple and straightforward approach to life.

Right Intention: According to this guideline, if we are able to let go of our judgments, hopes, fears and expectations, then we can behave in a straightforward way, instead of being manipulative. An absence of preconceived ideas will ensure that we can accept the reality of things. This principle will follow naturally if we have right perception.

Right Speech: If our intentions are right, then we do not have to worry about our speech - of what we should speak, how we sound, if we are saying the things people want us to say. Right speech stems naturally from right intention, and happens effortlessly.

Right Action: This guideline urges us to practice simplicity. A person should be kind and not harm anyone, not take something that does not belong to him and not indulge in sexual misconduct. Right action is also about being honest and respectful. Action is a manifestation of thought. With the right view and right intention changes are made at the thought level, and right action follows automatically.

Right Livelihood: This principle emphasizes that livelihood should be earned in a righteous manner and by doing what we like. Most of the stress in the world is created because of people being stuck in jobs they do not like and spending long hours slogging on something they would rather not do. Often, people wish for jobs that pay better or sound better. Buddha urges people to be sincere in whatever they do and to ensure that their livelihood does not cause harm to others. Right thought and right action will ensure that the right livelihood is chosen.

Right Effort: This guideline is about doing work without aggression or struggle. If we are able to see things as they are, have clear intentions and speech, then putting in the right effort to do what we have to do isn’t difficult. Being aggressive, jealous, pushy or manipulative is ruled out by this principle. Right effort comes effortlessly with right livelihood.

Right Mindfulness: This guideline urges people to be mindful of every detail of the experiences they have. If we are mindful of the way we speak, work or interact with people, then we can be happy. Right effort ensures a stress-free mind, which in turn ensures optimum output in any work that the mind is applied to.

Right Concentration: This guideline is about concentrating on the present and on whatever we are doing at the moment. The philosophy of meditation is based on this fact. Right concentration is a natural outcome of a stress-free mind putting in the right effort.

Chip Tolaney operates buddhagroove that sells Buddha Statues and and is a regular contributor of Buddha articles and teachings to a Blog about Buddha.

[tags]Buddha, Buddhism, Eightfold Path, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddha Teachings[/tags]

The estimate of the number of Buddhists in the world varies between 350 million and 1.5 billion. The disparity in figures is because of factors like the lack of exact figures for congregational memberships and the practice of Buddhist beliefs in combination with traditional religions like Shinto, Confucianism and Taoism to name a few. Let’s take a look at some of the countries where Buddhism has left its imprint.

China
China is home to 100 million Buddhists - the largest number in any country. Buddhism was almost destroyed in China during the 20th century. Monasteries and temples have been rebuilt in the recent past. Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism is the major Buddhist influence in China. Important Buddhist sects in China are the widespread Pure Land sect that came in from India, the Ch’an Men (Zen in Japan), created by the Indian Bodhidharma in 520 A.D, and the T’ien T’ai.

Tibet
The most distinguishing feature of Tibetan Buddhism is the belief in reincarnation. According to this belief a person consciously chooses to be reborn so that he/she may complete the work he/she has left undone in a previous birth. Tibetan Buddhism has features that have been taken from both Hinduism and from Bon, a religion of purely Tibetan origin.

India
After Buddhism was almost wiped out of India, the land of its origin, it began to revive in 1891 with the establishment of the Mohabodhi Society. In 1956, Buddhism got another boost when Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of India’s constitution, converted to Buddhism along with hundreds of his followers. Today there are about 4 million Buddhists in India. The spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, lives in India (Dharmshala) now.

Indonesia
Only 1% of Indonesians practice Buddhism today and most of the practitioners are ethnic Chinese. They have their own unique version of Buddhism, which pays homage to a supreme deity, Sang Hyand Adi Buddha. However, all the Buddhists in Indonesia acknowledge the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Japan
Buddhism has always flourished in Japan. About 84% of the population practices a blend of Buddhism and Shinto.
There are many Buddhist sects in Japan - 157 to be exact. Rituals and other practices differ from sect to sect. Zen is a major religion in this country, with about 3.32 million registered followers.

Thailand
A majority (94.6%) of the Thai people practice Theravada Buddhism and the country has a wealth of Buddhist temples and stupas. Even the national flag is said to symbolize Buddhism. Monks are accorded the highest respect in Thailand and people are encouraged by their families to join the monasteries.

USA
Robert A.F.Thurman, a popular American Buddhist writer, is of the opinion that the number of Buddhists in the USA is around 5 to 6 million. People of Asian origin with an inherited family tradition of Buddhism, make up 75 to 80 percent of the US Buddhist population; the rest are non-Asians. The western form of Buddhism is a modern reinterpretation of the original, with the emphasis on meditation rather than on doctrines, rituals and monastic living.

United Kingdom
According to the 2001 census, there are around 150,000 practicing Buddhists in the UK, and the number continues to increase.

Albert Einstein said, “If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.” Proving the truth of his statement is the rise in the popularity of Buddhism in several parts of the world.

Chip Tolaney operates Buddha Groove and is a regular contributor of Buddha articles and teachings.

[tags]Buddha, Buddhism culture, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Buddha sculpture, Zen[/tags]

To understand the basic principles of Buddhism, it is not necessary to believe in heaven or hell or to chant mantras. While monks must practice all the precepts, the lay Buddhist (if he is to be called Buddhist) is expected to follow the five main precepts. Buddhist principles are based on the basic idea of cause and effect, also known in eastern philosophy as karma. According to this law every intention, thought and action has a consequence that equals the energy invested in it. From good deeds come good results. Leading a disciplined life can ensure that suffering is kept to a minimum. The calm mind that comes from a disciplined life leads down the path of spirituality to the goal of all human life - self realization, or what the Buddhists call Nirvana. The Buddhist philosophy and way of life is laid out in the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths, the Eight Fold Path and the Five Precepts. The first three doctrines are pursued by those who either adopt a monastic life or are involved in a deep philosophical interpretation of Buddhism.

The Philosophy of Buddhism
The Buddha presented his philosophy in the Four Noble Truths:
1. Life is suffering: Disease, death and emotional pain are inevitable.
2. Attachment causes suffering: An attempt to derive happiness from things that have shape and form results in suffering because these are not permanent.
3. To cure suffering, free yourself from attachment: The cause of suffering is attachment, so make attempts to free yourself from attachment.
4. The eightfold path will show you the way out of suffering: The Buddha taught practical ways to end suffering through eight pursuits - right speech, right action, right livelihood, right concentration, right view, right intention, right mindfulness, and right effort.

The Five Precepts are what a lay Buddhist is expected to follow in day-to-day living.
The Five Main Precepts
1. Refrain from killing: In order to live harmoniously with all living creatures and create positive instead of negative vibrations, the Buddhist must be vegetarian. This is necessary for the growth of compassion.
2. Refrain from stealing: In order to be free of guilt, and not cause pain to others, Buddhists must not take anything that is not freely given.
3. Refrain from sexual misconduct: The Buddha taught his disciples that sexual desire is the greatest obstacle to enlightenment, and the most difficult to overcome. Sexual misconduct is forbidden.
4. Refrain from lying: To tell a lie is to deny the truth, and a Buddhist centers his life around truth - whether it is the truth of his spiritual path, the truth about himself, or the truth of the universe. Denial of the truth leads to confusion, guilt and disharmony.
5. Refrain from drugs and alcohol: If we are to clearly see the truth, and gain an accurate perception of life and reality, our minds must be free from the delusion and fuzziness caused by alcohol and drugs. An alert mind is capable of controlling actions efficiently and directing them along virtuous paths.

Buddhism affords believers an oasis where they can regain equilibrium by following the Middle Way. Buddhism enables people to look at life anew and stop blaming God, the universe, and others for their plight. They are the creators of their own worlds. Once they can grasp this great truth, life becomes a joyful journey.

Chip Tolaney operates Buddha Groove and is a regular contributor of Buddha articles and teachings.

[tags]Buddha, Buddha teachings, Buddhism, Buddha sculptures, Buddha figures, Buddha precepts[/tags]

Some 2,500 years ago, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the royal Shakya Clan of Nepal, meditated under the bodhi tree (a type of fig tree) in the Indian town of Bodh Gaya (in eastern India) and attained enlightenment. Today, thousands of pilgrims still travel to this sacred town.

A Special Destiny
‘Buddha’ means ‘the awakened one’ and this is the title Siddhartha was known by after his enlightenment. His was a miraculous birth, heralded by an auspicious dream the queen mother Mahamaya had. Siddhartha was a unique infant, and was able to speak to his mother soon after he was born. He told her that his calling was to liberate mankind from suffering.

When Siddhartha turned 16, he won the heart and hand of the beautiful princess Yashodhara in a competition of physical strength and strategy against her many suitors. Although he lived a life of pleasure and luxury in the palace, he knew there was something far more meaningful to seek out. On seeing the suffering of fellow human beings he renounced the royal life and set out to find answers to life’s most important question: what is the purpose of all life?

Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree
Reaching the town of Bodh Gaya in what is today the state of Bihar (India), Siddhartha decided to meditate until he found the answers he sought, and to this end, he sat under a bodhi tree. He had a vision of all his previous lives , battled with the demons who threatened his meditation and, finally, many days later, on a full moon night, he discovered the Truth that liberates and became the Buddha.

At first, it seemed to the Buddha that no one would understand the Truth, but Brahma, the King of the gods (in the Hindu pantheon), persuaded him to teach what he had learned, and the Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath near Varanasi (in north India). During the sermon he explained the basic tenets of Buddhism - the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Popularity of Buddhism
Buddhism spread quickly throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, and by around 520 to 550 AD had reached Japan. Buddhism came to America in the 19th century and influenced prominent personalities like Emerson, Thoreau, Aldous Huxley, and Eric Fromm. In Europe, great thinkers such as Jung, Heidigger, and Toynbee were impressed by Buddhism. A large number of American intellectuals have taken to Buddhism in their search for ways to tame the “monsters of the mind” so easily created by material excesses. The ultimate goal of the Buddhist is to accept responsibility for his own circumstances and to understand how he himself creates illusion and suffering.

Chip Tolaney operates Buddha Groove and is a regular contributor of Buddha articles and teachings.

[tags]Buddha, Buddhism, Buddha sculptures, Buddha decor, Zen, Asian philosophies[/tags]

If you had to pinpoint one thing that is essential in the Buddhist practice it would have to be meditation. It is a deep breathing exercise that works to clear stress and helps focus concentration. Many people mistakenly believe that meditation only involves taking deep breaths but there is more to Zen meditation than just that. The practice of Buddhist meditation is one as old as the religion itself and it plays a fundamental role in achieving balance and harmony in a person’s life.

If you are going to practice Zen meditation, then you are going to have to use the zazen. The zazen is all of the positions, breathing and mind clearing exercises that every Buddhist uses.

The Tibetan Buddhist and even the simple Nichiren Buddhist monk practice zazen. Before you begin you need to understand that there are some steps that must be performed before the meditating can start.

The first step in Buddhist meditation is to find your position. This can be one of several positions. The Burmese position is where the legs are folded and the feet both touch the floor.

The best way to be in the Lotus or Half Lotus position is to have your backside elevated on a special pillow, which will allow you to sit freely but with your legs positioned correctly. You can find this pillow online or in many specialty shops.

The Lotus or Half Lotus position involves sitting on the floor with your legs folded up on one another. You will resemble a pretzel in this position and it is definitely a hard one to attain when you are just starting out.

If you have joint pains, then this may not be the best position for you to sit in. In that case you need to sit comfortably in a chair with your feet firmly planted and your shoulders squarely aligned with the rest of your body.

The final part of the Buddhist meditation ritual is your breathing and concentration. Begin by taking in deep breaths through your nose and slowly exhaling the breath from your mouth. At the same time, clear your thoughts and be mindful of what your body is telling you.

Try to slow your breathing down and begin focusing on clearing your mind. It is perfectly fine if you have intrusive thoughts. Now is the time to acknowledge them and then let them go. It is a process of finding peace within yourself and letting go of your stressors.

Zen meditation is something that everyone can attain if the time is taken to learn how to perform meditation properly. No, you may never have the concentration of a Buddhist monk but give yourself some time.

It is a learning experience and you will acquire new knowledge as you undertake some of the Buddhist studies. You do not have to embrace the religion totally, yet you can find peace and tranquility through Buddhist teachings.

Learn more about the zen meditation at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave us a comment at our teachings of buddhism blog, and receive your FREE gift.

If you think that all religion Buddhism sects are alike, then you need to think again. Tibetan Buddhism is fundamentally different than Chinese or Indian Buddhism.

Each sect of Buddhism does have similar theologies but may differ in how enlightenment is attained or even why enlightenment is attained. For many people in Western cultures who are not familiar with the Buddhist practice, the differences can be very confusing, as there are a lot of the same terms used throughout the different sects.

Tibetan Buddhism was found initially in the Tibet region of China. It was brought to this area by Buddhist princesses who married King Gampo. It was Gampo who founded the first Buddhist temples in the region, as a way to bring the religion of his wives to his people.

But it was not until Emperor Trisong Detsen in the 8th century that Buddhism became the principle religion of the land. There are four schools of teaching that this form of Buddhism follows.

The four schools of teaching are: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. Each school works together to bring a person to enlightenment. If you are not sure what this “enlightenment” is, then you are not alone. In general, it means achieving an inner peace where wisdom and being free from human suffering is gone.

It is also used to talk about practitioners that have reached a point where they are able to help their fellow man in his defeat of suffering. The general breakdown involves teaching the different steps that must be taken for a person to reach enlightenment. Not every Buddhist is able to master the four schools along with the various other thoughts and rituals that must take place.

So how did the Buddhism Tibetan practitioners spread their message to the West? It was not until the People’s Republic of China invaded and occupied Tibet in 1959. Up until this point the religion was mainly secular and isolated in the East.

But with the flight of many, the Buddhist practice became known to many people in the rest of the world. There are several celebrities who are ardent supporters of freeing Tibet and are known practitioners of Buddhism. Richard Gere, Steven Seagal and Philip Glass are but a few of the people who have taken up this philosophy and religion.

Is Tibetan Buddhism impossible to learn? No. Just as with any new religion that you may be embarking upon, it does take time to become acquainted with all of the different mantras and beliefs that are the backbone of this way of life. It is not something that is just embraced sporadically. It is a way of life that can lead to greater peace and a greater sense of fulfillment.

Learn more about the tibetan buddhism at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave us a comment at our teachings of buddhism blog, and receive your FREE gift.

If you were to ask people what they would wish for most, most would likely say happiness. At least that is what the majority of people seek out subconsciously. Sure, they may ask for riches or fame but the real desire internally is to be happy. If given a choice, many would also like to avoid any suffering or pain of any kind.

That is what the Buddhist teachings tell people. But the more that people work at getting a better job or trying to improve their external life, the more pain and suffering they bring down upon themselves. The Buddhist religion owes all of its credos to Buddha and the history of Buddha is fascinating.

The history of Buddha all began thousands of years ago with a prince named Siddhartha. Siddhartha was protected from the outside world by his King father. The father did not want his son exposed to the harsh facts of life.

But all of this changed when Siddhartha witnessed the “Four Sights.” He came into contact with an elderly man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse and a holy man. This influenced Siddhartha to seek out a way to end human suffering and disease.

Buddhist studies teach that Siddhartha went on a spiritual journey. He spent forty-nine days in a state of meditation to discover enlightenment on ways to end human suffering and torment. His meditation retreat showed him the path to enlightenment and from that moment on he became the Buddha. The Buddhist practice began to spread as Buddha wanted more people to find happiness and joy in their lives, while also improving the lives of those around them.

In today’s Buddhist practice, those philosophies and steps are still going strong. Books on Buddhism abound as more people want to begin finding peace and tranquility in themselves rather than their external surroundings. By improving on their own inner peace it is said to lead to people helping others end their suffering. It is a very noble cause and the spirituality Buddhism represents has many Western people turning to the religion Buddhism.

Learning the history of Buddha is just the beginning of a journey along a wonderful path filled with peace and tranquility. Millions of people in the world today embrace the Buddhist studies and have found that they are much happier than they were before. You do not have to become a Buddhist, yet you can still gain fulfillment by utilizing some of the practices, such as meditation.

Learn more about the history of buddha at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave us a comment at our teachings of buddhism blog, and receive your FREE gift.

There are many aspects of the Buddhist life that call out to people, yet for those who are not familiar with Buddhism it can be a difficult journey to understand. There are many mantras, or teachings, that Buddha gave to the world.

Different sects study different mantras and often believe that theirs is the way to enlightenment. Buddha taught in his life that enlightenment was attained through the abdication of earthly possessions but his later mantras were taken up by Nichiren Buddhism and this message changed.

Just as there are different variations of the same religion found in the United States, i.e. the Baptist faith versus the First Baptist etc., there are different branches of Buddhism. What the Zen Buddhist studies differs from what the Tibetan Buddhist studies. The Buddhism Nichiren taught was based on a different set of mantras handed down from Buddha in his later years.

These teachings were known as the Lotus Sutra. These Buddhist teachings allow for people to find their own way to enlightenment through following his studies but Nichiren felt differently about the other branches of Buddhism. He thought that they had become splintered and fractured due to not following the correct path to enlightenment.

Back in the 13th century, a Japanese Buddhist monk by the name of Nichiren Daishonen became disillusioned with the way other Buddhists were spreading their version of the great Buddha’s mantras. He believed that the Lotus Sutra chants and prayers were what Buddha wanted his followers to learn. In Nichiren Buddhism, the chanting of the Lotus Sutra helps a person to attain universal knowledge and find their enlightenment.

Nichiren believed that the Buddhist teachings of others were wrong. It was not about just abdicating earthly possessions. It was about reaching out to your fellow man to overcome trials and adversity together.

His Buddhist studies allowed him to show that everyone, regardless of age, gender or status, could reach enlightenment. This opened up Buddhism to many new people and showed them that there was a possibility of overcoming problems to attain peace.

You have to decide for yourself whether or not Nichiren Buddhism is right for you. All of the Buddhist studies are open to different interpretations. That is why there are so many different forms of Buddhism.

You can always count on the fact that all of the different branches still honor Buddha and believe that the way to end human suffering is through enlightenment. You just have to decide which philosophy you believe in.

Learn more about the nichiren buddhism at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave us a comment at our teachings of buddhism blog, and receive your FREE gift.

Most people have a belief that there is something waiting for them in the afterlife, if they lead a good life. It is a hope that there is something beyond death, a place that is a reward for a lifetime of good deeds and being mindful of the rules of that religion.

In most religions, there is also a messenger that holds the key to eternity and peace. This messenger for Christians is Jesus Christ, for Muslims it is Muhammad and for Buddhists it is Buddha. If you are unfamiliar with the history of Buddhism, then it is time you become acquainted with this religion.

The history of Buddhism started a very long time ago. It all begins with a prince named Siddhartha who decided to do something about the pain and suffering he saw in his fellow man. Siddhartha was given the Four Sights.

He observed an elderly man, a diseased man, a corpse and a holy man. These encounters showed him the extent of human suffering. His goal was to try to eradicate these needless, painful experiences.

The Buddhist studies teach that Siddhartha went on a meditation retreat that lasted for forty-nine days. During this time he meditated on how human suffering was affecting him and everyone else. When he emerged from this meditation retreat he shared his enlightenment with the rest of the world.

The answer to him was that material possessions caused people to suffer. There was no point in holding onto material goods when in the end they decayed and you could not take them with you. The way to end this suffering and to finally find the universal knowledge was through Buddhist meditation and chants.

Many things have changed since Siddhartha became the Buddha and began to spread his word. Since that time many of his mantras, or teachings, have been taken in different directions by various sects, such as those practiced by the Zen Buddhist, the Tibetan Buddhist and the Buddhism Nichiren, which were founded after Buddha’s death.

Different monks chose different mantras to teach Buddha’s followers. Just as Christianity has many different offshoots, so does Buddhism.

There is obviously quite a lot more to the history of Buddhism than just what is written here. It is an entire lifestyle devoted to reaching a goal of enlightenment.

There are different chants to use while meditating, as well as different postures to assume. Is it complicated to learn? It is not anymore complicated than it is to follow Christianity or Catholicism.

Learn more about the history of buddhism at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave us a comment at our teachings of buddhism blog, and receive your FREE gift.

The Buddhism religion is growing in popularity. Many people are turning to Buddhism as a way of bringing peace and happiness into their lives. They enjoy the ritualized chants, meditations and lifestyle practices that the Buddhist religion offers.

The real secret to Buddhism, for those who are not aware of the faith, is that anyone can practice it. You can certainly enjoy and employ certain aspects that could enhance your life. Many people utilize Buddhism in some way every day but just do not realize it. It may be Buddhist art, meditation, a visit to a Zen garden or even yoga.

Yes, most Buddhists have a Buddha statue to look to for guidance and as a way to keep in touch with the Buddhism religion. Many people find the Indian and Tibetan artwork very relaxing and have incorporated it into their decor for their homes. With very pleasing color tones and a sense of tranquility, the Buddhist art is transforming many bedrooms and work places into Zen meditation retreats.

Speaking of meditation, the art of meditation practice is one that everyone should learn. It is a way to clear the mind and rid the body of stress. If you have had a bad time at work or you are under considerable family stress, meditation may be just what you need to find relaxation and a way to work through those problems. You do not have to assume some of the more traditional poses for meditation. Simply sit in a chair with your back straight, shoulders squared and your feet planted firmly.

You will then take in deep breaths through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth. While performing this breathing exercise you should begin working on clearing your mind. This mini “meditation retreat” can help you relieve the stress and tension in your body.

If you devote just ten or fifteen minutes a day to this when things get stressful, then you will be able to tackle those touchy situations in no time at all. It will give you the time you need to think clearly.

One aspect of the Buddhism religion that is practiced in gyms across the world is yoga. This form of exercise allows you to assume different positions and relieve the stress and anxiety that may be plaguing you. If you need help getting started or simply want more information, then there are many books on Buddhism for sale in your local bookstore or you can check them out at your local library.

Learn more about buddhism religion at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave us a comment at our teachings of buddhism blog, and receive your FREE gift.