Learning about Buddhism
Interesting facts about Buddhism
- Shoes are not allowed in temples.
- Showing the bottom of your feet to a monk or a statue of Buddha is very rude and disrespectful.
- Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world.
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Buddhist do not believe in god or gods, but in karma, death, afterlife, and Buddha who is not a god.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/5522658.jpg)
Buddha
Siddharta Gautama is his real name, he was a prince from India. He lived in central North India from 483 to 563. The name Buddha means 'the Enlightened One'.
Siddharta Gautama is his real name, he was a prince from India. He lived in central North India from 483 to 563. The name Buddha means 'the Enlightened One'.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/2505772.jpg)
Dahli Lama
Is the most famous person in Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and traditionally has been responsible for the governing of Tibet until the Chinese government took control in 1959.
Choosing a Dalai Lama after the death of a Dalai Lama has traditionally been the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelugpa Tradition and the Tibetan government to find his reincarnation.
The High Lamas search for a boy who was born around the same time as the death of the Dalai Lama.
It can take around two or three years to identify the Dalai Lama, and for the current, 14th Dalai Lama, it was four years before he was found.
There are several ways in which the High Lamas might find out where the next reincarnation will be found, dream, smoke, and the oracle lake.
Is the most famous person in Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and traditionally has been responsible for the governing of Tibet until the Chinese government took control in 1959.
Choosing a Dalai Lama after the death of a Dalai Lama has traditionally been the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelugpa Tradition and the Tibetan government to find his reincarnation.
The High Lamas search for a boy who was born around the same time as the death of the Dalai Lama.
It can take around two or three years to identify the Dalai Lama, and for the current, 14th Dalai Lama, it was four years before he was found.
There are several ways in which the High Lamas might find out where the next reincarnation will be found, dream, smoke, and the oracle lake.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/1523516.png?367)
Those who Follow Buddhism;
376,000,000 people follow Buddhism.
376,000,000 people follow Buddhism.
- Thailand 95%
- Cambodia 90%
- Myanmar 88%
- Bhutan 88%
- Sri Lanka 75%
- Tibet 70%
- Laos 65%
- Vietnam 60%
- Japan 55%
- Macau 45%
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/1378980337.jpg)
Types of buddhism
1. Theravada Buddhism is a type of Buddhism
that mostly does meditating and training their minds.
2. Mahayana Buddhism only teaches the holy scripture Pali Canon.
3. Tibetan Buddhism is a type of Mahayana Buddhism, and it also teaches texts.
1. Theravada Buddhism is a type of Buddhism
that mostly does meditating and training their minds.
2. Mahayana Buddhism only teaches the holy scripture Pali Canon.
3. Tibetan Buddhism is a type of Mahayana Buddhism, and it also teaches texts.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/7371473.jpg)
Scriptures:
Pali-Canon
is the best known scripture the Buddhist have. It was originally memorized around 600 BC. The Pali Canon is made up of three texts, they are:
-Vinaya pitaka
-Sutta Pitaka
-Abhidhamma pitaka
Pali-Canon
is the best known scripture the Buddhist have. It was originally memorized around 600 BC. The Pali Canon is made up of three texts, they are:
-Vinaya pitaka
-Sutta Pitaka
-Abhidhamma pitaka
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/1116136.jpg)
A Chinese temple
Can refer to any temple which is used for the practice of Chinese folk religion. Chinese Buddhist and Taoist temples are different from these temples, most of which also act as a Monastery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_(Chinese)
Can refer to any temple which is used for the practice of Chinese folk religion. Chinese Buddhist and Taoist temples are different from these temples, most of which also act as a Monastery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_(Chinese)
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/1464328.png)
Sacred Buildings in Buddhism
Buddhist monks live in monasteries.
Normal people pray and meditate in a temple (the picture on the right).
In a temple there usually are many statues of Buddha, some monks, and a place where you can make offerings of flowers or candles.
Buddhist monks live in monasteries.
Normal people pray and meditate in a temple (the picture on the right).
In a temple there usually are many statues of Buddha, some monks, and a place where you can make offerings of flowers or candles.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/7793632.jpg)
Inside a typical temple, it is considered quite common to see elements of Buddhism and Taoism mixed together. A statue of Guan Yinmay be present alongside traditionally Taoist deities such as the Jade Emperor or Mazu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_(Chinese)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_(Chinese)
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/7942044.jpg?219)
Symbols in Buddhism:
Dharmachakra
It's one of the most important Buddhist symbols, it represents the teachings of
The Buddha was the one who ''turned the wheel of Dharma'' and the
wheel symbolizes the Dharmachakra.
Dharmachakra
It's one of the most important Buddhist symbols, it represents the teachings of
The Buddha was the one who ''turned the wheel of Dharma'' and the
wheel symbolizes the Dharmachakra.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/9941316.jpg)
Swastika- is an ancient symbol found worldwide, but it's especially common
in India. It can be seen in the art of the Egyptians, Greeks, Celts, Americans, and Persians and of course in the Buddhists. It symbolizes luck, good fortune and well being.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/9759432.jpg)
Tall Buddha statue
The statue is called Ushiku Daibutsu and is located in the city of Ushiku in Japan. The statue is one of the world's tallest, standing a total of 120 meters, 394 feet high. The bronze-plated figure depicts Amitabha Buddha and is also known as Ushiku Arcadia.
The statue is called Ushiku Daibutsu and is located in the city of Ushiku in Japan. The statue is one of the world's tallest, standing a total of 120 meters, 394 feet high. The bronze-plated figure depicts Amitabha Buddha and is also known as Ushiku Arcadia.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/7158768.jpg)
Festivals
Vesak: Buddha Day (aka Vesak), is celebrated in May or April. They celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing on of Buddha. Mahayana Buddhists celebrate the three events on three separate days, others hold it on the first day with full moon in May or April.
O-bon: O-bon is held in July or August. They celebrate it mostly in Japan. The celebration is mostly about that it is time for remembering people that came before you and welcoming their spirits home for yearly visit.
Buddhist New year : Mahayana Buddhists celebrate on the first full moon day in January. Theravada Buddhists hold three-day celebrations from the first full moon in April.
Vesak: Buddha Day (aka Vesak), is celebrated in May or April. They celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing on of Buddha. Mahayana Buddhists celebrate the three events on three separate days, others hold it on the first day with full moon in May or April.
O-bon: O-bon is held in July or August. They celebrate it mostly in Japan. The celebration is mostly about that it is time for remembering people that came before you and welcoming their spirits home for yearly visit.
Buddhist New year : Mahayana Buddhists celebrate on the first full moon day in January. Theravada Buddhists hold three-day celebrations from the first full moon in April.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/1544541.jpg)
Dharma Day
Dharma Day marks the beginning of the Buddha's teaching. The word Dharma can be translated as truth, and the term is used for the path to enlightenment or the Buddhist teaching.
Dharma Day marks the beginning of the Buddha's teaching. The word Dharma can be translated as truth, and the term is used for the path to enlightenment or the Buddhist teaching.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/2794801.jpg)
Buddhist clothes
- The Lay people wear the clothes of their country. In Sri Lanka for example, a Buddhist woman wears a Sari. Monks are never to enter a village without wearing all three parts of his robe.
A robe from waist to the knee. - An upper robe around the torso and shoulders.
- An outer robe used as a garment
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Things to do in a Buddhist area:
1. Remove your hat and shoes in temples.
2. Cover yourself.
3. Never touch, climb or sit near a Buddha statue, get permission before taking
pictures.
4. Don't point things at monks or Buddha statues.
Information from: http://goseasia.about.com/od/travelplanning/a/visiting_buddhist_temples.htm
1. Remove your hat and shoes in temples.
2. Cover yourself.
3. Never touch, climb or sit near a Buddha statue, get permission before taking
pictures.
4. Don't point things at monks or Buddha statues.
Information from: http://goseasia.about.com/od/travelplanning/a/visiting_buddhist_temples.htm