Who Are Buddhists ? 🌄 What Is Buddhism | क्या है बुद्ध धर्म का इतिहास | Live Hindi Facts

Summary

This video explores the origins and teachings of Buddhism, the world's fourth-largest religion, founded by Gautama Buddha around 500 BCE in India. The video delves into Buddha's early life, his journey towards enlightenment, and the realization that human suffering stems from desires. It introduces the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to overcome it, culminating in the Eightfold Path to achieve Nirvana. The video also explains the two main branches of Buddhism, Theravada and Mahayana, highlighting their distinct beliefs and practices across Asia.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion globally, with around 7% of the world’s population, approximately 540 million people, following it.
• 🙏 Buddhism was founded over 2,500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Gautama Buddha, in what is now modern-day Nepal.
• 👶 Gautama Buddha was born into royalty as Prince Siddhartha in the Shakya dynasty, and his father tried to shield him from suffering.
• 🧘 At 29, Siddhartha left his luxurious palace life after witnessing old age, sickness, and death, realizing the inevitability of suffering.
• 🌳 After intense meditation under the Bodhi tree, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, realizing that eliminating desires could end suffering.
• 📜 Buddha's teachings focus on the Four Noble Truths: life is suffering, desire is the cause of suffering, ending desire can end suffering, and the Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.
• 🛤️ The Eightfold Path consists of steps like right understanding, right intention, and right conduct, guiding followers towards liberation from suffering.
• 🌏 Buddhism has two major branches: Theravada, which focuses on individual enlightenment, and Mahayana, which emphasizes guidance from Bodhisattvas.
• 📜 Theravada is practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, while Mahayana is prevalent in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet.
• 🌸 Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes the role of spiritual teachers or Lamas, with the Dalai Lama as a notable leader within this tradition.

Q & A

What is the significance of Buddhism in the world today?

Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion globally, with over 7% of the world’s population, approximately 540 million people, following it. It is one of the oldest religions, founded by Gautama Buddha around 500 BCE in India.

Who was Gautama Buddha, and when was he born?

Gautama Buddha, originally named Siddhartha Gautama, was born around 480 BCE in Lumbini, present-day Nepal. He was born into the royal Ikshvaku dynasty, with his father being King Shuddhodana and his mother belonging to the Koliyan clan.

What prophecy was made about Gautama Buddha at birth?

At Gautama Buddha's birth, it was prophesied that he would not take over his father's throne but would instead lead people on a spiritual path, guiding them toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

How did Gautama Buddha's early life influence his spiritual journey?

Gautama Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life in luxury, shielded from suffering by his father. However, upon witnessing old age, sickness, death, and a contented monk during his rare trips outside the palace, he became deeply unsettled and began seeking answers to life's suffering.

What realization did Gautama Buddha come to after six years of intense meditation?

After six years of severe asceticism and meditation under a Bodhi tree, Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. He realized that the cessation of desires could free individuals from suffering, and he grasped the impermanence of life and the need to accept change.

What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

The Four Noble Truths are: 1) Life is full of suffering, 2) The cause of suffering is desire, 3) Ending desire can end suffering, 4) The way to end suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path.

What is the Noble Eightfold Path?

The Noble Eightfold Path is a guide to end suffering, consisting of eight steps: Right Understanding, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

How did Buddhism spread after the death of Gautama Buddha?

After Gautama Buddha’s death around 400 BCE, his followers spread Buddhism across different parts of Asia, particularly establishing strong roots in East and Southeast Asia. Over time, Buddhism evolved into different schools.

What are the two major branches of Buddhism?

The two major branches of Buddhism are Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada focuses on the teachings of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, while Mahayana emphasizes the role of Bodhisattvas and believes in collective salvation.

What distinguishes Theravada Buddhism from Mahayana Buddhism?

Theravada Buddhism adheres to ancient texts written in Pali and sees Buddha as a great teacher, not a deity. It is mainly practiced in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Mahayana Buddhism, prominent in countries like China, Japan, and Korea, views Buddha as a divine being and emphasizes the guidance of Bodhisattvas in achieving enlightenment.