Buddhism

Buddhism is a world religion that began in South Asia around the 5th century BCE. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha. The word Buddha means "awakened one." Buddhism spread from India to many parts of Asia and later to other regions of the world. Today, it is practiced by millions of people.

Siddhartha Gautama was born in a region near the present-day border of India and Nepal. According to tradition, he was born into a royal family. As a young man, he left his home to understand suffering, which means pain or difficulty in life. After many years of study and meditation, he reached a deep understanding while sitting under a tree called the Bodhi tree. After this experience, he became known as the Buddha.

The Buddha taught ideas about life and the human condition. One key teaching is the Four Noble Truths. These explain that suffering exists, that suffering has causes, that it can end, and that there is a path to its ending. The path is called the Eightfold Path. It describes ways of living that include right understanding, right action, and right concentration. These teachings were passed on by word of mouth before being written down.

Buddhist teachings are recorded in collections of texts called sutras. These texts were written in several ancient languages, including Pali and Sanskrit. Different Buddhist communities use different sets of texts. Monks and nuns often study and preserve these writings. A monk or nun is a person who lives in a religious community and follows strict rules.

Buddhism developed different traditions as it spread. Three major branches are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Theravada is common in countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand. Mahayana spread widely in China, Korea, and Japan. Vajrayana developed mainly in Tibet and nearby regions. While practices differ, these branches share core teachings linked to the Buddha.

Buddhists gather in places called temples or monasteries. A monastery is a place where monks or nuns live and practice. Meditation is an important activity in many Buddhist traditions. Meditation means focusing the mind in a calm and controlled way. Over time, Buddhism became an important part of cultural and historical life in many societies.