Buddhism is one of the world's most prolific religions, dominating much of South East Asia, and influential as well in South Asia and East Asia.

Understand

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya

Buddhism is a non-theistic religion founded around 400-500 BC by Sakyamuni Buddha. Born in Lumbini as heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Sakya (in present day Nepal, near the Indian border), Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha's former name) discovered that a life of luxury did not lead to peace of mind, and that the rich, like the poor, still suffer the torments of old age, sickness and death. He therefore renounced his title and abandoned his wealth in order to seek a way that could lead all beings, without discrimination, to freedom from suffering. He spent six years experimenting with the various common methods of the day, but to no avail. Finally, at the age of thirty-five and while meditating under the bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, he awoke to the insights he had been seeking. The essence of the Buddha's discovery are categorized in his first teaching that was delivered to a group of five ascetics at the Deer Park in Sarnath and is called the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha finally passed away in a copse of sal trees at Kushinagar. He was believed to be over 80 years old at the time.

For many centuries, Buddhism was the major religion in India, and was supported by many great kings, with Asoka the Great (273–232 BC) perhaps the most famous. Buddhism's influence in India waxed and waned over the next millennium, and during the 6th and 7th century support was mostly confined to Southern India. However, perhaps the single most significant blow to Buddhism in India occurred in 1193 when Turkic Islamic raiders burnt the great Buddhist center of learning in Nalanda (in current day Bihar), and by the end of the 12th century it had all but disappeared from the lowlands, though it continued to thrive in the Himalayan regions.

Buddhism as a philosophy and religion can roughly be divided into two schools: Theravada and Mahayana. The Theravada school which spread to Thailand, Sri Lanka and other South East Asian countries promotes personal liberation from suffering, whereas the Mahayana, which is prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Bhutan and Tibet, emphasizes the liberation of all beings. The Vajrayana school, which is often called Tibetan Buddhism, is an offshoot of Mahayana and differs from it only in method, not philosophy. A common thread throughout all Buddhist schools is the cultivation of wisdom and compassion as a basis of interacting with the world, and the total rejection of religious conversion. All schools of Buddhism recognize karma (the law of cause and effect) as the creator of our illusory universe, which Buddhists refer to as samsara.

Common images and symbols

The eight-spoked dharma chakra represents the Noble Eight-fold path taught by the Buddha

• Buddha Sakyamuni. Obviously the most common image at Buddhist monasteries, and statues show the Buddha in a various number of postures, though the most common of these depicts the Buddha sitting in lotus posture with the finger tips of his right hand touching the ground.
• Tara (only in Vajrayana monasteries). This female deity can be depicted in a variety of colors, though green or white are the most common. Green Tara represents the Buddha's enlightened activity. White Tara represents compassion.
• Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche (only in Vajrayana monasteries, especially those of the Nyingma school). An eighth century sage credited as the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism. The most common images portray him in a sitting posture, wearing an elaborate hat and with his right leg lowered slightly. His eyes are wide open and appear to be gazing into the distance.
• Prayer wheels (Tib: mani) (only in Vajrayana monasteries). There are several types of prayer wheels, and the following are some of the most common: copper wheels mounted in walls surrounding monasteries and stupas, and large wooden wheels standing alone near the gates of monasteries. In addition, there are small hand-held wheels that are carried by devotees. All prayer wheels are rotated in a clockwise direction and with a sincere motivation to benefit all beings. In this way, they are considered an effective means of developing a generous and pure mind.

Other destinations

South Asia

Below is list of fourteen of the most notable Buddhist sites in the sub-continent:

Taktsang Monastery at Paro in Bhutan

• Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — the place where the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment.
• Boudhanath Stupa, Boudhanath, Nepal — a sacred site for Buddhists.
• Bumthang Valley, Bhutan — the valley is considered the spiritual heart of Bhutan and contains many sacred sites, including the famous Kurjey Lhakhang in Jakar.
• Ellora and Ajanta, Maharashtra, India — spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
• Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India — the site where Buddha reached Mahaparinirvana and was cremated
• Lumbini, Nepal — the birth place of Sakyamuni Buddha.
• Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh, India — a sacred lake associated with the Buddhist sage Padmasambhava. A popular pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
• Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh — the place where the Buddha first taught the Dharma.
• Taktshang Monastery, (Tiger's Nest), Paro, Bhutan — a monastery associated with Guru Rinpoche. It is one of Bhutan's most sacred places.
• The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka — a temple housing a tooth that came from the mouth of Lord Buddha and is considered Sri Lanka's most sacred site.
• Sitagarha Hill, Marwateri Basin, Sitagarha Hill, Jharkhand, India. The site of a major Buddhist shrine and stone carved stupa dating from the the Mauryan Period.
• Taxila, Panjab, Pakistan — a major site with relics of the Buddha, including teeth and bone fragments, and many stupas and monasteries

See

• Sacred sites of the Indian sub-continent

Do

• Meditation in Japan
• Meditation in Thailand

Festivals

Vajrayana tradition

• New Year, first full moon in year (usually in February).
• Modlam Chenmo, 8th-15th day after lunar new year.
• The Buddha's Enlightenment and Passing into Nirvana, 15th day of 4th lunar month (usually May).
• Guru Rinpoche's Birthday, 10th day of the 6th lunar month.
• Chokhor Duchen, 4th day of the 6th lunar month (usually July). Celebrates the first sermon given by the Buddha Sakyamuni after enlightenment.

Theravada tradition

• Vesak, first full moon in May. Celebrates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana.
• Asalha, first full moon of 8th lunar month (usually July). Celebrates the first sermon given by the Buddha Sakyamuni after enlightenment.

Respect

• Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.
• Go bare foot within the main temple/stupa complex.
• Circumambulate stupas and other sacred objects in a clock-wise direction.
• Turn prayer wheels in a clockwise direction.
• Preserve the peace and tranquility.
• Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.
• Do not sit with the soles of the feet facing a Buddha image (especially important in Theravada temples)

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