Buddhism is a religion that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who lived from 563 BCE to 483 BCE. In the Buddhist tradition, he is referred to as “Buddha,” which means “the enlightened one.” Buddhism teaches that enlightenment can be achieved through meditation and mindfulness practices, which are designed to help practitioners gain insight into their own existence and end suffering. The practices of Buddhism have been around for over 2,500 years and continue today in countries all over the world.
In this article, we will explore things that would interest you and what it’s like to live as a Buddhist – from how they pray, worship their deities, or make offerings; to more practical things such as how Buddhists create art or dress on a daily basis.
They Believe In Reincarnation
One of the most distinctive things about Buddhism is its belief in reincarnation – Buddhists believe that all living beings are trapped within a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which they call samsara. They believe that this cycle can end when one’s karma has been worked off through many reincarnations. To achieve salvation, they must put an end to the cycle of rebirth, also known as nirvana.
Buddhists believe that there are six realms one must navigate through in order to put an end to suffering and escape samsara: humans, demi-gods (similar deities), animals, hungry ghosts (inhabiting a place similar to hell or purgatory), Titans (whatever they might be), and demons. They tend not to believe in the existence of a monotheistic god but instead focus their efforts on achieving enlightenment by following various practices laid out in Buddhist texts such as The Four Noble Truths and The Eight-Fold Noble Path.
The Worship Deities
Since they don’t believe in a monotheistic God, Buddhists instead worship various deities who are seen as embodiments of various qualities such as love, wisdom, strength, etc.
These deities go by names like Tara (female embodiment of compassion), Avalokiteshvara (male embodiment of loving-kindness), Amitabha (embodiment of wisdom), and Manjushri (male embodiment of intelligence). Sometimes they’ve got symbols and meanings that represent their revered deities. Just like it is in Hinduism, Buddhists believe that these deities offer spiritual guidance to one’s journey towards enlightenment.
They also believe that each deity is reflective of an aspect within themselves they are meant to work on – for example, Tara is often seen as a female figure who provides comfort during difficult times. Each deity has different roles in the Buddhist tradition based on its symbolism, but there are many who consider Buddha himself to be the highest deity in existence.
They Believe In Karma And Cause And Effect
Karma is something Buddhists take very seriously – it’s what they believe dictates how their lives will play out. The concept of karma is the belief that your actions – good or bad, intentional or unintentional – have consequences, which you must work off through reincarnations until you eventually achieve nirvana. Buddhists believe it’s not enough to do nothing at all; one must act with kindness and compassion in order to strengthen their karma for future incarnations.
They Meditate And Practise Mindfulness
One of the most important parts of Buddhism is meditation, which acts both as a spiritual and mental exercise. It helps them become more alert and understand deeper meanings about life. The practice of mindfulness has different forms, but the premise is always focused on being present in the moment and aware of one’s self. Whilst it might sound simple to those who are new to this concept, Buddhists believe that meditation can lead to higher consciousness if carried out correctly.
They Make Offerings & Pray
What food do Buddhists eat? What do they drink? Do they have any special traditions when praying? Like much of what Buddhism teaches us, it all boils down to being kind and showing compassion for others – not only towards people but also animals and the earth as well. They make donations of food and clothing, set up altars with candles and incense; pray using prayer beads (similar to a rosary), and meditate on important teachings of Buddha. Buddhists also believe that meditation is a form of prayer, which helps strengthen their connection to the universe.
They Eat A Very Simple Diet
Much like their spiritual practices, Buddhists’ diets are quite simple. They follow the practice of ahimsa – which means ‘do no harm’ – by refraining from eating meat, poultry, and fish. As such, they only eat vegetables not only because it’s healthy for them but also to show compassion towards animals.
Some Buddhists will occasionally partake in vegan dishes that include rice, soy products (tempeh, tofu), and wheat gluten; they may also enjoy small amounts of dairy (yogurt). Some Buddhists fast regularly as part of their religious observances – including on every new moon.
In the article, we’ve given you a detailed overview of interesting things about Buddhism. These practices can make your life richer and more fulfilling by teaching you to focus on the present moment as opposed to what might happen in the future or dwelling on past mistakes. You don’t need to become Buddhist, but there are many aspects of these practices that could benefit anyone who’s looking for a way to live their best life now.
