User:Dorje108/Buddhism lead draft

Notes

• These drafts are a work in progress.
• The paragraphs are numbered (in some cases) for easy reference.

Draft 2014/7/12

1. The term Buddhism refers to a collection of traditions, beliefs, and practices based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, the Sage of the Shakyas, commonly known as the Buddha (the awakened one). The Buddha lived and taught in northern India approximately 2,500 years ago, and since his passing, his teachings have spread throughout Asia, and more recently to the Western world.
2. The name Buddhism was first introduced by Western scholars about 150 years ago--as they attempted to understand and transmit the teachings of the Buddha to the West. In the Buddha's own days, and as his teachings spread throughout Asia beginning around the 6th century B.C.E., the Buddha's teachings were known as Dhamma (Sanskrit Dharma), what is right and as it ought to be, also as Buddha-vacana, the word or speech of the Buddha, and also as Buddha-sāsana, the message, teaching, instruction or dispensation of the Buddha.
3. Buddhism is generally categorized among the major world religions, and it is now commonly studied in the religion departments of the great universities in the Western world. However, Buddhism differs from the other world religions in key aspects. Namely, unlike other major world religions, Buddhism rejects the belief in a creator-god and a permanently existing self or soul. Thus, where the other great religions, such as Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism, speak of an omnipotent god who created the universe and controls human destiny, the Buddhist teachings speak of interdependence (Sanskrit: pratītyasamutpāda), and describe a universe without beginning or end, in which all things arise due to a complex web of causes and conditions. And where other religions speak of human souls that are judged by "God" and (in the case of the Abrahamic religions) are sent to heaven or hell, Buddhism speaks of an endless cycle of birth and death in which each being's destiny is determined by their own actions (or karma). In the Buddhist view, each being has the capacity to "liberate" themselves from this cycle of birth and death by following the Buddhist path and developing insight into the true nature of reality.

Draft 2014/7/8

Buddhism is a name given comparatively recently by Westerners to the vast synthesis of teachings, now 2,500 years old, attributed to Gotama (Sanskrit Gautama) the Buddha, the Sage of the Sakyan clan, and to much that later grew out of them as they spread from India to other lands. In his own days, his teachings were known as Dhamma (Sanskrit Dharma), what is right and as it ought to be, also as Buddha-vacana, the word or speech of the Buddha, also as Buddha-sāsana, the message, teaching, instruction or dispensation of the Buddha.

Buddhism is generally categorized among the worlds great religions; however, Buddhism differs from the other world religions in that the Buddhism rejects the belief in a creator-god and a permanently existing self or soul that is characterized by other major religions.

Draft 2012/10/21

See also Talk:Buddhism/Archive_14#Suggestion_for_revised_lead

1. Buddhism is a collection of traditions, beliefs, and practices based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha (meaning "the awakened one" in Sanskrit and Pāli). The Buddha is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who presented a system of training in conduct, meditation, and understanding that constitutes a path leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha). The Buddha is believed to have lived and taught on the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.

2. According to the Buddhist tradition, the Buddha taught that the cause suffering (dukkha) is ignorance (avidyā) of the true nature of the self and phenomena, and that this ignorance leads to taṇhā (an unquenchable thirst, craving, or desire) to hold onto pleasurable experiences and to be separated from painful or unpleasant experiences. The Buddha also taught that the causes of suffering can be overcome by following a path that eliminates ignorance (avidya) through developing a correct insight into the true nature of the self and phenomena--this insight is based on understanding and seeing the interdependent nature of all things (dependent origination; Sanskrit: pratītyasamutpāda). Thus, according to tradition, it is possible for anyone to completely eliminate suffering and thereby attain the highest happiness, nirvāņa (nirvana).

3. In modern times, Buddhism has been variously described as a religion, a philosophy, a science of mind, or a way of life. While Buddhism is commonly referred to as a religion, modern scholars and Buddhist teachers point out that while Buddhism has key similarities with the other major world religions, it also has key differences. Similarities include the importance of faith and devotion, and the use of prayer and rituals. However, Buddhism differs from the other major religions in that: Buddhism does not involve belief in a creator God who has control over human destiny, nor does it seek to define itself by reference to a creed. The Buddhist tradition emphasizes a path leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha), and the Buddhist teachings suggest that preoccupation with certain beliefs—such as belief in a "creator god", "an eternal soul", or theories about the origin of the universe—in fact hinder our progress along the path rather than helping it. --- Dorje108 (talk) 15:03, 21 October 2012 (UTC)