How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was happening during the time of its creation based on its location)?
Buddhism was founded in the fourth or fifth century B.C. in northern India by a man known traditionally as Siddhartha (meaning “he who has reached the goal”) Gautama, the son of a warrior prince. The authority of the Vedic religion was being challenged by a number of new religious and philosophical views. This religion had been developed by a nomadic society roughly a millennium before Siddhartha’s time, and it gradually gained leadership over most of north India, especially in the Gangetic plain. But things were different in the 5th BCE, as society was no longer nomadic. Under the new urban context, a considerable sector of Indian society was no longer satisfied with the old Vedic faith. Siddhartha Gautama was one of the many critics of the religious establishment.
What are the basic doctrine and practices of the religion?
- There is no almighty God in Buddhism.
- Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being.
- No saviour concept in Buddhism.
- A Buddha is not an incarnation of a god/God (as claimed by some Hindu followers).
- The liberation of self is the responsibility of one's own self.
- Taking refuge in The Triple Gems (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha) does not mean self-surrender or total reliance on an external force or third party for help or salvation.
- Dharma (the teachings in Buddhism) exists regardless whether there is a Buddha.
- All sentient beings have Buddha Nature/Essence.
- The ultimate objective of followers/practitioners is enlightenment and/or liberation from Samsara
- Karma and Karma Force are cornerstones in Buddhist doctrines.
Are there religious texts that are important to understanding the religion?
The Tripitaka (Pali Canon), Mahayana Sutras and the Tibetan Book of the Dead are three major non canonical Buddhist texts. The Pali Canon, which means “the word of Buddha,” includes some of the Buddha's discourse, but it also incorporates the teachings of his pupils.
- Tripitaka- The earliest collection of buddhist writings. They were composed orally, but were written down by the third century
- Mahayana Sutras- A broad genre of Buddhist scriptures that various traditions of Mahayana Buddhism accept as canonical.
- Tibetan Book of the Dead- A text from a larger corpus of teachings.
Where did the religion begin?
Buddhism began in northeastern India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, and is the main religion in many Asian countries.
Who were the important leaders, individuals and empires in the religion?
The main individual is the founder of Buddhism, Siddharta Gautama. He overthrew the authority of the Vedic religion, and started one where you follow a path to enlightenment.
WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF THE RELIGION ON WORLD HISTORY?
His teachings and organization influenced religion and philosophy in China, it reached as far as Japan. It impacted art, culture and architecture in Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka - the whole of Southern Asia. Buddhism has been hailed as one of the most adaptable religions. It changes with every place it lands in.