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Buddhism

Although historical verification of the stories of the origin of Buddhism is impossible, this tradition does arise in the sixth century B.C.E., and is initially focused on the life of Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Shakya clan. Siddhartha, after seeing the traumatic reality of death, disease, and old age, set out on a quest to be relieved of the suffering that characterizes life. His quest took several turns, but the middle path he eventually trod led to his enlightenment. Through this experience, it is said that he became awake. He became a “Buddha”—an awakened one. Buddhism, however, does not worship the Buddha. In fact, this religion does not worship a personal God. Buddhism is fundamentally a religion of wisdom, enlightenment, and compassion, the qualities embodied by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

Perhaps the best summary of the teachings of Buddhism came from the Buddha himself, immediately after he was awakened. His first “sermon” is sometimes called “The Four Noble Truths.�

Buddhism, arising in India, reached its peak between the eighth and sixteenth centuries C.E. But since then the stability and growth of Buddhism has been spotty, at best. Buddhism does have a perspective that may balance an over-emphasis on technology and scientism and thus has the potential to gain an increasing foothold in cultures of the West. But Buddhism’s recognition of the suffering of life, as well as the recognition of the possibility of the elimination of suffering, remain this world religion’s greatest strength and its lasting legacy.