Buddhist inspiration
Buddhism is the one world religion that everyone seems to respect. Many more people would like to call themselves Buddhists than actually are Buddhists by traditional counts.
Buddha found the source of sorrow, what sorrow is and the way out of sorrow (or suffering).
He has inspired millions around the world and in the West his teachings symbolize religion without belief.
Three reasons to love Gautama Buddha
Why was Gautama Buddha Imporant?
- He loved truth and sought it all his life
- He taught the truth he found for the rest of his life, out of love for humanity
- His truth came in a form that did not require belief, but reason and meditation
Gautama Buddha Pictures
What we think, we be...
January Buddha
Buddha
Universe
Giant Buddha
Buddha head
pond buddha
Lantau
Buddha at Dawn
Off Goes the hair 12...
At the Cherry Farm
2010-01-04
Who was Gautama Buddha?
The Buddha: his life story - religious facts
Stripped of these metaphysical or magical aspects, a sketch of his life runs thusly:Prins Siddharta was born in Lumbini (in modern day Nepal), to the kshatriya caste of warrior-aristocrats. (The Indian caste system was also probably somewhat more informal at this time than it later became). He was the heir to the position of "prince" ("village chieftain" may be more accurate) of the Shakya clan's village of Kapilavatthu or Kapilvastu in the foothills of the Himalayas in what is now Nepal.
Siddharta maried and had a son: Rahula, but at age 29, having become increasingly dissatisfied with the contrast between a life of aristocratic luxury and the suffering he observed endemic in all people, Siddharta abandoned his inheritance and palace and began living an ascetic life, training with ascetic philosophers, and practicing austere meditative practices.
After six years he found that the severe practices did not lead to greater understanding, abandoned them and concentrated on meditation and the "middle way" (a practise of non-extremism), and soon afterwards claimed he had realized complete awakening or enlightenment into the nature and cause of human suffering and the steps necessary to eliminate it. This enlightenment is called a state of "Bodhi," and hence the name "Buddha," or "enlightened one."
The Buddha emphasized that he was not a god nor the messenger of a god and that Enlightenment was not the result of a supernatural process or agency, but rather the result of a close attention to the nature of the human mind which could be rediscovered by anyone for themselves.
Buddha spent the time after that teaching and traveling.
Source
Dating the Buddha has become quite the sport amongst Buddhologists. A majority apparently agrees that his birth should be dated around 400B.C.
Stories about the life of Siddharta Gautama Buddha
Buddhist religious beliefs
Vote for your favorite Buddha story and add the ones I missed. (only add direct links to specific stories please)
Thumb Necklace: A tale of Buddha and Compassion
During the lifetime of the Buddha there lived a mu more...2 points
Austerities the Buddha went through
Gautama Buddha: His trials before enlightenment1 point
Kisa Gotami and the Mustard Seed
Kisa Gotami had in a previous lifetime been born i more...1 point
Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha treading water
Jesus and Buddha are both said to have walked on w more...1 point
The Flower Sermon
A zen sermon.1 point
Birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
His conception and birth at Lumbini, India.0 points
Blind men and the elephant
A famous Indian story that is told by Hindus, Jain more...0 points
A buddhist story on Inattention
Nevertheless, although the Master was preaching wi more...0 points
How Siddharta came to leave his luxurious life - Life of Buddha the founder of Buddhism.
The Buddha sees an old man begging, a sick man, a more...0 points
Dharmapada quotes - from the Buddha
The Dhammapada (or Dharmapada) is an old Buddhist book of sayings. It is not clear whether they are actual sayings of the Buddha himself, as the text isn't part of the Pali Canon. On the other hand, the text has been found in both Theravada and Mahayana sources so it is common to all traditions of Buddhism.Better than a thousand useless words
is one useful word,
hearing which one attains peace.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
Do not speak harshly to any one; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee.
Hatred does not cease in this world by hating, but by not hating; this is an eternal truth.
When a man dwells on the objects of sense, he creates an attraction for them; attraction develops into desire, and desire breeds anger.
"He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver; other people are but holding the reins"
Teachings of the Buddha
Religious views in buddhism
1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path
Noble Eightfold Path
Three Qualities (the eight aspects of the path can be grouped into three qualities as follows)
- Wisdom (panna)
- Right View
- Right Thought
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Contemplation or concentration or meditation
Morality (sila)
Meditation (samadhi)
More Buddhism teachings - that is: more lists
Great Gautama Buddha Books
What the Buddha Thought (OXFORD CENTRE FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES MONOGRAPHS)
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Amazon Price: $76.00 (as of 01/08/2010) 
The Living Buddha: An Interpretive Biography (Soka Gakkai History of Buddhism)
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Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 01/08/2010)
Pali canon - what the Buddha said
The oldest known Buddhist texts
1. Vinaya Pitaka, dealing with rules for monks and nuns
2. Sutta Pitaka, discourses, mostly ascribed to the Buddha, but some to disciples
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka, variously described as philosophy, psychology, metaphysics etc.
Together these three are called the Tipitaka.
According to scholars the Pali Canon is a mixture of material going back to the Buddha and material by his disciples. The earliest versions we know historical facts about date to the fifth century C.E.
Buddhism Calendars and Books
Buddhist religious inspiration
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Buddhist Calendars, date books, Buddha pocket planners and agendas
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These Buddhist calendars have inspirational quotes and beautiful pictures. Plan your week, your month, your year - or just have Buddhist quotes (from Zen, Tibetan Buddhism etc.) in your life every day. Unless otherwise mentioned, these are dated ca...
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Best Dalai Lama Books
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The Dalai Lama is that unique mix of a spiritual teacher and a political leader. Unlike the Pope he is virtually uncontested as a spiritual inspiration. His continuing attempts at peaceful dialog with the Chinese government is amazing. His attempts a...
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Best books on Buddhism
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If you are into a specific type of Buddhism - don't think you already know what 'Buddhism' is. Buddhism comes in a variety of forms and they disagree on issues you probably take for granted. These books will amaze and inform you. I'm going to be sen...
Previous lives of the Buddha - Jataka Tales
The turtle who saved lives, jataka-tale
The bodhisattva-turtle, a previous life of Gautama more...0 points
Vessantara
The last life before he reincarnated as prins Sidd more...0 points
Buddha links
- History of Buddha and Buddhism - Buddha's World
- Historical material on Buddhism. Includes a time-line and extensive information on Ashoka. With information and mythology on the life of Buddha, and his previous lives (jataka-tales)
- The Buddhist Path
- The spiritual path in Buddhism: All Buddhism aims to be a path that leads to enlightenment (Nirvana) . Stressed are issues like insight and calmness of the mind.
- Meditation and the Relativity of Thought in Buddhism
- Articles on Buddhist meditation, and the limitations of thought-processes.
What do you think of Gautama Buddha?
Your favorite Buddhism links
Add your own favorite Buddhism links.
Buddha's world - Buddhism
Quotes and articles on essential aspects of Buddhi more...1 point
What is Theravada Buddhism?
On Access to insight0 points
Buddhism | All Considering
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Buddhism DVD's
![Seven Years in Tibet [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yy99E4ILL._SL75_.jpg)
Seven Years in Tibet [Blu-ray]
Famous account of two European men who end up in Tibet. One of them even teaches the young Dalai Lama.
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Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 01/08/2010)
Kundun
On the life of the Dalai Lama and his family. After the book of the same name.
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Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
Little Buddha
A western kid gets recognized as the reincarnation of a Tibetan lama...
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Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
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Buddhism is one of the most inspiring world philosophies. On this lens you will find information on the Buddhist path, basic concepts and links to more information.
Your opinions on this Buddha lens...
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Reply
- DaveWalters DaveWalters Jun 12, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
- The Buddha's teachings have inspired me for many years, thanks for the tribute to him!
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Reply
- WendyArt WendyArt Apr 9, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
- What a wonderful lens!! I love the videos, and the many links provide a feast of great information. Thanks.
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Reply
- calicoskies calicoskies Apr 8, 2009 @ 9:21 am
- Buddhism has always been an inspiration to me. Great lens! :)
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Reply
- Zut_Moon Zut_Moon Mar 25, 2009 @ 9:40 am
- I need to learn more about Buddha and his teachings and I thank you for this lens. I think I am a natural follower of Buddha having lived the life I have lived.
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Reply
- andrasnm andrasnm Mar 20, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
- Buddhist is said to be the most psychologically balanced and reasonable religion. While all religions get dogmatic and stale after about 100 years, Buddhism is the only religion that escaped this fate.....
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