Buddhism is one of the world’s major religions. It originated in South Asia around the fifth century B.C.E., and over the next millennia, it spread across Asia and to the rest of the world.
Buddhists believe that human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but that if one achieves a state of enlightenment (nirvana), it is possible to escape this cycle forever. Siddhartha Gautama was the first person to reach this state of enlightenment and is still known today as the Buddha. Buddhists do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path toward enlightenment.
Born in Nepal, Siddhartha Gautama was an Indian prince who, upon seeing people poor and dying, realized that human life is suffering. He renounced his wealth and adopted the life of a poor beggar, spending his time meditating and traveling. Ultimately, he remained unsatisfied and settled on “the Middle Way”—the idea that the path to enlightenment was neither asceticism nor wealth, but rather, a way of life between the two extremes. Eventually, in a state of deep meditation, Gautama achieved enlightenment underneath the Bodhi tree (the tree of awakening). The Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar, India—the site of his enlightenment—is now a major Buddhist pilgrimage site.
The Buddha taught about the Four Noble Truths. The first truth is called “suffering (dukkha),” which teaches that everyone in life is suffering in some way. The second truth is the “origin of suffering (samudāya).” This states that all suffering comes from desire (tanhā). The third truth is the “cessation of suffering (nirodha),” and it says that it is possible to stop suffering and achieve enlightenment. The fourth truth, the “path to the cessation of suffering (magga)” is about the Middle Way and the steps to achieve enlightenment. Buddhists believe in a wheel of rebirth into different bodies. This is connected to “karma,” which refers to how a person’s good or bad actions in their present or past lives can impact their future. Buddhists strive for serenity amid chaos and place a high value on ethical conduct and compassion, which are reflected in the ideals of service and community.
There are three main schools of Buddhism: Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana. Mahayana Buddhism is common in China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan and Tibet. It emphasizes the role models of bodhisattvas (beings that have achieved enlightenment but return to teach humans). Theravada Buddhism is common in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It emphasizes a monastic lifestyle and meditation as the way to enlightenment. Vajrayana is the major school of Buddhism in the region of Tibet as well as in Nepal and Mongolia. It offers followers a faster path to enlightenment than Mahayana or Theravada, because a person can achieve enlightenment in one lifetime through specific rituals.
Buddhists face persecution in some places. For instance, because many Tibetan Buddhists have actively resisted China’s control of the region, the Chinese government has suppressed their religious freedoms and civil rights in the past and has continued to do so throughout the 21st century. In 1959, the Dalai Lama—the head of the Tibetan school of Buddhism and traditional leader of Tibet—fled from China-controlled Tibet to India in fear of his life. The current Dalai Lama, understood to be the 14th reincarnation of the first Dalai Lama, has raised questions over whether and where he will choose to reincarnate. In 2022, Tibetan Buddhists faced increased oppression from the Chinese government. The news media reported that temples and religious symbols were being destroyed, religious gatherings and access to important sites were being suppressed, and monks were being tortured. Similarly, the Vietnamese Communist government has maintained strict control over Buddhist practices. Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) leaders and followers have been persecuted, arrested and detained for their religious beliefs and activities. When faced with persecution, Buddhists have largely responded with nonviolent resistance, which suits their fundamental belief in promoting peace.
Like other religions, Buddhist ideals are spread through art and culture. Buddhist art is known for embodying the Buddha’s teachings and reflecting the thriving Buddhist community. National Geographic Explorer Monica López-Prat is a cultural heritage conservator studying monumental terracruda (air-dried clay) sculptures, a type of Buddhist sculpture widespread among the Silk Roads. López-Prat investigates how traditional knowledge can inform conservation strategies for ancient sculptures, and her research has shown that the technique underlying the construction of Bamiyan Buddhas is still practiced in the making of sacred images in some regions of Bengal and the Himalayas.
In addition to the spiritual realm, Buddhism has impacted cultural norms, in particular through its emphasis on service and community. Buddhist monasteries are often sites for community action, giving back to the community and spearheading political action.
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