Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha (which means "enlightened one"). It originated in ancient India around the 6th century BCE and has since spread to various parts of the world.
The central teachings of Buddhism revolve around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths state that life is characterized by suffering (dukkha), suffering comes from desire and attachment, there is an end to suffering, and the way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
Buddhism does not worship a god or deity, but rather emphasizes individual enlightenment and personal development. It encourages individuals to achieve enlightenment through meditation, mindfulness, ethical living, and cultivation of wisdom and compassion.
There are different branches and traditions within Buddhism, including Theravada (found primarily in Southeast Asia), Mahayana (common in East Asia), and Vajrayana (found primarily in Tibet and Mongolia). Each branch may have different beliefs and practices, but they often share the fundamental teachings of the Buddha.
what is Buddhism?
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