What is Buddhism?

Question 1

When and where did Buddhism begin

Answer 1

The founder, Siddhartha Gautama, was born in 563 BCE. Buddhism began in a part of Ancient India now referred to as Nepal

Question 2

Why was Siddhartha Gautama named ‘the Buddha’

Answer 2

‘The Buddha’ means ‘awakened/enlightened one’. Siddhartha is called this by his followers because he was the only being to achieve enlightenment

Question 3

How are Buddhists different from other religious believers

Answer 3

Many Buddhists do not believe in a ‘god the creator’ and the stories that come with the faith are not always taken into account by Buddhists from a scientific or historical perspective- it’s the messages that count

Question 4

Explain Buddhist beliefs about enlightenment

Answer 4

Enlightenment is the only way to escape Samsara and an enlightened person is able to go to Parinirvana instead of having to be reincarnated. Nirvana is the state of complete bliss where a person is obliterated from the universe

Question 5

What is meditation

Answer 5

The practice of focusing the mind to avoid negative temptation. You can do this by concentrating and controlling your breath.

Question 6

Explain Buddhist beliefs about Samsara and how it can

be escaped

Answer 6

Samsara is the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. It can be escaped if someone follows the Dharma, understands the Buddha’s teachings and achieves enlightenment to go to Nirvana