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Buddhism,
Buddhism
religion,
Myanmar
Buddhism,
Burma
Buddhism,
Tibetan
Buddhism,
Theravada
Buddhism,
Mahayana
Buddhism,
Buddhism
picture
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Researching
Buddhism And Facts Surrounding The Popular Philosophy
Searching for
Little Known Buddhism Facts. Buddhism is a popular religion and philosophy that
originated thousands of years ago in Asia. The popularity of
Buddhism has spread and followers from many countries are
involved in this philosophy.
Buddhism has an
estimated three hundred million followers, and is something
that many individuals are interested in learning about, but
they do not necessarily know where to start.
The history of
and facts about Buddhism are taught in many schools around
the world. However, there are additional ways to learn the
facts about Buddhism. To research Buddhism, traditional
methods should be followed. There is a variety of different
locations and resources for obtaining information concerning
the philosophy of Buddhism.
The internet is
a convenient and interesting way to find a lot
information on every topic imaginable, including the
history of Buddhism its teachings which have helped
it to develop a worldwide following. With numerous
online encyclopedias available, you are certain to
find information and little known facts concerning
Buddhism.
In addition to
online encyclopedias, performing an internet search is a sure fine way to produce many resources and references
pertaining to Buddhism. By simply typing in "Buddhism", you will
be surprised at the number of websites and reference
guides that will appear. |
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Buddha
head sculpture from Myanmar or Burma |
One of
the best ways to learn about the history of, and
interesting facts about, Buddhism is to visit a
website that is operated by followers of Buddhism.
One of the best websites to obtain general
information on Buddhism and facts surrounding its
history is http://www.buddhanet.net/index.html.
BuddhaNet is an online educational network for
individuals who follow Buddhism or are interested in learning
more about it.
The BuddaNet site
is easy to navigate and designed for individuals of all
ages. They have an ebook section which is completely free
for all site visitors to read and use as a reference.
The ebook section contains information and articles on
mediation, history, teachings, and more. A large amount of
information can be obtained from this website.
Although this
website is a great educational tool for teaching individuals
about Buddhism and facts surrounding the philosophy, there
are additional online resources that are just as helpful.
Completing an online search is the best way to find and sort
through each of them. |
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Buddhism
religion, Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhism symbol, history
of Buddhism, Buddhism belief, Theravada Buddhism,
Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhism picture, Hinduism
Buddhism, Buddhism fact, nirvana Buddhism, nichiren
Buddhism, Buddhism meditation, origin of Buddhism. Is Buddhism a religion or ?
Buddhism and business
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Buddhist Monks in a Buddhist
Temple in Mandalay
Buddhist Pagoda
Buddha Standing
In
addition to the internet, libraries generally offer
a large amount of books or other printed materials
concerning the history and teaching of Buddhism. The
amount of materials associated with Buddhism and
facts concerning its history
and practice will most likely depend on the size of the
library. It usually the case that smaller libraries are
limited in the number of books that they carry. If you do
not find what you are looking for, do not give up. Many
libraries various cities or counties are connected to a
network of other libraries.
Buddhist Novices Monastery School |
Therefore, many books may
be exchanged or borrowed by different
library locations. In addition to printed
materials found in the library, there are
number of Buddhism books that can be
purchased from traditional book stores.
Some of these books may be
used for reference; many of the books found
on today's market include titles dealing
Buddhist views, beliefs, or ways that
Buddhism has positively impacted a group or
an individual. Many printed materials can be
purchased from conventional or online book
stores. Books, VHS Tapes, DVDs, or audio
cassettes tapes may be purchased from many
online Buddhism websites.
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Learning the history of Buddhism and facts concerning the
philosophy is a fairly easy process. In addition to learning
useful information, you may even find yourself wishing to
become a believer or follower of Buddhism
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Lord Buddha - The Enlightened
Buddha is one who has
perceived just for himself the reality which is not
dependent on ideology, which is not conditioned by memory
and tradition, which is not inspired by desire for
continuance. But, he is also one who has been able to awaken
in others that flame of intelligence which lies dormant and
forgotten in everything that is. He does not create a fire
of desire, not even a desire to become more, better or
perfect. But in kindling the intelligence to perceive what
is without
U Min Thonze Bhuddist Temple Sagaing Myanmar |
distortion, he
has opened up the way which leads to
nowhere. For, the goal is not in the distant
future. And thus, although he is compared to
a charioteer and a tamer of the human heart
who can guide and steer to final victory, it
is clear that the Buddha only gives
direction without grace, so that each one
for himself has to discover when the day's
work has been done and the burden can be
laid down.
Supreme
as a guide he does not enforce one way or
the other. He is truly a Buddha, that is an
enlightened one, a shining light for
everyone to see, yet not to follow or adore.
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Thus,
his teaching has come our way and can enlighten our lives,
if we care to see, to perceive, to understand. In that sense
he is not a teacher on whom the pupil depends; for, there is
no salvation through him, no vicarious redemption, no
following in blind faith. But in understanding with
intelligence which is not conditioned by traditional and repetitional sayings, there follows action which is not
aimed at a purpose of achievement- Such action which is not
reaction is free and unconditioned. And in that freedom
there is deliverance. In that perception there is
enlightenment. In that enlightenment there is Buddhahood,
where each one for himself can discover the truth as the
essence of every moment of living without clinging to the
past or craving for the future, where there is no conflict
and no "self."
A Buddhist is one who accepts the doctrine of the Buddha.
But it is not so easy to define that doctrine, for there are
so
  
Buddha Sitting Mandalay Maha Muni Buddha Mandalay Buddha Sculpture Monywa Myanmar
 
Buddha in Cave Pagoda Mural
Painting
Powintaung
Buddhist Monks Teak Monastery
many aspects involved, such as the doctrine of karma and
rebirth which the Buddha evolved from the existing theory of
re-incarnation by giving it a very special character; such
as the doctrine of dependent origination which brought
enlightenment and Buddhahood to prince Siddhattha as a
bodhisatta; such as the ethical doctrine of wholesomeness
the doctrine of the middle path, eschewing both extremes of
self-indulgence and self-mortification.
But above all there are the three marks, the three marks of
distinction: impermanence, conflict, soul-lessness, which
are inherent and essential in all, and which are so
closely intertwined that they can only be understood
together. That things are impermanent is so obvious
that we do not need a Buddha to tell us so. But to realise that the conflict
within us (dukkha) is due to the non-acceptance of
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Buddhist Monk meditating Sagaing Myanmar Burma
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impermanence (anicca) when applied to our own individuality,
that is found only in the Buddha's doctrine that all things
are without substance (anatta). It is the realisation of the
void of conflict (dukkhe-anatta), which gives impermanence
also to conflict, whereby one is set free to be a Buddhist
in the perfect sense.But one cannot become a Buddhist when it is understood that
Buddhism is a doctrine of no-more-becoming, of cessation, of
freedom and deliverance. As long as there is striving, there
is desire; and as long as there is desire, there is 'self.
Only when there is the cessation of becoming (bhava-nirodha)
is there the realization of no-self, which is Nirvana.
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And so Buddhism is not an organized religion which leads
people in the practice of worship and faith. It is not a
religious organization either, for everything depends on
each individual for himself. Instead of salvation through
grace, there must be understanding and insight as the basis
of action. And in understanding without fear or hope there
will be immediate and perfect action which is not a reaction
to dogma or tradition, but which is the effect of an
intelligence which is fully awake and aware, which is living
in the present.
Buddhist Nuns Myanmar
© Copyright Maithri Publications. This article was
donated by Maithri Publications - http://www.maithri.com You
may republish this article in any form by crediting the
author and source. Please include the web address.
About the Author
Henri Van Zeyst was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, in 1905.
Educated throughout in Catholic schools and colleges, he
spent his final years of studies in philosophy and theology.
An intensive course of comparative religion brought him in
contact with Buddhism. Within a year of his coming to Sri
Lanka he was ordained a Buddhist monk in 1938 under the name
of Bhikkhu Dhammapala.
Buddha depicted
Creating a huge marble Buddha Sculpture |
Creating small marble sitting Buddha |
Buddha made from brass and fresh
casted bronce |
Buddha standing gold plated |
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Buddha standing in the Monywa
Thambuddhe Pagoda |
Buddha and other sculptures made
from marble |
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all at e-books
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