Beliefs  /  Ritual and Worship  /  Lifestyle  /  Holidays  /  Cooperation

Beliefs

Buddhist Mandala

• The ultimate reality of Buddhism is that there is no ultimate reality. 

• Buddhists believe that everything is constantly changing and that the idea of self is non-existent. 

• To Buddhists, self is nothing more that five transient components, known as the khandas. 

The purpose of life is to gain Nirvana, which is generally seen as a state of being that is free from any suffering.  However, some sects of Buddhism see Nirvana as a type of heaven.  In order to attain Nirvana, one must believe in the Four Noble Truths and follow the Noble Eightfold Path.  In Buddhism there is generally not a deity deciding who gets to achieve Nirvana.  People must want it and achieve it for themselves.

• Meditation:  Calms the mind and teaches it to fully concentrate; this is the ultimate way to reach enlightenment
• Mantras: These are sacred sounds used in large groups rituals; they are believed to provide protection to those who chant them
• Mudras: Symbolic gestures; most often done with the hands and in conjunction with mediation; different hand positions have different meanings
• Prayer Wheels: Used so that large groups can follow a prayer together; each part of the wheel represents a different part of a prayer
• Monasticism:  Followed by those who give up worldly possessions in order to gain further spiritual enlightenment
• Pilgrimage: Followers take trips to sacred sites in order to come closer to enlightenment
• Veneration:  adoration of the Buddha or others Buddhas

• The lifestyle of the Buddhist people is the most important part of their lives. 
• Buddhism is a way of life
• Follow the Five Precepts in order to live a moral life. 
• These are somewhat comparable to the Ten Commandments of Christianity. 
• These apply to all Buddhists, but those Buddhists who are monks or nuns have an additional five precepts. 
• The emphasis on Buddhist morality is on intention rather than action. 
• Degree of the sin is dependent not only on the sin committed but also by the intention to commit the act. 
• Advocates the idea of the Middle Way, a way of living that advocates moderation in all things. 
• There are very few things that Buddhism prohibits, but one must remember that all is good in moderation. 

•  Buddhist New Year:  this holiday celebrates the coming of a new year and is celebrated on different days in different parts of the world
•  Vesak (Buddha Day): this is the celebration of the birthday of the Buddha and is celebrated during the first full moon in May
•  Sangha Day: this day is to commemorate the visit of the Buddha to Veruvana Monastery, where he was received by over 1500 people who paid their respects to him; it is celebrated during the full moon in March
•  Dhamma Day:  celebrates the Buddhas first sermon and is celebrated on the day of the full moon in July