Information on some topics is easy to find on the Internet – if you are interested in casino games, for example, you can find many resources that will teach you how to play optimally. This applies to all games: for online blackjack Australia, for example, there are many guides that will show you to play like a pro. But while some topics may seem simple at first glance, an internet search can teach nothing but the basics.
Buddhism is one of these topics – almost everyone has an opinion about what it is, but most of this information is hearsay and has nothing to do with reality. Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, with nearly 500 million followers, and it’s hard to find out what you need to know about it with simple online searches. Still, you can at least use the internet resources to correct what you know wrong. In this article, we’ll do just that and share five interesting facts about Buddhism that will make you question what you know.
There Is No Holy Book
Every religion has its own holy book, but Buddhism is not one of them. As we will discuss below, Buddhism has no God or prophet. For the same reason, there is no scripture that conveys the words of God or the prophet. However, there are multiple books explaining the life and teachings of Buddha, the most famous of which is the “Tripitaka”.
This book was written nearly 2000 years ago, and its name means “Triple Basket”. It is not known by whom it was written – the book consists of a transcription of Buddha’s sermons. The “Sutras” and “The Book of the Dead” are among other important written sources of Buddhism. Interestingly, the last one has many similarities with Ancient Egypt’s Book of the Dead.
Buddhism Is the World’s Only Atheist Religion
Every religion in the world is based on the idea of a divine creator. In other words, a “God” is the common denominator of all religions. The only exception is Buddhism: this religion has no God, and even the idea of a God is flatly rejected. This is because Buddhism believes that enlightenment cannot be achieved as long as one believes in the existence of a God. Buddha himself rejects the idea of a divine creator: the goal is to achieve spiritual liberation, and belief in a God figure will prevent this.
There are supernatural figures in Buddhism, but they only help Buddhists achieve enlightenment. They have not created anything and have no other purpose than to help people. So, if you think of dozens of gods when you think of Buddhism, you’re wrong: those gods are part of Hinduism, not Buddhism.
Buddhism Is the Only Religion Spreading Through Peaceful Methods
All the major religions in the world have some kind of war in their history. When you look at the history of Christianity, you see the Crusades, and when you look at the past of others, you see tribal wars. The only exception to this “rule” may be Buddhism since there was no war in its past, and its spread took place by peaceful means. Buddhists spread their faith with speeches, inscriptions carved into stones, and monks wandering between villages. They never thought of fighting among themselves or against others.
Buddha’s Name Was Not Buddha
Buddha began his life as “Siddhartha Gautama” and was born in 623 B.C. in the famous Lumbini gardens (today, it is a centre for Buddhist pilgrims). Gautama was a prince and lived in prosperity. But when he saw the poverty outside the palace, he put aside his royal title and wealth.
Gautama meditated for three days, sitting under a fig tree for enlightenment. It is rumoured that he struggled with Mara, the God of Desire, during his meditation and won this fight. Gautama attained enlightenment during his meditation and took the name Buddha – that was not his original name. This fig tree is under protection today and stands in the same place.
There Is Not a Single Buddha
Buddha is not like the prophets of other religions. Anyone who reaches enlightenment (nirvana) in Buddhism is called a “Buddha”, and this has happened multiple times throughout history (this is one of the reasons Buddha statues depict different people). In other words, anyone can be a Buddha as long as they attain Nirvana: Siddhartha Gautama was only the first Buddha, not the only one.
The interesting thing here is that no one (for example, a divine being) can make you Buddha. The only thing that can make a person a Buddha is himself. Anyone who maintains good karma and follows Buddhist teachings has the potential to become one.