A Brief History of the Creation of the Religion of Buddhism
The concept of modern Buddhism and pre-modern Buddhism differs as society developed throughout the years and had to change their social construct and beliefs to adapt to the changes throughout the world. This paper will acknowledge what the religion Buddhism is and who is Siddhartha Gautama, what influence he had.
The history of Buddhism began, by this religion emerging from the central plains of the river Ganges about 2,500 years ago. Over the past couple of centuries, Buddhism has traveled throughout many other countries and during this process, the religion has absorbed much of local tradition and underwent exciting new phases of development. The Indian elements that were embedded in the religion have always remained central and fundamental. Buddhism appeared from an alternative and different religious stream, the origins of which predate the Aryan invasion. It was an ancient yogic tradition, originally without professional priesthood or formal organization, which places primary emphasis on direct personal penetration of the ultimate mysteries of life. The religion was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a unique spiritual genius he was born in Northeastern India, in the sixth century. Siddhartha Gautama known as the Buddha “the awakened one” he was a leader and creator of a sect of wanderer ascetics that existed in India during that time. The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Lumbini, which today is Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama was born into a wealthy family prince in which is today Nepal. He had a early life, but he was moved by suffering worldwide. He gave up his expensive lifestyle and went through poverty. When he died in 483 B.C., his followers put together a religious movement. The Buddha's teaching form a foundation now know as Buddhism.
During the times when Siddhartha Gautama was living India was living through a time where religious orders were being challenged because the new philosophical and religious schools were not sharing the same beliefs as the orthodox Indian religious views. “The Vedic philosophy, theology and metaphysics, along with its ever-growing complexity of rituals and sacrificial fees, was being questioned”. During these times and the situations that was happening as well made Materialistic schools go out of their ways and start to do different things by undermining reputation and authority of priestly class and they lead an religious anarchy for a while, this created new developments to many religions. When Gautama was born the old Brahminic orthodox was stronger and moral vacuum that had new religious and philosophical beliefs.
Gautama had the same beliefs another called Kapila that was born two centuries earlier than Gautama. Both of these philosophers believed in providing humanity with a relief from suffering. They believed that the rite of the Vedic was harsh to living beings especially the sacrifices. They both believed that with knowledge and mediation they can find the true means of salvation. They both had different views as Kapila had more of an philosophic system and it didn’t have any sympathy for mankind and Buddha message was embracing sympathy and he has a deep concern for the poor and the oppressed. Buddha had thought in favor of the equality of men and the opposed inequalities and abused of the caste system.
In conclusion, Siddhartha Gautama, the young prince of Buddha, was twenty-nine years old when he left his palace to search for spiritual peace. He saw great things to come now in his life, and he started believing in what we called today Buddhism.
