5 Minute Introduction
• What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35. • Is Buddhism a Religion? To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. (1) to lead a moral life, (2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and (3) to develop wisdom and understanding. • How Can Buddhism Help Me? Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to true happiness. • Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular? Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries for a number of reasons, The first good reason is Buddhism has answers to many of the problems in modern materialistic societies. • Who Was the Buddha? • Was the Buddha a God? • Do Buddhists Worship Idols?
Teaching World History & Geography - Conceptual Frameworks
What to teach: conceptual frameworks This is the second component of a world history and geography body of knowledge to be taught in school: ....... chronological narrative ....... conceptual frameworks ....... thinking strategies What are conceptual frameworks? It is the job of conceptual frameworks to connect and organize knowledge to make it more meaningful. The alphabet, for example, is an artificial structure imposed on spoken language that enables us to read and write. A review of literature from history education and cognitive research strongly suggests that conceptual frameworks, by whatever name, contribute to meaningful understanding and should be a major component of history education. Themes History and geography educators often speak in terms of "themes" that represent an interest in phenomena that are manifested across several historical periods and/or geographic locations, and thus may offer useful insights into how humans generally behave and how the world generally works.
Basics of Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's teachings, though they leave much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. More simply put, suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a cause to bring about its end. The notion of suffering is not intended to convey a negative world view, but rather, a pragmatic perspective that deals with the world as it is, and attempts to rectify it. The concept of pleasure is not denied, but acknowledged as fleeting. The Four Noble Truths are a contingency plan for dealing with the suffering humanity faces -- suffering of a physical kind, or of a mental nature. The Third Noble Truth, the truth of the end of suffering, has dual meaning, suggesting either the end of suffering in this life, on earth, or in the spiritual life, through achieving Nirvana.
World History for Us All
The religion of Buddhism
Religions of the world Menu Quotation by Siddhãrtha Gautama (Buddha): "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Sponsored link Background: Buddhism currently has about 376 million followers and is generally listed as the world's fourth largest religion after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Topics covered in this section: Sponsored link: Amazon.com's online store lists the following books on Buddhism: If you see a generic Amazon.com ad here, please click on your browser's refresh key. For an introduction to Buddhism, we recommend the following books. Thubten Chodron, "Buddhism for Beginners." Not a sponsored link Site navigation: Copyright © 1996 to 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Latest update: 2013-JUL-08 Author: B.A. Sponsored link
EyeWitness To The Middle Ages and Renaissance
Life in a Christian Monastery, ca. 585"When he was dead his body was not placed with the bodies of the brethren, but a grave was dug in the dung pit, and his body was flung down into it. . . " Crime and punishment in a medieval monastery: the monastery's Abbott provides insight into the monastic life. The Vikings Discover America, ca. 1000"There was no want of salmon either in the river or in the lake." Five hundred years before Columbus, the Vikings discover a New World. Invasion of England, 1066The Norman conquest of Anglo-Saxon England described through the images of the 900 year-old Bayeux Tapestry. Anarchy in 12th Century EnglandThe Anglo-Saxon Chronicle paints a sobering picture of life in 12th century England that contrasts strikingly with Hollywood's image of the Middle Ages. The Murder Of Thomas Becket, 1170The killing of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Crusaders Capture Jerusalem, 1099The assault and capture of the Christian "Navel of the World"
Sacred Texts: Buddhism
Sacred-texts home Journal Articles: Buddhism OCRT: Buddhism Buy CD-ROM Buy Books about Buddhism Modern works Southern Buddhism Northern Buddhism JatakaLinks Modern works The Gospel of Buddha: Compiled from Ancient Records by Paul Carus [1909]A modern retelling of the Buddha's work and life. Buddha, the Word by Paul Carus Amitabha by Paul Carus [1906]Buddhist concepts of God, non-violence, and religious tolerance. The Buddhist Catechism by Henry S. The Creed of Buddha by Edmond Holmes (2nd. ed.) [1919]A Pantheist looks at contemporary Western views of Buddhism. The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold [1922], tr. by Paul C. A Buddhist Bible by Dwight Goddard (1st ed.) [1932]An edited (but not watered-down) collection of key Zen documents, a favorite of Jack Kerouac. The Smokey the Bear Sutra by Gary Snyder.A much beloved short poem about the relationship between Buddhism and ecology, written by one of the 'beat' era poets, simultaneously funny and profound. Southern Buddhism Jataka BBS Files
Buddhism Basics
Buddhism is a major Asian religion that began in India in the 6th century C.E., spread to China, and then to the rest of the world. It is centered around the teachings of a man named Siddhartha Gautama who came to be known as "the Buddha" after he achieved enlightenment into true reality when he was about 35 years old. Siddhartha Gautama, or the historical Buddha, was born a Hindu and grew up in Hindu culture. Buddhism, like any other major world religion, contains different groups within it. Theravada means "doctrine of the elders" and is one of the earliest forms of Buddhist religion. Mahayana means "great vehicle" which is a term that arose, to an extent, in opposition to Theravada. Vajrayana means "thunderbolt" or "diamond" vehicle and is a form of Buddhism prominent in Tibet and in other areas which feature tantric and shamanistic practices. Other forms of the religion include Zen and Pure Land. Buddhism is a philosophy as much as it is a religion.
