ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM

ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM

Buddhism originated in the Indian subcontinent around 2,500 years ago. Its teachings derive from Shakyamuni, also known as Gautama or Siddhartha, who dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength. His teachings were later compiled into sutras, and numerous schools of Buddhism sprang up as his teachings spread after his death.

The Lotus Sutra is highly revered in the Mahayana tradition that reached East Asia. It emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal of helping others to come to a true understanding of life and clarifies that all people possess the life-state of Buddhahood. Nichiren, a 13th-century Japanese priest, found that the Lotus Sutra contained the fullest expression of Shakyamuni''s compassionate intention.

 BUSSHIST PRACTICE

The core element of the Buddhist practice conducted by members of the SGI is chanting the phrase "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo," or devotion to the Lotus Sutra, which was identified by the 13th-century Japanese priest Nichiren as the key to developing the Buddha nature.

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables people to unleash their hidden potential and unlock the courage and compassion to transform their lives and create positive value in their family, community and society. Members usually chant to a mandala called a Gohonzon which is enshrined in their homes.

This primary practice is supported by reciting passages of the Lotus Sutra, as well as studying Buddhist teachings. Another key activity is the discussion meeting, which provides members and guests with the opportunity to share their experiences in faith and support and learn from others. The practice of Buddhism is proactive and engaged with society, and members of the SGI are active in all walks of life as citizens working for a better world.

BUDDHIST CONCEPTS​​

Treasuring Diversity

"'The Buddha's teaching begins with the recognition of human diversity. The humanism of the Lotus Sutra comes down to the tenet of treasuring the individual.' In Nichiren Buddhism, enlightenment is not a matter of changing ourselves into something which we are not. Rather, it is a matter of bringing forth those positive qualities we already possess."

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LIFE OF SHAKYAMUNI

Buddhism originates in the teachings of Shakyamuni (Gautama Siddartha), who was born in what is now Nepal some 2,500 years ago.

Shakyamuni was born a prince, but from a young age he became aware of and was profoundly troubled by the problem of human suffering. He became increasingly possessed by a longing to abandon the secular world and go out in search of a solution to the inherent sufferings of life. Buddhist scriptures describe four encounters which served to awaken in him an awareness of four sufferings common to all people--birth, aging, sickness and death--and a desire to seek their solution. Eventually he renounced his princely status and embarked on a spiritual quest to understand how human suffering could be overcome.

For several years, he subjected himself to ascetic disciplines but found it impossible to reach emancipation through such self-mortification, and eventually rejected these practices. Then, near the city of Gaya, he seated himself under a pipal tree and entered meditation. There he attained an awakening, or enlightenment, to the true nature of life and all things. It was because of this enlightenment that he came to be called Buddha, or "Awakened One." After his awakening, Shakyamuni is said to have remained for a while beneath the tree, rejoicing in his emancipation yet troubled by the knowledge of how difficult it would be to communicate what he had realized to others. At length, however, he resolved to do so, so that the way to liberation from the sufferings of birth and death would be open to all people.

According to tradition, Shakyamuni then traveled widely throughout the Indian subcontinent sharing his enlightened wisdom, promoting peace and teaching people how to unleash the great potential of their lives. His compassionate intention was to enable all people to attain the same awakened state of life that he had attained.

It is thought that Shakyamuni died at age 80. Following his death, his teachings were recorded by his disciples in the form of sutras and spread throughout Asia, giving rise to a number of distinct schools of Buddhism, generally characterized by an emphasis on peace and compassion.

Read more: Life of Shakyamuni and SGI President Ikeda's essay On Shakyamuni