by Wendy Brock

Created on: February 13, 2008

Buddhism is a religion created out of the necessity to find an end to suffering. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder and creator of Buddhism, and now referred to as The Buddha, learned at an early age that all people suffer. His devotion to finding a cure led him to found this worldwide religion.

The story begins with a young prince, Siddhartha Gautama. When he was born into the royal family of the ancient Sakya clan, a prophecy was made about him that he would become a holy man. His father, the ruler of the land, didn't want this to happen, and tried to keep him comfortable within the palace walls and ignorant of the outside world.

When Gautama was sixteen, he married his cousin, who bore him a son. The day that changed his life forever was the day he laid eyes upon an old man. He questioned his charioteer who the man was, not understanding why he was gray haired and wrinkled. The charioteer told him "That is old age." This began Gautama's search for the end of suffering and how to reach it.

He sat out on a journey called the "The Great Departure" to find the end to suffering. He traveled far and wide and finally decided to sit under a fig tree and meditate until he discovered what he needed to know.

At the age of 35, prince Siddhartha Gautama became the "Enlightened One" under a fig tree, now known as the "Bodhi Tree." Through his deep meditations, Gautama founded Buddhism, a way to Enlightenment, and now practiced by 6% of the world's people.

There is no god for Buddhists to worship, however they follow the principles of The Four Noble Truths:

1. Life means suffering. Throughout life there are trials, sickness, poverty, and death. Instead of getting caught up in the suffering, one must accept it as a part of life.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment. This attachment to physical things and to ideas will only lead to suffering. Removing oneself from attachment will relieve suffering.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable. Through a concept called "Nirodha," one can detach from craving things and sensual desires. Suffering is believed to be overcome by removing the cause of suffering. When a person attains the state of truly detaching themselves from suffering, the result is "Nirvana." Nirvana is the freedom from all worries, desires, and suffering.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path. This is a gradual path of self-improvement.

The Eightfold Path:
1. Right View - Through wisdom of the Four Noble Truths one can see things as they really

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