What is buddhism, what are some beliefs?
Buddhism as based on the meditations of Siddhārtha Gautama (the Buddha) is more of a philosophy than a religion. Siddhārtha was born circum 560 BC, son of a Shakya tribal chief on the borders of Nepal. Dissatisfied with the aristocratic life, he left home (at about age 29) and joined a band of ascetics seeking a solution to the suffering they observed around them – especially the miserable life of poor peasant cultivators in the lowest ranks of the Hindu caste system. After several years, Buddha decided that asceticism was not the way, and turned instead to meditation. It is said that in Deer Park at Sarnath, Buddha gave his sermon, the “Turning of the Wheel of the Law” in which he spoke of the Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Buddha’s eight principles of behaviour included the practice of the right belief, right thought, right speech, and right action. The Buddhist code was upon moral conduct without discrimination by caste, class, occupation or wealth. Buddha’s teachings led to a
