Applying Buddhist Teachings to Live a Happier Life, Both Online and Offline

Buddhism: The Origins

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titledcterms:titleBuddhism: The Origins
descriptiondcterms:descriptionA brief overview of the origins of Buddhism and the creation of the Eightfold Path
contentsioc:contentBuddhism began in the fifth century B.C.E. (before common era), about 2,500 years ago. It was founded by a man named Siddhartha Guatama, who would later be known as The Buddha, which means 'The Enlightened One.'

Siddhartha was born in what is today northern India. It was a land dominated by the Hindu religion, and Buddhism came about partially as a response to Hindu practices. Like any historical story, there are different versions of Siddhartha's life and the beginning of Buddhism, no one can know for sure how the actual events went. For this Scalar book, I will tell the version I like the best.

Siddhartha was born a prince, the son of a great king and queen. The story goes that while his mother was pregnant with him, she saw a vision of a white elephant, and knew that her son would have a great influence over the world. Sadly, only 7 days after Siddhartha's birth, she died.

Siddhartha grew up like any prince, learning culture, weaponry, history, and all sorts of other subjects. He excelled at everything, but the one thing missing from his life, all the way into adulthood, was suffering. Siddhartha was never allowed to see any kind of suffering, no death, no sickness, and no elderly people. One day Siddhartha left the palace walls and saw all of these things. Seeing the suffering led him to renounce his life and go in search of the truth.

A hop, skip and a jump later, the man who would become known as the Buddha attained Enlightenment, he found the truth. If you would like to know more about that journey, click here.

Among his most valuable teachings are those of the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path. The Middle Path refers to balance in all things, and the Eightfold Path is a set of 8 steps to live a happier life and alleviate suffering. This Scalar book will teach you about these principles and how to incorporate them into your life to be happier and positively influence the world around you.

Buddhism is a very old, very complex philosophy religion. But by no means do you have to spend your life studying Buddhism for it to make you a happier person. Even at more than 2,000 years old, the teachings of Buddhism can help us navigate the increasingly complex, technological world in which we live.









References
Hopfe, Lewis M., Woodward, Mark R. Religions of the World. Vango Books. 2009.
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