Buddhism is divided into two main divisions and several sub divisions
based on country and culture, however most traditions share a
fundamental set of beliefs. One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often
referred to as reincarnation however this is not strictly correct. The
Buddhist belief is rebirth rather than reincarnation. The internet site Religious Tolerance explains it in the following way.
"In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a
person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever
again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering
leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to
the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf."
Other fundamental beliefs include the three jewels, the four noble truths, the eightfold path and the five precepts. The three
jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the
community) and taking refuge in them is the basis of Buddhist practice.
The four noble truths are the universality of
suffering, the origin of suffering, the overcoming of suffering and the
way leading to the suppression of suffering.
The way or path is known as the eightfold path and
consists of ditthi: viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to
be, sankappa: intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness, vāc
(vāca): speaking in a truthful and non-hurtful way, karman (kammanta):
acting in a non-harmful way, ājīvana (ājīva): a non-harmful livelihood,
vyāyāma (vāyāma): making an effort to improve, sati: awareness to see
things for what they are with clear consciousness, being aware of the
present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion, samādhi
(samādhi): correct meditation or concentration.
The five precepts outline Buddhist ethics. Do not
kill, be kind to all creatures. Do not steal, give rather than take.
Do not lie, be honest and open. Do not misuse sex and do not consume
alcohol or use recreational drugs.
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