Buddhism and Buddha

Buddhism is often not seen as a religion in the normal understanding as it does not encompass worshipping a creator God. Instead, Buddhism is a path which leads to an insight of the true nature of reality, a path which ultimately culminates in enlightenment as you develop the qualities of wisdom, kindness and awareness. This enlightenment for those who attain it is known as Buddhahood and the spiritual development needed along the journey to Buddhahood includes such practices as meditation which is a means of changing yourself to be able to develope the above mentioned qualities.

The Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal some two and a half thousand years ago. Siddhartha Gautama did not claim to be a god or a prophet, merely a human being who had become enlightened to understand life in a complete and thoroughly deep way. Siddhartha was born into the royal family of a small Nepalese kingdom and had a privileged upbringing but began to ponder the meaning of life as the harsh realities of sickness, old age and death started playing on his mind. This led him to leave the palace and all its fine trappings and become a wandering holy man, practising austerities to such a degree that it almost killed him.

Useful Buddhism and Buddha Links

buddhanet.net
A Basic Buddhism Guide: 5 Minute Introduction

What is Buddhism?
From The Buddhist Society of Western Australia

About Buddhism
Here you will find some information on Buddhism to help you gain a basic understanding of this ancient religion and philosophy.