Essay on Buddhism

Long and Short Essay on Buddhism in English for Children and Students

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy derived from the Shramana tradition of India. Its founder was Mahatma Buddha Shakyamuni (Gautama Buddha). He lived from 563 BCE to 483 BCE. It is the fourth largest religion in the world. Most of the followers of this religion live in many countries like China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

The Tripitaka is the main text of Buddhism. It is written in the Pali language. This book is the biggest effort to formulate the teachings given by the Buddha after the consecration of the Buddha.

Long and Short Essay on Buddhism in English

There are about 53 crore Buddhists all over the world. Of these, about 70% are Mahayani Buddhists and the remaining 25% to 30% are Theravadi, Navayani (Indian) and Vajrayani Buddhist. Apart from Mahayana and Theravada (Hinayana), Navayana, Vajrayana, Buddhism also has many other sub-sects or subclasses, but these have little influence.

We have bestowed below long and short essay on Buddhism in different word limits for the review of our avid readers that will help them to understand about the fourth prevalent religion of the world i.e. Buddhism.

From these Buddhism essays you will find out the roots of this religion as well as these essays will clear your concept about this religion. You will know that who had founded it, when it was founded, who was Gautam Buddha, what are his teachings and in which countries the followers of Buddhism live.

Following Buddhism essay are also useful for students when they have specific task on this topic to write short paragraphs, essays, articles, etc. They may use any from the essays provided as per their needs and standard.

Buddhism Essay – 1 (100 Words)

Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. He said the four Arya truths to relieve suffering. He had attained enlightenment under a peepal tree on the banks of the Niranjana River in Gaya. His birthday is celebrated as Buddha Purnima in countries such as Sri Lanka (where it is called Vaishakh), Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Gautama Buddha has told the four Aryan truths related to grief. Sorrow is everywhere in this world in birth, in sickness, in separation from anyone, in the fulfillment of desires. Suffering is the cause of grief. To get rid of worldly sufferings, Lord Gautam Buddha has told about the Ashtangik Path (octagonal path).


 

Buddhism Essay – 2 (150 Words)

Buddha Purnima (Purnima means in Sanskrit “Full Moon”.) is the biggest festival for the followers of Buddhism. It is also known as ‘Buddha Jayanti’. According to Hindu calendar, the full moon of Vaishakh month is celebrated as Buddha Purnima. That is why it is also called ‘Vaishakh Purnima’.

It is the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and Mahaparinirvan, all three took place on the same day i.e. on the day of Vaishakh Purnima.

Followers of Buddhism celebrate Buddha Purnima with much fanfare all over the world. Buddha is the ninth incarnation of Vishnu for the Hindu religionists. Hence, this day is also considered sacred for Hindus.

Many types of ceremonies are organized on this day. Lamps are lit in Buddhist houses and temples on Buddha Purnima day and houses are decorated with flowers. The scriptures of Buddhism are recited continuously.

On the day of Buddha Purnima, many works of charity are done. On this day, distribution of sweetened sattu, water vessel, donating clothes and offering the ancestors are believed to be very virtuous.

Buddhism Essay – 3 (200 Words)

Buddhism is founded by Gautama Buddha. After attaining enlightenment he gave his sermon in Pali, a very simple and spoken language at that time and due to this, the preaching of Buddha spread far and wide. Buddha said that man should stay away from all kinds of sorrows. He described four such truths of life which he advised to always remember. Those are the four truths –

  • Birth, death, disease, desire, and separation all give sorrow.
  • Any kind of desire is the cause of all sorrows.
  • One should control the desires so that we can avoid sorrow.
  • There are eight ways to overcome worldly sorrows. They have been called the octagonal route or the middle path. By adopting the middle path, man is capable of attaining nirvana.

These Octagonal Paths suggested by Gautama Buddha are:

  • Samyak (pure) vision
  • Right Resolution
  • Samyak Vani
  • Samyak Karma
  • Equitable living
  • Proper Exercise
  • Perfect memory
  • Samyak Samadhi

Buddha established many Buddhist associations. They were called Viharas. People of all castes were allowed to enter the Sangh. He lived a very simple life. During his ascetic life he met his needs by asking for alms. Therefore he was called monks in real sense.

Buddhism Essay – 4  (250 Words)

Mahatma Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. He was born to king Shuddhodhan in Lumbini. At the time of his birth, astrologers had told that this child would become a monk who would illuminate the whole world with his supernatural knowledge.

Once he rode the chariot for a walk in his childhood, he saw a shabby body in old age, a patient, a corpse and an ascetic. These had an indelible impact on his life. He began thinking of the ways to get rid of sorrows and sufferings.

One night, he left his home secretly for getting the solution of the questions dwelling in his mind. He reached Bodh Gaya after receiving his first Sankhya philosophy from Alarkalam. He sat under a peepal tree for meditation where he attained enlightenment after rigorous practice. Because of this, his name became Buddha which means awakened, conscious, knowledgeable, etc.

In fact, Gautama Buddha has especially emphasised the quality of non- violence and peace, mercy and compassion, forgiveness and truth in his teachings. The treatise in which his teachings have been compiled is known as Dhammapada.

There are statues of Buddha in many Buddhist temples in many countries. The place called Sarnath near Varanasi is a famous pilgrim place for Buddhists.

The followers of Buddhism are known as Monks and they live in Monasteries. Many contemporary kings adopted Buddhism. Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism and contributed a lot for the dispersal of this religion rapidly. He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghmitra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. The favourite slogan of Buddhism is “Buddham sarnam gachhami, Sangham sarnam Gachhami, Dhammam sarnam gachhami.”


Buddhism Essay – 5  (300 Words)

Introduction

The childhood name of Mahatma Buddha’s was Siddhartha. He is also known as Gautama Buddha. Seeing the birth chart of Siddharth, the king’s astrologer predicted that the child would grow up to be a great saint after penance. The father was worried to hear about becoming a saint. He made all the arrangements for the fun of the child in the palace.

Life and Nature

Siddhartha was compassionate and serious in nature from childhood. His tendency did not change even when he was growing up. Then the father married him to a beautiful girl named Yashodhara. Yashodhara gave birth to a son named Rahul. But Siddharth was worried to see the sufferings of life. He wanted to get rid of all sufferings and sorrows of human life. So at a night, when everyone was sleeping in the palace, Siddhartha woke up secretly and left the palace and went to the forest.

Searching for Enlightenment

He started harsh penance in the forest. His body became weak due to austerity, but the mind did not get peace. He then opted for a moderate path, leaving behind austerity. Finally, he reached a place called Gaya in Bihar and meditated under a peepal tree and received enlightenment. He became ‘Buddha’ from Siddhartha. The tree is known as ‘Bodhivriksha‘.

Buddha visited Sarnath near Varanasi after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath, he gave the first sermon to the disciples. This sequence of preaching continued for his lifetime.  Gautama attained nirvana at the age of eighty.

Impact of his Teachings

Buddha’s teachings had a profound impact on the people. Many kings and common citizens became followers of Buddha. Buddhism received the shelter of kings like Ashoka, Kanishka and Harsha. These kings spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Burma, Sumatra, Java, China, Japan, Tibet etc.

Conclusion

The teachings of Mahatma Buddha were straightforward. He said that the world is full of sorrows. The cause of sorrow is desire. By abandoning desires, a person is released from sorrows. The teachings of Lord Buddha are very relevant even today.


Buddhism Essay –  6 (350 Words)

Introduction

Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha. Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini Nepal in 563 BCE. His childhood name was Siddharth. His father’s name was Shuddhodhan. A few days after the birth of Gautama Buddha, his mother Mayadevi died and was then raised by his step-mother Gautami. When Siddhartha was 16 years old, he was married to Yashodhara. They had a son named Rahul.

Beginning of Spiritual Life

Once, Siddhartha went with his charioteer to visit Kapilavastu, he saw four scenes: an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic. He asked his charioteer about them. The charioteer said that all these are the truth of life. He left his house to answer such questions at the age of 29.

Becoming Gautama Buddha

After leaving home, he received Sankhya philosophy from Alarkalam and practiced hard penance under the Peepal tree, on the banks of the Niranjana River, for 6 years. He attained enlightenment at the age of 35. After attaining enlightenment, he came to be known as Gautama Buddha. The place where he attained enlightenment came to be known as Bodh Gaya.

His First Sermon

He gave his first sermon at Sarnath in Varanasi which is called Dharma Chakra Enforcement. He gave most of his teachings in Pali language in Srivasti. Bimbasar, Prasenjit and Udayan, the prominent rulers, were his followers.

Mahaparinirvan/Death

Gautama Buddha died in Kushinagar by feeding poisoned food by Chund which is called Mahaparinirvan. It is said that eight Stupas have been built there by dividing the remains of his body into eight parts. Buddhism is atheistic and believes in rebirth.

Two Parts of Buddhism

Buddhism is divided into two parts Hinayana and Mahayana. Those who had taken renunciation (left home and relationships) were monks and those who followed Buddhism while staying at the home have been called worshipers.

Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism

Emperor Ashoka adopted this religion. He was one of the great followers of Buddha. He was highly influenced by the humanistic views of the Buddha. He had installed many pillars in the memory of Buddha which are still known as Ashoka Stambha in Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, and Lumbani. In fact, it is a religion that teaches humanity and makes us aware of the truth of life.


Buddhism Essay –  7 (400 Words)

Introduction

Buddhism is a religion and great philosophy derived from the Shramana tradition of India. Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha in the 6th century BC, and Tripitaka is its scripture. The main sects in Buddhism are: Mahayana, Theravada, Vajrayana, and Navayana, but Buddhism is the same and all believe the principles of Gautama Buddha.

In the next five centuries of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvan, Buddhism spread throughout the Indian subcontinent and also spread to the central, eastern and southeastern regions of Asia over the next two thousand years. Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world.

The teachings of the Buddha

After the Mahaparinirvan of Gautama Buddha, different sects of Buddhism have emerged, but all of them have many theories.  Buddha has imparted four Arya truths, Octagonal Path, Panchsheel etc. for his followers.

Four Arya truths

  • The sorrow: Gautam Buddha told that there is sorrow in this world. There is sorrow in birth, in old age, in sickness, in death, in getting away from loved ones.
  • Trishna/Desire: Trishna or desire is the cause of sorrow and continues in the world by regaining power.
  • Grief: Freedom from craving can be found.
  • Path of Grief: Salvation from craving can be attained by living according to the ascendant path.

Octagonal Route: According to Buddhism, the Arya Ashtanga Path of the Fourth Arya Truth is the way to stop suffering. Gautama Buddha used to say that this path should be followed to determine the truth of the Four Noble Truths:

  • Right view: Believing in four Arya truths.
  • Right Resolution: To pledge mental and moral development.
  • Right Speech: Do not say harmful things and lie.
  • Samyak Karma: Do not do harmful deeds.
  • Right to Livelihood: Do not do any direct or indirect harmful business.
  • Right Effort: Trying to improve on your own.
  • Samyak Smriti: Trying to get mental ability to see with clear knowledge.
  • Samyak Samadhi: Achieving Nirvana and Self Disappearance.

Bodhi: The knowledge found from Gautama Buddha is called Bodhi. It is believed that only after getting Bodhi can be rid of the world. Bodhi can be attained only by the perfection of all the Parameter, the complete understanding of the four Aryan truths and the prevention of Karma. At this time, greed, guilt, attachment, ignorance, craving and belief in the soul all disappear.

Conclusion

Some people consider the Arya Ashtanga Marg as a path, in which to move forward, it is necessary to attain the level of the previous. And people feel that the levels of this passage are found all together.


Buddhism Essay –  8 (500 Words)

Introduction

When tyranny, incest unrest, ignorance, blind faith, and stereotypes take root in the society, then some great man is born to remove these evil practices in the society.

Mahatma Gautama Buddha was also born in a similar period when many types of evil practices were showing their ill effects in society. He tried to remove these evils by giving a message of non-violence, love, sacrifice, and peace in the society.

Birth

Mahatma Gautama Buddha was born in 563 BCE. His father’s name was Shuddhodhan, and mother’s name was Maya. He was born in a place called Lumbini. His mother died a few days after his birth. So she was nurtured by her stepmother Gautami. He was the only child of his father. Therefore his father loved him very much.

Childhood

Mahatma Buddha was different from other children since childhood. Often children are naughty and playful. But Buddha was calm and serious from childhood.

Marriage

As Mahatma Buddha began to grow up, his temperament also began to change. He was not interested in worldly pleasures. Seeing this nature of the son, king Shuddhodhan was very worried. He took many measures to keep the son happy. He was given the means of happiness, but nothing could attract Mahatma Buddha. So the father married her with a very beautiful girl Yashodhara. After some time they had a son.

Changes in the mind

Changes started gradually in the mind of Mahatma Buddha.  On his tour towards Kapilavastu, he saw an old man in the city. On seeing him, he asked the charioteer who is this? Why has this condition happened? The charioteer said that this condition of all men happens in old age.

On the way Siddharth saw a patient. Seeing the patient, he asked the charioteer about him. The charioteer replied this time that he was a patient and a human condition is caused by diseases. Siddhartha’s sense of disinterest increased with these incidents. His mind drifted from worldly pleasures. He decided to leave the world to learn the secret of life.

Home sacrifice

He woke up one day at night. He saw his wife and son for a long time and left them in a deep sleep and left the house quietly.

In Search of Solution

Siddharth started doing austerities by wandering in the forests. This made his body weak. Finally they reached Gaya. Sitting under the Peepal tree there, he meditated for several days. He got knowledge there. After this he came to Sarnath. There he preached to the five sages. He roamed the entire country and reached Kapilavastu. There he also preached his parents, son and wife. They also became Buddhists after listening to his teachings.

Teachings

He called non-violence the ultimate religion. He preached kindness, sympathy, friendship etc. His teachings had a great impact. Buddhism has influence even today in countries like China, Japan, Lanka Tibet, Nepal etc.

Conclusion

Mahatma Buddha continued to propagate religion throughout his life. Finally, while promoting it, at the age of eighty, he died in Kushinagar. He became immortal even after dying. Even today, his millions of veteran worship him like a God.

 

Related Information:

  • Buddha Purnima

 

See Also:

  • Essay on Hinduism
  • Essay on Christianity
  • Essay on Islam
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