| Buddhism is becoming a widespread way of thinking | | | | cravings and things that lead to suffering. It is a |
| in the world. Once limited to the regions of Asia | | | | difficult path because life is inherently about suffering. |
| where it was first begun, Buddhism is now one of | | | | A person can achieve a suffering-free life by |
| the fastest growing belief systems in the world. | | | | following the Middle Way, or the Noble Eightfold Path. |
| Founded by Gautama Buddha, around the fifth | | | | The Eightfold Path consists of: |
| century BCE, Buddhism began when this man decided | | | | - Right understanding |
| to leave all of his possessions behind and try to find | | | | - Right intention |
| his meaning in the world. He went through many | | | | - Right speech |
| phases of starving himself, working with teachers, | | | | - Right action |
| and long periods of meditation. At one point, when | | | | - Right livelihood |
| he has been meditating for a much longer time, | | | | - Right effort |
| Buddha is said to have become enlightened while | | | | - Right mindfulness |
| sitting under a tree, losing his ignorance of the world. | | | | - Right concentration |
| In this enlightened state, Buddha is known for | | | | The easiest way to describe these paths is to say |
| founding the ideas that are now the main tenets of | | | | that each person should live simply, without |
| the Buddhist way of thinking. One of these tenets | | | | attachment to things that might cause suffering. By |
| involves Four Noble Truths. Each of these truths has | | | | stopping to see what they are doing in each |
| been found to help end all suffering in the world, | | | | moment, a person can see how they might be able |
| according to Buddhist thought. The truths are: | | | | to live better. Many times, this idea of slowing down |
| - The truth of suffering - meaning that all life is | | | | to observe one's actions is done through meditation. |
| suffering | | | | Through these paths, a person can attain |
| - The truth of suffering's beginning - cravings lead to | | | | enlightenment in Buddhism and become a Buddha as |
| suffering | | | | well. |
| - The truth of ending suffering - giving up all cravings | | | | The idea is that all people have the ability to find their |
| and attachments | | | | own happiness and freedom from pain, but the path |
| - The truth of the way to end suffering - the Middle | | | | is difficult. However, by taking the time to analyze |
| Way | | | | one's life and what is driving them into their personal |
| The basic idea of Buddhism is that to end suffering in | | | | struggle, they can find the peace that is inherent in |
| the world, one must end the attachments to | | | | everyone. |