Guatama was born in Kapilavastu. He was the son of a small kingdom. Even from birth he was believed to be either a great ruler or a sage. Until the age of 29 he was raised in an excellent environment. This is when he realized that something was missing from his life. Guatama gave up all of his earthly possessions and embarked on a journey searching for enlightenment and peace through yoga. At some point on this journey he released himself from the cycle of rebirths.
Eventually he developed a way of life that combined the pleasures of life with higher spirituality.It is said that this began one day as he sat under a Bo tree. He began his process of meditation that took him into a higher state of conciousness. That is the moment when he reached his peak of enlightenment.
It was after this period that he went through a time of extreme inner struggle. He began preaching... he wandered through different region gathering followers and organized them into a structure called Sangha. This would be how he spent the rest of his life.
Buddha was an oral teacher, therefore his teachings were not written down by him. They were instead written by those who were touched by his teachings.
-Nothing lasts forever. Understand this and be not attached to what you are experiencing, otherwise you will experience suffering. When you experience happiness know that it is a reaction to circumstance and it is not a permanent state. Conversely, when you are suffering know that it shall not be eternal.
-Craving sensory stimulation, craving existence, and craving non-existence give rise to the continuity of being, and with it its attendant suffering. Attaining a state of non-craving should be part of your daily effort.
-One can end eternal suffering by ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering.
-Ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering is brought about through living by the ideals of the Noble Eightfold Path. It delineates a plan of self-discipline regarding ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. The Path avoids two extremes--the pursuit of complete and ultimate sensory pleasure, or the pursuit of utter self-denial
Another important part of Buddhism is the belief in karma. According to the basic laws of karma, what you send out will ultimately come back to you.
The goal of a Buddhist is to reach the state of Nirvana. Nirvana is reaching your final goal, reaching your destiny and becoming a spirit of ultimate goodness and blessings. It is when you no longer go through the process of rebirth.
