Zen Buddhism

Zen is the most well-known modern school of Buddhism. It follows Siddhartha Gautama's belief that enlightenment should be achieved through meditation. People following the idea of zen believe that all people have a "Buddha nature" in them but it is just being clouded by ignorance and the only way to bring forth their hidden Buddha nature is by clearing your mind through meditation and ridding it of desires and ignorance. Usually in Zen Buddhism, a master guides a disciple through the meditation process to achieve enlightenment.

Reincarnation

The concept of death and rebirth as an animal or human depending on your actions in your past life is what is usually thought of when someone talks about reincarnation. But in Buddhism, that is not necessarily the case. Many historians believe that this idea was used during the time of Buddha in order to frighten people into acting better. The idea of reincarnation in
Buddhism centers around the "Law of Conservation of Moral Energy." This just means that any spiritual and mental action that is put out into the universe is not forgotten and will not go unnoticed. This idea then leads to the idea of karma, which is essential in reincarnation in Buddhism. Karma is the consequences of our actions and if we act morally in this life, according to Buddhist belief, in our next life we will be better off. In other words karma can be summarized as "a good cause, a good effect; a bad cause, a bad effect."

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/reincarnation.htm

Path to Enlightenment

First Step for Buddhists is to understand and accept the four Noble Truths
4 Noble Truths
1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment is gone
4. Follow 8 Fold Path to end suffering

8 Fold Path (and quality perfected)
1. Right View (Wisdom)
2. Right Thought
3. Right Speech (Morality)
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort (Meditation)
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Contemplation

Factors and Hindrances of Enlightenment
Factors: 1. Mindfullness 2. Investigation 3. Energy 4.Rapture 5. Tranquility
6.Concentration 7. Equanimity

Hindrances: 1. Sensuous Lust 2. Aversion/Ill Will 3. Sloth
4. Restlessness and worry 5. Skeptical Doubt

Buddha Bio

Name: Shakyamuni Buddha (birth name: Guatama)
Born/Death: 563-483 B.C.E
Early Life:
- Son of the chief of the Shakya Clan
- Considered by a fortune teller to be a "Religious Leader"
- Father hoped to protect his son from all of the dangers and "unpleasant" sides of life
- Grew up in wealth and luxury

Pre-enlightenment:
- post marriage and birth of his first son, Guatama went out to explore the world
- he came across 3 very important human experiences that would shape the religion of
Buddhism
1. Crippled man
2. an Aged man
3. Funnery Corpse

After seeing these three occurrences he experienced something that affect him in a very profound way. He saw a monk trying to gain liberation. After witnessing this he grew tired of living in such luxury and left his family in the care of his father's estate. He then went on a 6 year journey to find enlightenment.

Religions Book Section Buddhism