Buddhism is a world religion that began on the Indian subcontinent, but unlike Hinduism, Buddhism spread to many faraway lands. While Hinduism does not have a single founder, we can trace Buddhism back 2500 years to Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who lived in Shakya, a small kingdom at the foothills of the Himalayas in present day Nepal.

A legend says that before Siddhartha was born, a holy man told his father, King Suddhodana, that if Siddhartha remained in his fathers palace, he would become a great king, but if he learned of the suffering of the outside world, Siddhartha would become a great teacher.

Because Suddhodana wanted Siddhartha to one day rule his kingdom, he shielded his son from anything unpleasant or disturbing.

Siddhartha was raised in luxury. Palace gardeners picked flowers soon after they blossomed so the young prince would never see death. When Siddhartha rode from the palace, guards cleared beggars and sick people from the streets before his chariot approached.

The prince was confused by what he had seen, so one night he put on a simple robe and secretly left his fathers palace. As Siddhartha wandered the streets, he encountered an ascetica holy man who had given up all comforts and pleasures. Siddhartha observed that his new acquaintance was at peace, though he owned nothing.

Siddhartha left his palace and lived with Hindu gurus as an ascetic. He prayed and fasted. To fast is to eat little or no food. Siddhartha fasted so strictly that he became very weak. This made the prince realize that self-denial was not the path to truth.

Finally, Siddhartha sat down under a bodhi tree to meditate. To meditate is to calm your mind, often by focusing on a particular object. After many days and nights of contemplation, Siddhartha reached enlightenmenta state of heightened wisdom.

The Buddha taught his followers to seek balance in their lives. The path to happiness is neither through indulgence nor denial, he said, but a middle way. Siddhartha taught that by putting aside ones own selfish desires, one can escape the cycle of death and rebirth to reach Nirvana.

Siddhartha told other people of his enlightenment. He became well known for his teaching. Siddharthas students called him the Buddha, which means the Enlightened One, and the followers of Siddharthas teachings are called Buddhists.

1. There will always be suffering in life.

2. The cause of suffering comes from our desire to continually search for something outside ourselves.

3. The way to end suffering is to overcome selfish desires.

4. The way to overcome selfish desires is to follow the eightfold path.

Right IntentionBe motivated by good will, kindness, and empathy rather than anger, resentment, or greed.

Right SpeechStrive for your word to be helpful; do not lie or gossip.

Right ConductBe aware of your behavior and always work to be better.

Right LivelihoodChoose a career that results in joy rather than suffering.

Right EffortAvoid anger, jealousy and other negative thoughts

Right MindfulnessBe aware and control your thoughts and emotions so your thoughts and emotions do not control you.

Right MeditationFocus your mind and body so that you can find the path to enlightenment.

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Buddhism for Kids - mrdowling.com