Doctrine of Buddhism

Goutam Siddhartha who was Kshatriya prince of the Saka clan. He was born in 563BC(or 576 BC as is believed by some historian) at Lumbini in Nepal and was the son of Suddodhana, Raja of Kapilavastu. He left his family at the age of 29 in search of truth (also called the great Renunciation) and wandered about for seen years.

He received enlightenment at Bodh Gaya under a Pipal tree and became the Buddha. He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath in Benaras. he spread his message for about 40 years and died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kushinagar in Deoria district of eastern Uttar Pradesh.


Buddhism is called as the fourth greatest religion in the world originated in India. Buddhism received state patronage of kings like Ashoka the Great, and it spread to neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Japan, Vietnam,Thailand.

Doctrine of Buddhism

1. The Four Great Truths
2. The Eight-Fold Path
3. Belief in Nirvana
4. Belief in Ahimsa
5. Law of Karma
6. Existence of God

1. The Four Great Truths

• The world is full of sorrow and misery
• The cause of all pain and misery is desire
• Pain and misery can be ended by killing or controlling desire
• Desire can be controlled by following the Eight-Fold Path

2. The Eight-Fold Path consists of : Right thought, Right action, Right livelihood, Right efforts, Right speech, Right remembrance and Right concentration.
3. Belief in Nirvana when desire ceases, rebirth ceases and Nirvana is attained, i.e., freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth is gained by following the eight-fold path.
4. Belief in Ahimsa is one should not cause injury to any living being, animal or man.
5. Law of Karma is man reaps the fruit of his past deeds.
6. Existence of God is Buddhism is silent about the existence of God.

Causes for the rise of Buddhism

• Vedic rights had become very complicated and expensive
• Domination by Brahmins who monopolized the religion
• Use of difficult and outdated language in religious ceremonies