Buddhism
Background
Buddhism, one of the world’s great religions, is rich with diverse traditions. Despite these variances, most share a set of core tenets that form the foundation of the faith.
At the heart of Buddhism lies a profound belief in reincarnation – the idea that one’s soul is reborn after death. It’s said that most people will experience many cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth. However, Buddhists differentiate between two distinct concepts – rebirth and reincarnation. While reincarnation involves the recurrence of the same entity, rebirth involves the emergence of something similar, yet distinct, akin to a fresh leaf growing from a withering one.
The Buddha, or “enlightened one,” expounded this philosophy of life in 6th-century B.C. India. His teachings, however, do not espouse any theistic worldview or belief in a deity. Instead, the Buddha’s teachings are solely focused on alleviating the suffering of sentient beings.
In summary, Buddhism offers a profound and fascinating perspective on the nature of existence, the cycle of life and death, and the ultimate liberation from suffering.