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Religious Belief » Buddhism » History HistoryAll things are created impermanent. Strive on with awareness.
(Said to be the last words of the Buddha) Buddhism derives from the teaching of Siddhartha Guatama who was born into a princely family near the border with Nepal in India during the 6 th century BCE (B.C.E - Before the Common Era). Leaving a life of luxury to seek an answer to the question of human suffering, Siddhartha found enlightenment through meditation. He became known as Buddha or enlightened one. Buddhism means the teachings of Buddha and this is a way of life. The term Buddha is derived from budh, meaning to be awakened. Over the centuries, Buddhism has spread widely and has main divisions into Theravadan
and Mahayana types.The main teachings are same in all traditions, their expression
varies with the culture in which they are embedded. There are over 300 million
Buddhists worldwide and there are many variations of Buddhism. While most Buddhists
have been born into a Buddhist family or culture, many Buddhists in the UK have
consciously converted to Buddhism.
Northern Ireland
There are a few individual Theravadan Buddhist practitioners in Northern Ireland. There is, as well, a Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa community (Sangha) based in the Belfast area that meets for weekly meditation. They also receive monthly teachings from a resident Tibetan Lama throughout the winter months. A Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Co. Cavan serves as a focal point for Irish Tibetan Buddhists of the Gelugpa Tradition. In 2003 a Zen community of Practitioners was established in Belfast. They have weekly meditation and visiting teachers. |
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