Buddhism is often called the oldest world religion. Its occurrence dates back to the sixth century BC. The debate about the place of origin of this religious and philosophical teaching continues to this day, and is unlikely to ever stop. It is practically impossible to back up any hypothesis with documentary evidence, since so much water has flowed over these two and a half thousand years. States were created and destroyed, their borders were changed. Written sources that have survived to our time were created according to oral legends and traditions, because writing on Earth arose later.
Buddha's birthplace
The main contenders for the title of the birthplace of Buddhism are the countries of Nepal and India. With regard to the birthplace of Buddha, they managed to reach a consensus, the debate subsided, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became enlightened Buddha, was recognized as the city of Lumbini, located on the territory of modern Nepal. This city is now a pilgrimage site for many Buddhists from around the world.
It would seem, what now to argue? If you know the country in which Buddha was born, then this country is the birthplace of Buddhism. Alas, if everything was so simple! The basis for endless debate on this topic is the fact that for most of his conscious life, Buddha lived and taught in the north-eastern part of ancient India, in the provinces of Magaji and Kosala. And it becomes clear India’s claim to the title of the birthplace of Buddhism, because such a philosophical concept as Buddhism could be comprehended, formulated and in an accessible and understandable form to convey to students only a mature and wise person.
Buddhism: religion, philosophy or ...
Language does not turn to call Buddhism a religion, although it is officially recognized as one of the three world religions.
The most striking feature of this rather philosophical than religious teaching is comprehensive, unsurpassed tolerance. Unlike Christianity and Islam, in Buddhism there is no concept of the all-knowing and omnipotent god, sin or jihad, he does not require his adherents to sacredly acknowledge any dogmas and implicitly execute them, preach and spread the faith. It completely lacks rejection of the faith of others. Buddhism does not require a person to suffer and perform feats in the name of Buddha in this life in exchange for eternal bliss after death.
Buddhism encourages a person to lead a moderate, even passionless, lifestyle, to cultivate mental and emotional poise through meditation. The main moral principle of Buddhism can be called mercy and compassion for people.
Buddha for the adherents of Buddhism is not a god, he is the founder, mentor, teacher. Buddhists do not profess faith in the all-knowing and omnipotent creator god, who is able to forgive and punish. According to the philosophy of Buddhism, any person is a particle of God, and anyone, having achieved enlightenment, can become the next Buddha.
Where is the birthplace of Buddhism?
I want to answer this question: in the soul of man. This is a religion of an ethical-philosophical, and not a mystical plane, and the main thing in it is perfection, the search for the truth of being, the sources of human troubles and ways to get rid of them. There are no miracles in it, but there are noble truths:
- about the nature of suffering;
- about the origin and causes of suffering;
- the cessation of suffering and the elimination of its sources;
- about ways to end suffering.
The moral and ethical principles of Buddhism are based on non-harm to the world and moderation. Adherents of Buddhism throughout the course of their life bring up and develop morality, concentration and wisdom in themselves. And the constant meditations of Buddhists, the knowledge of cause-effect relationships between the physical and the spiritual, make it possible to establish control of the mind over psychological processes.
Buddhism is not a religion. This is the way ... The long life path of a person to self-realization.
Conclusion
Which country is the birthplace of Buddhism? Unfortunately, the exact answer has been lost for centuries, and is unlikely to ever be found. With confidence, only one thing can be said: Buddhism arose in a country located in antiquity on the territory of modern northeastern India and the adjacent territory of modern Nepal. And wise people inhabited this country.