RLG100Y1 Lecture Notes - Bodhisattva Vow, Bodh Gaya, Ficus Religiosa
Document Summary
Buddha passed into everlasting nirvana some 2500 years ago. After a deep enlightenment experience at the age of 35 he spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching that all worldly things. Set the wheel of dharma (teaching) in motion, established a community (sangha) of disciples and charged his followers to carry the dharma to all regions of the world. Buddhism is the dominant religion in many parts of east, south, and southeast asia. Buddhism has three main traditions or vehicles. The earliest is theravada also known as hinayana, which spread to southeast asia. The second is mahayana, which became the principal school in east asia and the third is vajrayana, which developed out of mahayana and became closely associated with the. Buddhists say they take refuge in the triple gem: (1) the buddha, (2) the dharma, and (3) the sangha.
