Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy centered on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in India over 2,500 years ago. It emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to achieve liberation from suffering and reach Nirvana. Buddhism is a major world religion with around 535 million followers. 

The Diverse Doors Faith Trail led by Cllr Tom Aditya at the Buddhist Shrine

Key Aspects of Buddhism:

  • The Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama, after experiencing enlightenment, became known as the Buddha, meaning “awakened one”. 
  • The Four Noble Truths: These core teachings address the nature of suffering, its cause, the possibility of cessation, and the path to achieve it. 
  • The Noble Eightfold Path: This practical path to enlightenment involves right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. 
  • Nirvana: The ultimate goal in Buddhism, a state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth, often described as a state of being “extinguished”. 
  • Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha, considered the truth or law of nature. 
  • Karma: The principle of cause and effect, where actions have consequences that shape future experiences. 
  • Reincarnation: Buddhism believes in a cycle of rebirth, with the possibility of achieving liberation from this cycle through enlightenment. 
  • No Creator God: Buddhism is generally considered a non-theistic religion, meaning it does not believe in a creator god or deity. 
  • Different Schools: Buddhism has several different schools of thought, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each with its own unique practices and emphasis. 

Cllr Tom Aditya explains that in essence, Buddhism provides a path to understanding the nature of suffering, overcoming it through mindful practices, and ultimately achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddhists in Bristol:

The Lam Rim Bristol Buddhist Centre (Tibetan Gelug tradition), 12 Victoria Place, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 3BP; https://lamrimbristol.org.uk/

Bristol Buddhist Vihara (Srilankan Theravada tradition), 87 Church Rd, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol BS36 2NE; https://bristolbuddhistvihara.org.uk/

Amitabha Buddhist Meditation Centre (Kadampa tradition), Old Vicarage, Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NX https://www.meditationinbristol.org/aboutus

Bristol Buddhist Centre (Triratna tradition), 162 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NT ; https://bristol-buddhist-centre.org/

Buddhist Centre for Meditation and the Arts (Vajrayana tradition), 215A Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8NN; https://arolingbristol.org/

Sakya Buddhist Centre (Tibetan Sakya tradition), 121 Sommerville Rd, St Andrews, Bristol BS6 5BX; https://www.sakyabristol.org/

Bristol Shambhala Meditation Centre (Shambhala tradition), 204 Cheltenham Road, First Floor, Bristol BS6 5QZ and The Community Room, Friends Meeting House, 126 Hampton Rd, Redland, Bristol BS6 6JE. https://bristol.shambhala.info/about/

Bristol Zen Dojo (Zen tradition) 91-93 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AT https://www.zenbristol.co.uk/