Buddhism
Cultural context
The religion of Buddhism had its beginnings in
northern India. The cultural context is the way of life of
people living in the place where a religion began.
For some people the religion of Hinduism did not
offer satisfactory answers so they were forced to
look elsewhere. Many concerned individuals set out
on their own spiritual quest. They left everything,
including their homes and their families, to go in
search of the truth. One such person was a young
nobleman named Siddhartha Gautama. He eventually
founded a new belief system known as Buddhism.
The Buddhist way of life grew out of the religion
of Hinduism in India. Buddhists spend little time
thinking about God. They focus instead on following a
programme of self-discipline based on the teachings of
the Buddha.
Questions
Map showing the
location of India.
India went through a period of great social change
2,500 years ago. There was a massive movement of
population throughout the country. This had a major
effect on people’s outlook on life. They began to
question many things that they had always accepted,
including their religion. Individuals were looking for
solid answers to the great human problems such as:
1. Where did the religion of Buddhism begin?
2. What was the religion of people in India
before Buddhism?
3. What human problems pre-occupied peoples
thinking in India in the 5th century?
4. Describe the cultural situation in India at the
time Buddhism began.
 Why is there suffering in the world?
 What happens after death?
 Is it possible to find peace and happiness
in life?
Section C: Foundations of Religion - Buddhism
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