Buddhism is a set of beliefs and practices that follows the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a young prince who lived in northern India or Nepal around 2,500 years ago. Stories passed down through generations tell of how Siddhartha gave up his comfortable life at the royal palace and wandered the land, living among the common people and witnessing much human suffering. This experience led him on a quest to find release from the cycle of suffering. He studied with wise teachers but still did not find the answer. Finally, he decided to meditate (sit in quiet thought) until the answer came to him. After 49 days he finally achieved enlightenment, or attainment of wisdom. Then he attained Buddhahood (“Buddha” means “enlightened one” in Sanskrit, one of the languages of India and Asia) and spent the rest of his life teaching what he had discovered. Since that time, Buddhism has spread worldwide.
The twenty-two pictures in this coloring book depict many figures important in Buddhism, from compassionate deities (gods) to humble abbots (heads of monasteries) to wise arhats (disciples of the Buddha entrusted with propagating and protecting Buddhist beliefs). The original artworks are shown on the inside covers. When you color the pictures, you can follow the colors used in the original works or choose your own. The last page of the book is blank, for you to draw your own spiritual guide. Would it be a person from your school or place of worship? Or perhaps an imaginary being who watches out for you?
