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{{Update|''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''}}
'''Budhhism''' is an [[Asia]]n religion that is based on the teachings of [[Shakayamuni|Siddhārtha Gautama]], known simply as the Buddha. It originated in [[India]] as a local {{wiki|Sramana}} tradition between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE which was adopted by the {{wiki|Maurya dynasty}} as the prominent faith during the reign of {{wiki|Ashoka the Great}}. Over time, Buddhism would eventually spread across much of Asia eventually becoming a popular religion through trade with the Indian subcontinent. Though it died out in India thanks to the presence of {{wiki|Hinduism}} and [[Islam]], Buddhism lived on as the predominant faith in [[China]], [[Japan]] and other Asian countries. Today, there are over 520 million Buddhists, which roughly comprises of 7% of the world's population.<ref name="WP">{{WP|Buddhism}}</ref>
{{Quote|The three seals of the Dharma teach us that the world is impermanent... Impermanence leads to suffering, and all things possess no inherent self.|A Buddhist monk, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97}}
[[File:Buddha closeup.png|230px|thumb|Siddhārtha Gautama, the Buddha]]
'''Buddhism''' is a religion originating in [[India]] that is based on the teachings of [[Shakyamuni|Siddhārtha Gautama]], a purported [[Isu]] better known to [[human]]ity as the Buddha. Over time, Buddhism spread across much of [[Asia]] via the [[Silk Road]], becoming a prominent faith in numerous countries such as [[China]], [[Japan]],<ref name="Dynasty 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 7)]]</ref> and [[Myanmar]].<ref name="FT 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref>


==Teachings==
==Teachings==
The central tenets of Buddhism, as outlined in the Four Noble Truths, is to overcome suffering caused by desire and the ignorance of reality's true nature, including impermanence and the non-existence. Most Buddhist traditions often emphasize transcending the individual self through the attainment of Nirvana or by following the path of Buddhahood, ending the cycle of rebirth and death. Like many religions, Buddhist teachings often vary in interpretation of the path to liberation from denomination such as the relative importance and canonicity. Widely observed practices include taking refuge in the Buddha, observance of moral precepts, monasticism, meditation and the cultivation of the Paramitas.
A key doctrine of Buddhism is the idea that nothing is permanent, and that suffering (''dukkha'') is born from this impermanence. Buddhists  attempt to counter this by teaching ''{{Wiki|Prajñā (Buddhism)|paññā}}'', a term that can be roughly translated to "wisdom", "insight", "intelligence", or "understanding". Most schools of Buddhism teach three marks of existence, or "seals", which fundamentally characterize all phenomena:<ref name="FT 97"/>
*''{{Wiki|Duḥkha|Dukkha}}'':  unease, suffering
*''{{Wiki|Impermanence (Buddhism)|Anicca}}'': impermanence
*''{{Wiki|Anattā}}'': non-self; living things have no permanent immanent soul or essence<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Buddhism}}</ref>
 
The ultimate goal of most Buddhist paths is {{Wiki|Nirvana (Buddhism)|Nirvana}}, a higher state of existence which is believed to be attainable by extinguishing one's passions. Only by removing oneself from all earthly attachments can one become enlightened and be released from ''dukkha''.<ref name="Wiki"/> In 2023, [[Shimazu Sei]] compared the notion of reaching Nirvana to the effects of a [[Lantern (Piece of Eden)|lantern-shaped]] [[Piece of Eden]], which could heal all psychic damage sustained by an individual and put their mind at ease.<ref name="FT 101">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 101|Episode 101]]</ref>
 
==History==
===16th century===
[[File:AC Blade of Shao Jun - Shao Jun leaving the temple.png|thumb|240px|left|Shao Jun inside a Buddhist temple in Nan'an]]
In 1529, the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]]' [[Mentor]] [[Wang Yangming]] traveled to [[Nan'an]] to meet with a Buddhist monk who possessed extensive knowledge of the Pieces of Eden, hoping he could decipher the secrets of a [[Precursor box]] in Yangming's possession. However, Yangming was ambushed<ref name="Reunion">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Reunion (manga)|Reunion]]</ref> and killed by the [[Templars]] [[Zhang Yong]] and [[Qiu Ju]] before the monk arrived at the meeting place. When Yangming's apprentice [[Shao Jun]] arrived shortly after, she got into a fight with the Templars and their [[Soldier|guards]], which was broken up by a group of monks, who threatened retaliation if violence was brought to a temple of the Buddha.<ref name="Funeral Pyre">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Funeral Pyre]]</ref>
 
After the Templars departed, the monks offered to help Shao Jun organize Yangming's funeral, during which their leader spoke at length with the Assassin about her [[Eagle Vision|gifts]] inherited from the Isu.<ref name="Eagle Vision">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Eagle Vision (manga)|Eagle Vision]]</ref> Following Yangming's funeral, Shao Jun thanked the monks for their hospitality and left Nan'an to resume her [[Assassin-Templar War|fight]] against the Templars.<ref name="The Court">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[The Court]]</ref>
 
===18th century===
In 1725, the members of the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] traveled to [[Yangon]], [[Myanmar|Burma]], after learning of a Piece of Eden housed within the [[Shwedagon Pagoda]]. Prior to their arrival, [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] established contact with the pagoda's Buddhist monks, who agreed to guide the Union members into Yangon. After infiltrating the city in disguise, [[Shimazu Saito]] spoke with one of the monks, who explained that he and his compatriots believed the Piece of Eden could cause much suffering in the wrong hands and that they felt the artifact would be much safer with the Union.<ref name="FT 97"/>
 
Following Saito and [[Edward Kenway]]'s theft of the Piece of Eden, the monks helped them escape from the temple's guards, offering them disguises to allow the pair to [[Blending|blend]] in with them. The monks later explained that they had assisted the pair because they wished to avoid an unnecessary fight with the guards, and Edward thanked the monks for their help, promising to return the Piece of Eden to the Shwedagon Pagoda once he was done using it.<ref name="FT 102">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 102|Episode 102]]</ref>
 
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT - Buddha statue.png|A statue of the Buddha
ACFT - Saito and the monk praying.png|Shimazu Saito and a monk praying to the statue
ACFT - Buddhist monks.png|A group of 18th-century Buddhist monks
</gallery>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' {{1stm}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Echoes of History]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{ACBoSJ}}
{{ACD}}
{{ACD}}
{{ACFT}}
[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]

Latest revision as of 17:49, 3 May 2026

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"The three seals of the Dharma teach us that the world is impermanent... Impermanence leads to suffering, and all things possess no inherent self."
―A Buddhist monk, 1725.[src]-[m]
Siddhārtha Gautama, the Buddha

Buddhism is a religion originating in India that is based on the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama, a purported Isu better known to humanity as the Buddha. Over time, Buddhism spread across much of Asia via the Silk Road, becoming a prominent faith in numerous countries such as China, Japan,[1] and Myanmar.[2]

Teachings[edit | edit source]

A key doctrine of Buddhism is the idea that nothing is permanent, and that suffering (dukkha) is born from this impermanence. Buddhists attempt to counter this by teaching paññā, a term that can be roughly translated to "wisdom", "insight", "intelligence", or "understanding". Most schools of Buddhism teach three marks of existence, or "seals", which fundamentally characterize all phenomena:[2]

  • Dukkha: unease, suffering
  • Anicca: impermanence
  • Anattā: non-self; living things have no permanent immanent soul or essence[3]

The ultimate goal of most Buddhist paths is Nirvana, a higher state of existence which is believed to be attainable by extinguishing one's passions. Only by removing oneself from all earthly attachments can one become enlightened and be released from dukkha.[3] In 2023, Shimazu Sei compared the notion of reaching Nirvana to the effects of a lantern-shaped Piece of Eden, which could heal all psychic damage sustained by an individual and put their mind at ease.[4]

History[edit | edit source]

16th century[edit | edit source]

Shao Jun inside a Buddhist temple in Nan'an

In 1529, the Chinese Assassins' Mentor Wang Yangming traveled to Nan'an to meet with a Buddhist monk who possessed extensive knowledge of the Pieces of Eden, hoping he could decipher the secrets of a Precursor box in Yangming's possession. However, Yangming was ambushed[5] and killed by the Templars Zhang Yong and Qiu Ju before the monk arrived at the meeting place. When Yangming's apprentice Shao Jun arrived shortly after, she got into a fight with the Templars and their guards, which was broken up by a group of monks, who threatened retaliation if violence was brought to a temple of the Buddha.[6]

After the Templars departed, the monks offered to help Shao Jun organize Yangming's funeral, during which their leader spoke at length with the Assassin about her gifts inherited from the Isu.[7] Following Yangming's funeral, Shao Jun thanked the monks for their hospitality and left Nan'an to resume her fight against the Templars.[8]

18th century[edit | edit source]

In 1725, the members of the Zhang Wei Union traveled to Yangon, Burma, after learning of a Piece of Eden housed within the Shwedagon Pagoda. Prior to their arrival, Zhang established contact with the pagoda's Buddhist monks, who agreed to guide the Union members into Yangon. After infiltrating the city in disguise, Shimazu Saito spoke with one of the monks, who explained that he and his compatriots believed the Piece of Eden could cause much suffering in the wrong hands and that they felt the artifact would be much safer with the Union.[2]

Following Saito and Edward Kenway's theft of the Piece of Eden, the monks helped them escape from the temple's guards, offering them disguises to allow the pair to blend in with them. The monks later explained that they had assisted the pair because they wished to avoid an unnecessary fight with the guards, and Edward thanked the monks for their help, promising to return the Piece of Eden to the Shwedagon Pagoda once he was done using it.[9]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]