Buddhism

Buddhism

World’s first universal religion

Founded 2500 years ago

Siddhartha Gautama, founder

Tripitaka – sacred texts

347-635 million followers

Spread by Emperor Ashoka

Basic Beliefs

Founded as a reaction to Hinduism

suffering is part of the human condition

Four noble truths

Eight fold path

BranchesMahayana - focuses on the Buddha as a divine savior

Tantrayana – “vehicle of the text” emphasis on magic and meditation (sub-set of Mahayana)

Theravada - focuses on the teachings of the Buddha; practice meditation

Zen – contemplative and meditative

Lamaism – combines monasticism with worship of local demons and deities

Dalai Lama of Tibet

Buddha

under

Bodhi

Tree,

Sri

Lanka

7

Anuradhapura, Sri Lankan Stupa

8

TIBETAN CHORTEN/STUPA

Buddhist Monasteries

Buddhist Temple - Daegu

Buddhist Temple – Thailand (made of recycled bottles)

Buddhist Pagodas

San Francisco, CA and Anhui Province, China