Buddhism

Buddhism

• Developed in India– Spread to other

parts of Asia

• Approx. 2,500 years old

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Siddhartha Gautama

• Founder of Buddhism

• Born a Hindu prince in N.E. India– Nepal today– Approx. 500 BC

• Lived a sheltered life in great luxury

• At the age of 29 he became of aware of the hardships in life

Siddhartha Gautama• Leaves his kingdom to seek

enlightenment and source of suffering in the world

• Lives an ascetic life for 6 years– Rejected all material things;

begged for food; lived in the forest

– Studies with gurus and monks

– Rejects this approach and goes on his own

• Sits under the Bodhi tree and meditates – Becomes enlightened – The Buddha

• “The Enlightened One”

The Four Noble Truths

• All Life is Suffering– Buddha discovered this when he left his

sheltered world and saw death and suffering in others

The Four Noble Truths

• Suffering is caused by self centered desire and attachment for things that are illusions

The Four Noble Truths

• The way to eliminate suffering is to eliminate desire

The Four Noble Truths

• Desire can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path– “The Middle Way” –Moderation in all things

The Eightfold Path

• Series of steps that lead to enlightenment and Nirvana

• Nirvana– Union with the

universe– Release from the

cycle of reincarnation

The Eightfold Path• Right Understanding

– Accepting the reality of the four noble truths

• Right intention– Rid yourself of qualities

you know are wrong or immoral

• Right speech– Avoiding lies, boasts,

hurtful words• Right Action

– Treating others fairly

• Right livelihood– Avoiding jobs that bring

harm to others• Right effort

– Try to abandon wrong and harmful thoughts, words, and actions

• Right mindfulness– Awareness of the world

around you• Right Concentration

– Ignoring temptation and discomfort during meditation

• Mandala

Types of Buddhism

• Theravada – The best way to achieve nirvana is to become a monk

and devote your life to mediation– “The small vehicle”– Southern Asia

• Mahayana – Not necessary to be a monk or nun– Northern Asia and Japan– “The Great Vehicle”– Bodhisattvas

• People who have found enlightenment• Tibetan Buddhism

– Mix of Theravada and Mahayana – Led by the Dali Lama

Buddhism and Hinduism

Similarities• Karma • Dharma• Reincarnation

Differences• Buddhists don’t accept Hindu

Gods, priests, and rituals• Buddhism rejects the caste system

– " Birth does not make one a priest or an outcaste.

Behavior makes one either a priest or an outcaste".

• Goal of Buddhism is nirvana • Goal of Hinduism is moksha

• What is the series of steps that Buddhists believe lead to enlightenment?

• Why is the referred to as the “middle way”?