+Prince Siddhartha’s Early Life
Before the prince was born, the Queen had a dream. The queen asked the Hindu priests to explain her dream. They told her that she is carrying a child who will be a great man. They said that his life holds two paths. As a prince, he could rule the universe. But if he left the royal life to see the suffering of the world, he would become a Buddha; one who is enlightened.
+CLAIM
We think that becoming a Buddha is a journey that could take a lifetime. To become a Buddha, you must be very wise, calm, and truthful. We also believe that Gandhi may have used the Eightfold Path to influence his actions. A third idea we have is that Prince Siddhartha was reborn about three times on his journey to enlightenment. Our presentation will explain why we believe this.
+Gandhi
We believe that Gandhi, who was a very influential person in bringing peace, used the Buddha’s Eightfold Path to influence his actions. The Eightfold Path teaches Buddha’s to live a lifestyle to help people, create peace, and live simply. Gandhi was a very simple person who was devoted to helping people and children everywhere.
+Prince Siddhartha
We believe that the Prince was reborn three times on his journey.
When he entered the path to being an ascetic
Once he decided to take his own path to enlightenment
When he became enlightened and transformed into a Buddha.
+ AgingPrince Siddhartha went on a couple trips to go outside of the palace. On his first trip, he saw a thin man who walked with the aid of a stick. “Why does that man look so terrible?” the prince asked. His driver replied that the man was old. He told the prince that everyone’s body weakens as it ages.
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SicknessSickness - On his second trip, the prince and his driver saw a man cryingout on the ground. “What is wrong with that poor man?” the prince asked.The driver explained that the man was sick.
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DeathDeath – On his third trip, he saw a group of people walking down the road. The groupcarried a figure wrapped in white cloth. “Death came for that man” his drivertold him, “One day it will come to you too”
+Becoming a Buddha
On the Prince’s 35th birthday he woke up an had a very good feeling he would be enlightened. Siddhartha walked until he reached the Bodhi tree (or the enlightenment tree) He vowed to meditate under the tree until he reached enlightenment. While he meditated, he was visited by Mara, who tried to provoke him by threatening to kill his children, but he remained strong by praying and meditating through it, thus earning the title of becoming a Buddha.
Meditation Enlightenment
+Real World Experts
We contacted Robert Thurman and Mark L Blum. Mr. Thurman is considered to be the greatest American educator in Buddhism. Mr. Blum is a professor at University of Albany and specializes in religions such as Judaism and Buddhism. Neither have replied yet.
+Real World Connections
Buddhism Then
Living a simple lifestyle
Vowing to help others
Following important laws/rules
Praying
Praising God
Buddhism Now
Living a very minimalistic Lifestyle
Helping others whenever possible
Using the Eightfold Path & the Four Noble Truths
Praying for themselves and others each and every day
+Credits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism
http://bobthurman.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Thurman
http://www.albany.edu/news/experts/7623.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path