Buddhism
☸Siddhartha
Gautama, the
founder of
Buddhism, was
born a prince in
563 BCE into a
wealthy high caste
family.
☸He lived a
sheltered life,
never leaving the
palace compound.
☸At the age 25 he became curious
about world outside of the palace
and he went on a journey.
☸He saw 4 men
–Old man
–Sick man
–Dead man
–Poor man
Siddhartha had not seen human suffering before
and became deeply concerned.
He rejected his luxurious lifestyle and sought an answer to
the cause of human suffering. He became an ascetic and
practiced extreme spiritual discipline.
Although Siddhartha gave up food and other basic
necessities, (he nearly starved to death) he did not become
enlightened.
He then meditated. After 40 days, he “awakened” or
reached enlightenment and became the Buddha which
means, “the Awakened one.” Enlightenment or Nirvana is
an end to suffering, a release from the cycle of reincarnation
and a spiritual awakening.
The Buddha then began to teach others
that the causes of human suffering are
their desires for material things. The
Buddha taught that there are four noble
truths and an eightfold path which will
lead to enlightenment or Nirvana.
The Four Noble Truths
1.Everyone has suffering or
sorrow
2.Suffering is caused by desires
for material things.
3.Overcoming desires ends
suffering
4.One can overcome desires by
following the eightfold path.
The Eightfold Path (Middle Way)
1. Right view: Understand the four noble truths.
2. Right intention: Know what you really want
3. Right speech: Always speak truthfully and speak well of
others.
4. Right action: Do not steal, lie, kill, be unchaste, or take
drugs or alcohol.
5. Right livelihood: Do not perform a job that harms
others.
6. Right effort: Always give your best effort.
7. Right mindfulness: Maintain self-control.
8. Right concentration: Meditation brings an understanding
of the world.
Buddhists believe
in reincarnation
but they reject the
caste system.
They believe that
the endless cycle
of reincarnation
ends with Nirvana.
Nirvana is
attainable within
one lifetime.
Buddhism later split into two branches as it spread eastward.
Mahayana Buddhism is the primary religion of China today.
Theravada Buddhism is a stricter form that closely follows the
teachings of the Buddha. Most followers of Theravada
Buddhism are monks.
The Bodhi Tree
Siddhartha Gautama reached enlightenment under this tree. This is the
holiest site for Buddhists.
Buddhists do not believe in gods. The Buddha is not considered
a god. But, all relics of the Buddha are important connections
to him. Any relic, fabric or item that belonged to the Buddha
are kept in Stupas, or Buddhist shrines.
Sanchi
Stupa in
India
Who is the Dalai Lama?
☸Spiritual leader of Tibet
☸Buddhist monk and
scholar
☸Postponed his own
enlightenment to serve
humanity
☸Strong human rights and
peace advocate
Dalai Lama means
“Ocean of
Wisdom”
Facebook picture – he has over 4 million “likes”