Caste System – Who belonged in
each varna?
Ch. 6 Ancient India
Lesson 2 Rise of Buddhism
pp. 152 - 154
Buddhism
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Buddhism is a religion that began in India.
Most Buddhists live in Asia today.
It spread through cultural diffusion.
Buddhism became popular with people in
the caste system.
The Buddha
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Siddhartha Gautama was born a
prince, c. 563 B.C.
He grew up wealthy but questioned
why others suffered.
He left the palace and gave up
everything he had (including his wife
and child) to become a monk.
Dressed in yellow robe, traveled,
stopped to meditate (think deeply).
According to legend, he meditated
under a tree for 7 weeks.
He came up with The Four Noble
Truths and The Eightfold Path.
As he preached his message to people,
he gathered followers.
“The Enlightened One”
His teachings became known as
Buddhism.
What did the Buddha teach?
Four Noble Truths
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1.
Life is full of suffering
2. People suffer because they desire
things.
3. The way to end suffering is to stop
desiring (wanting).
4. The only way to stop desiring is to
follow The Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
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1. Know and understand The Four Noble Truths.
2. Give up worldly things and do not harm others.
3. Tell the truth, do not gossip, or speak badly of
others.
4. Do not commit evil acts.
5. Do rewarding work.
6.Work for good and oppose evil.
7. Make sure your mind keeps your senses under
control.
8. Practice meditation.
Nirvana
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Perfect peace and happiness
Spiritual state
The Buddha did not believe in restricting
people to the caste system.
If you work hard, nirvana can be yours.
Spread of Buddhism
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Spread because
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it welcomed people from all walks of life
Placed little importance on the varna caste
system
Believed success of life depended on people’s
behavior now
Like Hindus, the Buddha believed in
reincarnation, but people could end the
cycle of rebirth by following the Eightfold
Path rather than their dharma.
Spread of Buddhism
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After the Buddha’s death, two groups emerged
(began), because they disagreed over the meaning of
Buddha’s ideas.
Theravada – see Buddha as a teacher, not a god
Mahayana – teach Buddha is a god, worship him,
follow Eightfold Path in a heaven and reach nirvana
there
Research Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explain the beliefs of Hinduism and
Buddhism.
Buddhism appealed to a wider range of
people than Hinduism because...
Explain the Four Noble Truths.
Give 3 facts about the man that started
Buddhism.
Who is the Dalai Lama? (P. 154)