Buddhism
In this lesson, students will be able to
identify significant beliefs of the Buddhist
religion.
Students will be able to identify and/or
define the following terms:
The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Eightfold Path
Nirvana
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Around 563 B.C.,
a prince named
Siddhartha
Gautama
was born in
India.
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Siddhartha Gautama
• Siddhartha was an Indian prince.
• He lived in a luxurious household.
However, he longed to see the world
beyond the palace.
• Upon leaving the palace, he saw a sick
man, an old man, and a corpse.
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Upon leaving the
palace, Siddhartha
discovered the
existence of
suffering. He
discovered that
we are born only
to age and die.
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Siddhartha’s Decision
• Upon learning of the existence of
suffering, Siddhartha decided to leave the
palace and find the cause and cessation of
suffering.
• Siddhartha lived among the Hindu ascetics
and endured many hardships.
• However, he did not discover the cause or
cessation of suffering among the Hindus.
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After leaving
the Hindu
ascetics,
Siddhartha
sat under the
Bodhi tree and
meditated until
he became
enlightened.
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When Siddhartha
achieved
enlightenment,
he became
the Buddha or
the Enlightened
One.
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The Four Noble Truths
• Siddhartha’s answer to the cause and
cessation of suffering can be found in his
Four Noble Truths.
The Four Noble Truths
Life is suffering.
Desire and attachment cause suffering.
Suffering can end.
Follow the Noble Eightfold Path
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Life is suffering but suffering can end.
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The Noble Eightfold Path
• The Buddha encouraged his followers to follow
the middle path or to avoid extremes such as
eating too much or eating too little.
• The Noble Eightfold Path are eight actions
designed to help followers achieve
enlightenment. They are right view, right
intention, right speech, right action, right
livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right
concentration.
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Nirvana
• Nirvana is the end of suffering.
• By achieving nirvana, a person escapes
samsara or the cycle of reincarnation.
• Siddhartha achieved nirvana when he
became enlightened.
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Nirvana is the end of suffering.
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Questions for Reflection:
• Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
• Why did Siddhartha leave his palace?
• Explain the Four Noble Truths and the
Noble Eightfold Path.
• What is samsara?
• Define nirvana.
• How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism?
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