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The Origin of
Buddhism
The Story of Siddhartha Gautama
The History of Buddhism
History
 Founded in N. India around 500BC
 Founder: Siddhartha Gautama
Development:
 Ideas spread to south/southeast Asia, and to
CHINA.

Splits into two sects – Theravada and
Mahayana

Currently about 350 MILLION followers
– 4TH largest religion in the world
Origins of Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
– Became known as the “Buddha” (one
who is awakened)
– Born in 625BC in India; died in 545BC
 Was
a chief’s son; a kshatriya
– Was a Hindu originally

The story of his life is the story of the
beginning of Buddhism
The History of Buddhism
Where is Buddhism practiced?
Mahamaya’s Dream
Siddhartha’s
Birthplace: Lumbini
Siddhartha in the
Palaces
Siddhartha Discovers
Suffering
Siddhartha Searches for
an Answer
Siddhartha Lives the
Life of an Ascetic
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment
Siddhartha
Teaches
His First
Sermon
The Death of Siddhartha
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Basic Beliefs
Gods: Buddhism has no omnipotent, creator God
 **This is DIFFERENT FROM most major religions
(Islam, Christianity, Judaism)
Sacred Text:
 The Tripitaka, or “THREE BASKETS OF WISDOM Contain the discourses of Buddha, Buddhist theology,
and rules for the higher class of Buddhists.
Meditation: “MINDFULNESS” - the cultivation of a calm
and positive state of mind
Dukkha: – name given to SUFFERING which comprises
all of existence; goal of life is to end suffering and reach
Nirvana
Nirvana: – (“ENLIGHTENMENT”) – state of perfect
peace and happiness as a result of finding release from
suffering,
The Four Noble Truths

The First Noble Truth is the EXISTENCE of
suffering.
– Birth is painful and death is painful; disease and old age
are painful. Not having what we desire is painful and
having what we do not desire is also painful.

The Second Noble Truth is the CAUSE of
suffering.
– It is the craving desire for the pleasures of the senses.

The Third Noble Truth is the END of suffering.
– To be free of suffering one must extinguish this very
craving, so that no desire remains.

The Fourth Noble Truth leads to the ending of all
pain by way of the 8 FOLD PATH
THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH

Right VIEW - You must accept the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold
Path.

Right INTENTIONS - You must renounce the pleasures of the senses; you
must harbor no ill will toward anyone and harm no living creature.

Right SPEECH - Do not lie; do not slander or abuse anyone. Do not indulge
in idle talk.

Right ACTION - Do not destroy any living creature; take only what is given
to you.

Right LIVELIHOOD - Earn your living in a way that will harm no one.

Right EFFORT - You must strive to prevent any evil qualities from arising in
you and to abandon any evil qualities you may possess.

Right MINDFULNESS - Be observant, strenuous, alert, and free of desire.

Right CONCENTRATION - When you have abandoned all sensuous
pleasures, all evil qualities, both joy and sorrow, you must then enter the four
degrees of meditation.
THE FIVE PRECEPTS
OF BUDDHISM

Kill no living thing – positive
counterpart is LOVE

Do not steal – positive
counterpart is GENEROSITY

Avoid sexual misconduct –
positive counterpart is
CONTENTMENT

Avoid false speech – positive
counterpart is TRUTHFULNESS

Do not drink /take drugs –
positive counterpart is
MINDFULNESS
Stupa

A mound-like or semi-hemispherical
structure containing Buddhist relics,
typically the ashes of Buddhist monks,
used by Buddhists as a place of
meditation.
The 'Great Stupa' at
Sanchi is the oldest
stone structure in
India and was
originally
commissioned by
the emperor Ashoka
the Great in the 3rd
century BC.
The main Stupa crowning Borobudur, the largest Buddhist
structure in the world, Java, Indonesia.