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Buddhism
• Developed in India– Spread to other
parts of Asia
• Approx. 2,500 years old
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Siddhartha Gautama
• Founder of Buddhism
• Born a Hindu prince in N.E. India– Nepal today– Approx. 500 BC
• Lived a sheltered life in great luxury
• At the age of 29 he became of aware of the hardships in life
Siddhartha Gautama• Leaves his kingdom to seek
enlightenment and source of suffering in the world
• Lives an ascetic life for 6 years– Rejected all material things;
begged for food; lived in the forest
– Studies with gurus and monks
– Rejects this approach and goes on his own
• Sits under the Bodhi tree and meditates – Becomes enlightened – The Buddha
• “The Enlightened One”
The Four Noble Truths
• All Life is Suffering– Buddha discovered this when he left his
sheltered world and saw death and suffering in others
The Four Noble Truths
• Suffering is caused by self centered desire and attachment for things that are illusions
The Four Noble Truths
• Desire can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path– “The Middle Way” –Moderation in all things
The Eightfold Path
• Series of steps that lead to enlightenment and Nirvana
• Nirvana– Union with the
universe– Release from the
cycle of reincarnation
The Eightfold Path• Right Understanding
– Accepting the reality of the four noble truths
• Right intention– Rid yourself of qualities
you know are wrong or immoral
• Right speech– Avoiding lies, boasts,
hurtful words• Right Action
– Treating others fairly
• Right livelihood– Avoiding jobs that bring
harm to others• Right effort
– Try to abandon wrong and harmful thoughts, words, and actions
• Right mindfulness– Awareness of the world
around you• Right Concentration
– Ignoring temptation and discomfort during meditation
Types of Buddhism
• Theravada – The best way to achieve nirvana is to become a monk
and devote your life to mediation– “The small vehicle”– Southern Asia
• Mahayana – Not necessary to be a monk or nun– Northern Asia and Japan– “The Great Vehicle”– Bodhisattvas
• People who have found enlightenment• Tibetan Buddhism
– Mix of Theravada and Mahayana – Led by the Dali Lama
Buddhism and Hinduism
Similarities• Karma • Dharma• Reincarnation
Differences• Buddhists don’t accept Hindu
Gods, priests, and rituals• Buddhism rejects the caste system
– " Birth does not make one a priest or an outcaste.
Behavior makes one either a priest or an outcaste".
• Goal of Buddhism is nirvana • Goal of Hinduism is moksha
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