Buddhism

BACKGROUND HISTORY

A. It developed in the 500s BC In Northern India near the Himalayas. (Today Nepal)

B. Siddhartha Gautama

Born a Hindu prince in Northern India,today Nepal. He left home at the ageof 29 to search for the “Meaning of

Life”and “Religious Truth”.

C. What Happened To Him?

While on his search, he meditated under

a tree for 49 days. During which he reached

“Enlightenment” & would become known as

Buddha or “Enlightened One”

Key ConceptsA. Believes in Reincarnation & Karma

B. Doesn’t follow the Caste System

C. Doesn’t worship a God or Gods, Buddha is viewed as a “Teacher”

D. Nirvana The concept of the soul reaching a perfect state of being and becomingEnlightened. It is the release of allSelfishness and Pain. It ends the cycleof Reincarnation.

This is just like the Hindu idea of “moksha”.

E. BUDDHIST VIEW OF NIRVANA

IT MAY TAKE MANY LIFETIMES TO

REACH NIRVANA, BUT IT CAN BE

DONE IN JUST A SINGLE LIFETIME!

BUDDHA’S TEACHINGSA. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS-

1- LIFE IS SUFFERING

2- SUFFERING IS CAUSED BY DESIRE

3- END SUFFERING BY ENDING DESIRES

4- THE WAY TO ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMENT IS TO FOLLOW THE “EIGHTFOLD PATH”

B. The Eightfold Path

Was Buddha’s guide to behavior inorder to reach Nirvana. For most itwould take many lifetimes to follow, but could be done in a single lifetime.Includes codes for Wisdom, EthicalConduct and Mental Development.

C. Important ToolBuddhists use MEDITATION to

follow Buddha’s teachings.

Buddhism’s Influence

A.In India it fades out but it did

spread to other areas in Asia like

China & Tibet, Japan, Sri Lanka,

Vietnam, and others.

B. Cultural Diffusion

“The spreading of ideas from one

place to another.”

Example: Buddhist Missionaries take

Buddhism from India to Japan

C. World RankingThere are around 400 million Buddhists

in the world today.

Buddhism ranks #4 in the world today.

BUDDHA’S LOOK