A presentation by: Mr. Tsolomitis
What is Buddhism/ the Buddha?
Buddhism is a religion of ancient India, created by Siddhartha Gautama The Buddha is the title given to Siddhartha Gautama and it means “Awakened One.” Simply put…
Around 563 B.C.E. in northern India, near the Himalaya Mountains, to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. According to legend, before Siddhartha was born, his mother had a strange dream. When she asked the Brahmins to explain the dream, they interpreted it as showing a split path He could be a great king and rule the universe OR, if he left royal life and saw the suffering of the world, he would become the Buddha. Prince Siddhartha’s Birth
Wild, fantastical tales about when he was born, like… After his birth, a soft, warm rain of heavenly flowers fell on the baby and his mother The infant prince already looked a few years old, could walk and speak. Apparently his first words were, “I am the leader of the world and the guide to the world.”
Turn to your neighbors and quietly discuss. What do you think his parents did?
His father, the King, wanted his son to be a great and powerful ruler. In order to keep his son from seeing the world’s suffering, he raised Siddhartha in a world of perfect health and beauty. Always felt curious about the outside world, but was content with his easy life for quite a while. When he was 16, he married a beautiful noblewoman and they lived happily… well, not ever after. 12 years in perfect peace When Siddhartha turned 29, they had a son. The Prince’s Royal Life
After Siddhartha became a father, the King gave him more freedom and so Siddhartha began traveling outside the palace walls. It was at this time that Siddhartha discovered three forms of suffering… and it deeply troubled him. The Prince Discovers Something…
What suffering do you think Siddhartha witnessed?
The First Type of Suffering The prince and his driver saw a thin man who walked with the aid of a stick. Siddhartha, never having seen the effects of aging, asked why the man looked so terrible. His driver replied that everyone’s body weakens as it ages.
The Second Type of Suffering On the second trip, the prince and his driver saw a man crying out in pain. The driver informed Siddhartha about pain and sickness. REAL pain, not like this. Not a cry for attention. ACTUAL PHYSICAL PAIN.
The Third Type of Suffering On the third trip, they saw a group of people walking down the road, carrying a body wrapped in white cloth. The driver informed Siddhartha that, “Death came for that man. One day it will come for you, too.”
Unable to sit in his palace with the thoughts of aging, sickness and death, Siddhartha went out a fourth time. This time, however, he met a man who glowed with inner peace and calm. The man was an ascetic. An ascetic is a person who gives up worldly possessions and pleasures like fine clothes, money, and even shelter. Siddhartha asked him how he could be at peace while surrounded by so much suffering. The ascetic replied, “To be free of suffering, one must give up the desires, pleasures and comforts of the world. I find peace by helping others find peace.” The Prince Meets an Ascetic
Royal life seemed empty now and he wanted to find the happiness and peace the ascetic had found. Decided to give up his old life and find enlightenment (finding deep truth and being free of suffering). One night, he fled the palace with his faithful driver. He removed his fancy clothes and cut his hair off. He kept only a simple robe and a small bowl for alms (goods given to the poor). The Prince Becomes an Ascetic
(continued) Met many other ascetics who wanted to understand the nature of the world. Frequent meditation was said to be the path towards enlightenment. Another path was through self- denial and denying their body many of its basic needs, like food, sleep, shelter. Siddhartha continued until he was dangerously thin and was unhappy with these practices.
Siddhartha learned that giving up bodily pleasures did not bring enlightenment, but neither would self-indulgence. Instead, he sought a “middle way” as the path to enlightenment. On his 35 th birthday, Siddhartha bathed and rested by a river. When he awoke, he had a strong feeling that he was close to enlightenment. He met a “grass cutter” who gave him eight handfuls of soft grass to use as a pad to sit upon. Walked until he reached a tree that would be known later as the Bodhi Tree (Tree of Enlightenment). He sat on those handfuls of grass and began meditating and vowed he would not stop until he reached enlightenment. The Prince Becomes the Buddha
A wicked deity, Mara, tried to frighten him, but Siddhartha was not swayed. Mara then tried to tempt Siddhartha with his three daughters; Discontent, Delight and Desire. Again, Siddhartha resisted. Trying to reach nirvana, an ideal state of happiness and peace. Saw his past lives and the great cycle of rebirth, as well as the importance of karma. Eventually he saw how to gain freedom from the endless cycle and so end all suffering. By morning, he had become the Buddha and set out to spread the word on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. While meditating…
Behind the Four Noble Truths is the idea that everything changes: even when one finds pleasure, it does not last forever, and one suffers when it is lost. To end suffering, people should follow the Buddha’s “Middle Way,” also known as the Eightfold Path. The Buddha spent the rest his life teaching others about the path he had found. In time, his followers would spread his teachings throughout India, China, and other parts of Asia. They would even eventually reach Japan! The Buddha’s Teachings
Suffering is present in all things, and nothing lasts forever. Suffering is caused by cravings (our desires and wants, but not our needs). The way to end suffering is to give up all cravings. The way to give up all cravings is to live life according to the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths
Right… Understanding Purpose Speech Action Way to earn a living Effort Mindfulness Concentration The Eightfold Path
Develop a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths. Right Understanding
Live a life of selflessness, love and nonviolence Right Purpose
Be careful and truthful in what you say. Do not lie or gossip. Right Speech
Do not kill, steal or lie. Right Action
Do not work at a job that causes harm to people or living creatures. Right way to earn a living
Promote good actions and prevent evil actions. Right Effort
Be aware of, but not attached to, your emotions, thoughts and feelings. Right Mindfulness
Focus your mind with practices such as meditation. Right concentration