Buddhism

The Buddha’s Life and Teachings Buddhism began in India, based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha was a 5th-century B.C. Hindu prince, born in wealth, and luxury - gave up wealth when he saw suffering; began a search for peace

He decided to learn from a guru (holy man) to search for peace… Prince Siddharta journeyed outside of his palace… Illness… He noticed old age… And death…

Remember the sadhus from Hinduism? Siddhartha starved himself for six years Siddhartha believed that denying himself of physical comforts and needs would help him to achieve enlightenment… Remember the sadhus from Hinduism?

Siddhartha realized that punishing his body did not help him find peace With the help of a village girl he nourished his body back to health He then meditated under a fig tree (Bodhi Tree) until he would find enlightenment

Siddhartha meditated and resisted temptation in order to help him achieve enlightenment or nirvana

everything in life is suffering and sorrow Siddhartha found understanding, and insight into a reality called Four Noble Truths: everything in life is suffering and sorrow the cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desire for the temporary pleasures of the world wanting things or a different life the way to end all suffering is to end all desires the way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way between desires and self-denial

The Middle Way “Fair goes the dancing when the Sitar is tuned. Tune us the Sitar neither high nor low, And we will dance away the hearts of men. But the string too tight breaks, and the music dies. The string too slack has no sound, and the music dies. There is a middle way. Tune us the Sitar neither low nor high. And we will dance away the hearts of men.” Lesson: “Avoid both extremes in life”

Buddhists call this cycle “samsara” just like Hindus Eightfold Path means having: - Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Actions… - Right Work, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration Eightfold Path can lead to nirvana—the end of suffering - nirvana breaks cycle of reincarnation, which Buddhists believe in Buddhists call this cycle “samsara” just like Hindus

This is a Buddhist illustration of samsara, the cycle of reincarnation…

As a teacher, Siddhartha was called the Buddha, or “enlightened one” - believed in ahimsa, but not the Hindu gods, goddesses, or caste system - ahimsa—“nonviolence”

Sayings Of The Buddha “You are the source Of all purity and impurity. No one purifies another.” “Master your words. Master your thoughts. Never allow your body to do harm. Follow these three roads with purity And you will find yourself upon the one way, The way of wisdom.” “Free yourself from attachment. Know the sweet joy of the way. How joyful to look upon the awakened And to keep company with the wise. How long the road to the man Who travels the road with the fool.” “If you are happy At the expense of another man's happiness, You are forever bound.” “If desires are not uprooted, Sorrows grow again in you.” Sayings Of The Buddha

Buddhism Changes After Buddha’s death, followers collected his teachings, called the dharma - dharma means the true nature of things, often symbolized by a wheel Monks and nuns in religious communities made Buddhism a formal religion

Some Buddhists became wandering holy men, tried to live like Buddha Buddhism later split into branches—most worshiped Buddha as a god - different branches stressed different approaches to enlightenment

Mahayana sect – accepts new doctrines - Worship Buddha as a god - Many people could become buddhas - Bodhisattvas (potential buddhas) could give up nirvana to save humanity through good works and self-sacrifice

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and many different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Theravada sect – held to Buddha’s stricter, original teachings - Individual quest for enlightenment - monastic communities (monks and nuns)

Many of the areas of Mahayana Buddhism mixed their own folk religions and traditions into Buddhism, therefore changing it over time. This map shows how Buddhism spread. Which regions of the world accepted Buddhism? Why do you think India was not a successful place for Buddhism to grow?

Examples of Mahayana Buddhism The Mahayana form of Buddhism allows the laity (common people) to worship Buddha in their own way, like attending temples. However they help those who have chosen to live as Buddhist monks or nuns.

Examples of Theravada Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is a monastic subgroup of the Mahayana sect Tenzin Gyatso The 14th Dalai Lama The Potala Palace was the traditional home of the Dalai Lama until China invaded Tibet

BUDDHIST SYMBOLISM: Lotus flower. Representing purity and enlightenment. Endless knot, or, the Mandala. Representing harmony. Golden Fish pair. Representing conjugal happiness and freedom. Victory Banner. Representing a victorious battle. Wheel of Dharma or Chamaru in Nepali Buddhism. Representing knowledge. Treasure Vase. Representing inexhaustible treasure and wealth. Parasol. Representing the crown, and protection from the elements. Conch shell. Representing the thoughts of the Buddha. The Lotus flower which grows from the bottom of a pond and rises to bloom above the surface of the water represents enlightenment…

The Sand Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. A sand mandala is ritualistically destroyed once it has been completed to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life.

Different poses and gestures of the Buddha

Photos of giant Buddhas in different countries…

This is an example of Buddhism being shaped by different cultures Budai "The Laughing Buddha" This is an example of Buddhism being shaped by different cultures When Westerners think about The Buddha, this is the image that usually comes to mind… Not THE Buddha (aka Siddhartha)