The life of the Buddha Why do people follow religious figures such as Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha ? To describe the story of the Buddha To understand what Buddha’s mission was To interpret some common poses of the Buddha

1.Number the story in order. 2.Retell the story, using the text and these pictures to help you. 3.What was the problem that Buddha set himself to solve? *** Siddhartah’s father did not want him to give up his comfortable life as a prince. How important do you think money and wealth are in making people happy? Have you ever seen anything pleasant/ unpleasant that has influence you?

True or False ! Correct the false ones… Siddhartha Gautama is the only Buddha. He was born into a poor family. He was shocked by suffering. He tried to find a solution to the problem of suffering by training as a doctor. He found enlightenment under a palm tree. His teaching was guaranteed to make people enlightened.

1.What was the point of Siddhartha starving and abusing his body ? Why did he give up this practice ? 2.Why is the Middle Way better ? (think of the analogy of tuning an instrument too tight/ too slack) 3.What did his “Middle Way” involve 1.Doing ? 2.Fighting against ? 4.What insight did he find during his “enlightenment” ? Siddhartha’s Inner Journey From 27mins to 37:11 All unahappiness comes from within our own minds. Becoming aware of what was in his mind. Refusing to be drawn by angry, lustful or other passionate thoughts. It neither ignores the body, nor follows the body’s desires and cravings. It brings balance and freedom. It did not lead him to happiness or bliss. It simply brought him to the point of death.

DESIRE What would it be like if you eliminated desire from your life ? Would you achieve “bliss” as Siddhartha discovered ?

1. A gesture of protection to impart fearlessness. The right hand is held with the palm facing outwards and the fingers extended upwards. 5. A gesture of meditation and concentration. The hands lie on the lap, the right hand over the left hand with all fingers extended and the palms turned upwards. 3. A gesture of control over evil – calling on the Earth as witness of the Buddha having resisted the temptation of evil. 4. A gesture of charity, where the left hand is extended in a gesture of gift-giving. 2. A gesture of teaching, where the index finger and thumb of the right hand form a circle, representing the wheel of rebirth. Dharmachakra Guess from the descriptions which posture is which gesture. Label them on your pictures.

Test your partner !