Buddhism “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” Siddhartha Gautama
1. History Spiritual journey of Siddhartha Gautama 6th century B.C.E. Time of change in the Hindu religion rejecting the power and dominance of the Brahmin caste and the caste system generally.
1. Founder Siddhartha Gautama aka – The Buddha “The Enlightened One” Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 B.C. to a noble Hindu family in what is today Nepal.
The Legend… Read Aloud
The Legend…is Established After 49 days of meditation, he had a vision allowing him to understand the cause of suffering – at which point he became known as “the Buddha”, or “enlightened one”
The Buddha’s Teachings
The Four Noble Truths Human suffering is universal everyone suffers…life is full of suffering & sorrow The cause of suffering is desire all forms of desire especially for the temporary desires of the material world. 3. The way to end suffering is to crush desire Follow the Eightfold Path the “middle way” between desire and self-denial.
The Eightfold Path
2. Supporters/Sects Over 300 million
Theravada Buddhism Monastic / reclusive Popular in southeast Asia. Buddha = teacher, not as a god Popular in southeast Asia.
Mahayana Buddhism Worship the Buddha and other enlightened ones as gods Popular in China, Japan & Korea Influenced by and similar to Christianity.
Zen Buddhism More of a philosophy and meditative practice enlightenment in only one lifetime Japan popular in North America and Europe.
3. Major Scriptures
Tripitaka (3 baskets of wisdom) Theravada sect Contains discourses, rules of conduct and analysis of conduct
Sutras Mahayana sects Collection of “general truths” a manual Written in Sanskrit
4. Goals
Nirvana Nirvana: the goal of all Buddhists – an end to pain & desire – release from reincarnation
5. Path of Attainment Three Jewels of Buddhism the Buddha the Dharma (or teachings) the Sangha (the community of monks and/or nuns)
6. Beliefs Reincarnation (Samsara) Law of Karma Ahimsa karma or doing good deeds Prayer & fasting Ahimsa Non-violence
7. Symbols The Wheel of Law Circle of Reincarnation 8 spokes… Eightfold path
8. Holidays Important moments Buddha’s birthday Enlightenment Nirvana Buddha Day May Enlightenment April 8 Nirvana