I. The quest for answers Buddhism P. 156-161 A. Siddhartha Gautama: prince who grew up in luxury B. Siddhartha looked at how hard people worked and how much they suffered C. Siddhartha began to ask questions about the meaning of life D. Siddhartha traveled all over India to find answers

Buddha’s Great Departure

II. The Buddha finds enlightenment A. To find answers to his questions he: 1. fasted 2. meditated B. He realized that human suffering comes from three things: 1. wanting what we like but do not have 2. wanting to keep what we like and already have 3. not wanting what we dislike but have C. Enlightenment 1. Found it under the Tree of Wisdom while meditating 2. Called the Buddha = Enlightened One 3. Spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching his ideas

Buddha Statue in Bodh Gaya, India

III. Teachings of Buddhism A. Four Noble Truths: four guiding principles of Buddha’s teachings B. Nirvana: a state of perfect peace C. Eightfold Path: this path was the middle way between human desires and denying oneself any pleasures

Four Noble Truths 1.Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one can escape sorrow. 2.Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods. People cause their own misery because they want things they cannot have. 3.People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana (nir-VAH-nuh), a state of perfect peace. Reaching nirvana frees the soul from suffering and from the need for further reincarnation. 4.People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation.

Eightfold Path 1. Right Thought Believe in the nature of existence as suffering and in the Four Noble Truths. 2. Right Intent Incline toward goodness and kindness. 3. Right Speech Avoid lies and gossip. 4. Right Action Don’t steal from or harm others.  5. Right Livelihood Reject work that hurts others. 6. Right Effort Prevent evil and do good. 7. Right Mindfulness Control your feelings and thoughts. 8. Right Concentration Practice proper meditation.

IV. Challenging Hindu ideas A. The Buddha rejected the Veda texts B. Believed in reincarnation and the Eightfold Path as a way to reach nirvana C. Opposed the caste system V. Buddhism spreads A. Asoka, a powerful king in India, became Buddhist and built Buddhist temples and schools throughout India B. Missionaries spread Buddhism to other countries in Asia C. Eventually Buddhism spread via the Silk Road into China, Korea, and Japan. VI. Buddhism splits A. Theravada: followed Buddha’s teachings exactly as he had stated them. B. Mahayana: interpretations of Buddha’s teachings

Early Spread of Buddhism