Buddhism… 2,500 year old tradition Began in India and spread throughout the Far East A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by more than 360 million people Based on the teachings of the Buddha

Buddha head 2nd Century Pakistan Buddha 19th Century Thailand

Who was the Buddha? Siddhartha Gautama: born around 563 B.C.E. in the foothills of the Himalayas. Born into a high-caste family; raised in great luxury to be a king. Beyond the palace he saw a sick person, an old person, and a dead body. He wanted to find the reason for suffering.

Siddhartha’s Quest At age 29 rejected a life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering. Sat in meditation, achieved nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming Buddha, the “Awakened One” at the age of 35. Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved.

What do Buddhists believe? Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not a God – he is just a revered teacher. Buddhists use Buddha’s teachings to reach nirvana (union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth). Through meditation, a person might at last achieve enlightenment.

Core Beliefs The Four Noble Truths: All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow. The cause of suffering is desire (greed). The solution is to eliminate desire thus achieving nirvana. The way to nirvana is through the “Eightfold Path”

What is the Eightfold Path? Wisdom: Right understanding Right motivation Moral discipline: Right speech Right action Right livelihood Mental discipline: Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation

Sacred Texts After his death, followers collected Siddhartha’s teachings in the Tripitaka or “Three Baskets of Wisdom” Vinaya (“discipline”) – rules for monastic life Sutta (“discourse”) – sermons of the Buddha Abhidhamma (“teachings”)

Reincarnation People reincarnate until they reach nirvana, a state of bliss that is an end to suffering. Buddhists also follow the belief in karma (good and bad).

Attitude toward Nonviolence Believe in nonviolence, karma, dharma, moksha, and a cycle of rebirth (just like Hindus). Importance of honesty, charity, and kindness to all living creatures (“do not kill living things”).

Caste System Buddhists reject the caste system- have NO priests or formal rituals. All people have the potential to reach NIRVANA regardless of social class. Thus consider why many Hindus might find Buddhism attractive and convert?

How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Buddhism rejects… Authority of the ancient Vedic texts The Vedic caste system The Vedic and Hindu deities (gods) The need for types of Vedic worship and ritual (no priests) The concept of Brahman

The Spread of Buddhism Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India! (Hinduism absorbed Buddha as another Hindu god)

Schools of Buddhism 1. Theravada: The “Way of the Elders” Monasticism is the ideal life for achieving nirvana 2. Mahayana: The “Great Vehicle” Goal is to become a bodhisattva and assist others toward enlightenment 3. Tibetan: Dalai Lama Meditation, monasticism, wisdom & compassion 4. Zen: Seeks sudden enlightenment through meditation

The Buddha is not fat. All statues portraying the historical Buddha show him as slim as befits a man who ate only enough to satisfy hunger not to be full. The statues of the "fat Buddha" are actually statues of a Chinese monk named Hotei, who was famous for his generosity and kindness to children. Part of the confusion may arise from the fact that Hotei's name in Chinese is Budai.