BUDDHISM
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (560BC-480BC) Prince in Nepal Gave up his wife, family and kingdom to search for the reasons man suffered so much
Arrival of the Buddha
Six years While meditating the answer came to him From this point on he became known as the “Buddha” or enlightened one with spiritual knowledge
Buddha’s Teachings Four Noble Truths All life contains sorrow and suffering Desire for things man cannot have or attachment to material things leads to his sorrow Man must overcome his desires to rid himself of suffering Overcome desire by following the Noble Eightfold Path
Noble Eightfold Path Right Faith Right resolve to resist evil Right Speech Right Actions Right Living Right Effort Right Thought Right Meditation
Nirvana It will take man several lifetimes to learn to overcome his desires Once he had accomplished this the endless cycle of rebirths would end Nirvana would be achieved (become one with the universe)
Asoka declares Buddhism the official religion of India Sends missionaries to spread the faith After Asoka’s death many of Buddhism’s ideas were absorbed into Hindu faith Less than a million followers in India today Still popular in Japan, China, and Korea
Mahayana Buddha was more than a teacher and that he was a god Nirvana is a paradise similar to Christians heaven Saints help men achieve Nirvana
Buddha was simple a teacher and the holiest life is followed by Buddhist monks Theravada (Hinayana)
Zen For the benefit of others Popular among Japanese Samurai warriors