Buddhism Copyright © Clara Kim 2007. All rights reserved.

Founder Siddhartha Gautama credited for founding Buddhism Born in 563 B.C.

Siddhartha Gautama Born in the Brahmin Caste (he was a prince) He led an extremely sheltered life in the royal compound

One Day… At the age 25 he left the walls of the palace He saw 4 men Old man Sick man Dead man Poor man

What Did It Mean? This made him understand that every living thing experiences old age, sickness and death BUT! ONLY religious life can save someone from suffering

What Did He Do? For the next 6 years he wandered the forests of India looking for ENLIGHTENMENT Enlightenment means wisdom. He becomes Buddha.

First Noble Truth: Everything in life is suffering or has Sorrow. Four Noble Truths First Noble Truth: Everything in life is suffering or has Sorrow.

What causes suffering is people’s desire for material things Second Noble Truth What causes suffering is people’s desire for material things

Third Noble Truth The only way to end suffering is to give up all desires

Fourth Noble Truth: The way to get over these desires is to be Enlightened by following the Eight Fold Path

Eight Fold Path * Steps you must take in order to reach NIRVANA Nirvana – Release from all selfishness and pain Eightfold Path: Right view - Right action Right intention - Right effort Right speech - Right mindfulness Right livelihood - Right concentration

Reincarnation Buddhists believe in reincarnation Different from Hindu belief: Buddhists may be reincarnated as many times as it takes until Enlightenment and Nirvana are reached. Hindus believe in reincarnation as a means of rising up the caste to reach moksha. There is the risk of being reincarnated in a lower caste.

Nirvana

Pictures Cited Slide 1 – www.religionfacts.com Slide 11 – Personal file picture Slide 12 – Personal file picture Slide 16 – http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/146043327_43147bbdf3.jpg