Enlightenment and Nirvana BUDDHISM NOTES Enlightenment and Nirvana

Who was Buddha? An Introduction The Buddha was a real person. He was named Siddhartha Guatama and was born in 563 BC. His parents were king and queen of the Shakyas, which is a tribe that once located in modern Nepal. That means that the Buddha was originally a prince and a member of the Hindu Kshatriya (warriors & rulers) caste. He and his family were members of the religion of Hinduism. At age 29, he left his wife and child to figure out a method to end suffering and achieve happiness that lasts.

At the age of 35, he gained enlightenment and was given the title Buddha which means “Awakened one “ The Buddha began teaching his method to others.

At the age of 80, the Buddha died and entered nirvana. After his death, his followers continued to teach his method which became known as Buddhism.

Siddhartha decides that he will have to find a way to end suffering on his own. He sits under a bodhi tree to meditate to find the answer. After meditating for 7 weeks, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha.

ENLIGHTEnMENT: Accepting and being happy with whatever happens Elimination of all negative emotions from thoughts Elimination of all bad karma Buddha: A being who has become enlightened

The Buddha then spent the next 40 years of his life teaching others about his method to end suffering. At the age of 80, the Buddha died and passed into nirvana. Nirvana: End of Rebirths Pass into an existence of ultimate happiness with no form.

Put the story of Siddhartha Gautama in order He lived a life of luxury in a palace He saw suffering for the first time He went and mediated under a Bohdi tree for 7 days He left the palace to find out more about the world

The correct order!! He lived a life of luxury in a palace He left the palace to find out more about the world He saw suffering for the first time He went and mediated under a Bohdi tree for 7 days

The four noble truths Suffering happens all the time because people always want more or something better than what we have. Because we don’t have what we want we suffer and feel upset. If we accept what we have and stop wanting more we will become happy This will stop suffering

The 4 Noble Truths: It helps some people to imagine the 4 Noble Truths like going to the Doctor…except it applies to your whole life. Life means suffering. The origin of suffering is attachment. The end of suffering is possible. There is an Eightfold Path to the end of suffering. You are feeling ill and go to the Doctor. The Doctor diagnoses the cause of your illness. The Doctor reassures you that there is some medicine you can take. There are 8 different pills to take that will make you better.

The 4th Noble Truth = The Eightfold Path What 8 things do you think you should do to end suffering? What do you think the “There is an Eightfold path to the end of suffering.”

Can you control your mind?

“… a middle way, leads to happiness and freedom from suffering” Noble Eightfold Path “… a middle way, leads to happiness and freedom from suffering” Right Mindfulness Right Effort Right Concentration Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Vision Right Livelihood

The Eightfold Path ……

The Dharma Wheel is the Symbol for Buddhism…why do you think that is?

The Four Noble Truths Situations……

Jack’s parents are very rich and have bought him the new i-phone for his birthday. His best friend is Sam who parents are not rich. Sam feels embrassed and annoyed when Jack is showing people his new phone because he has to share his with his little brother.   How can Sam use the four noble truths to stop feeling jealous of Jack?

Chris always tries hard at school and is well behaved in lessons, but doesn’t get many joules because he always gets forgotten about in lessons by the teacher. Max is in the same class and is always calling out, wandering around the classroom and behaving badly. The teachers want Max to behave so give him lots of joules to stop him misbehaving. Chris gets really annoyed because Max has many more joules than him.   How can Chris use the four noble truths to make himself feel better about this?

Jemma is polite, well behaved and talented piano player who has a few close friends she knew from primary school. In her year is Hannah who is popular and funny with loads of different friends all the time. Jemma is jealous of Hannah because she seems to have loads more friends than her and more people know her.   How can Jemma use the four noble truths to stop feeling jealous of Hannah?

Adam and Mark play on Call of Duty all the time after school Adam and Mark play on Call of Duty all the time after school. Mark is much better than Adam and beats him almost everyday. Adam is starting to feel jealous and does’nt want to play against Mark anymore.   How can Mark use the four noble truths to feel better about this?

Zac’s family go on holiday every year to Cornwall to visit their Grandma. Zac used to enjoy going on holiday here but now he thinks its stupid and does’nt like it. He wants to go to Florida like his other mates do at school.   How can Zac use the four noble truths to make himself feel better about this?

For his birthday Tom asked for a Xbox 360 with loads of different games. His Mum explained to him that she would’nt be able to afford an Xbox for a few more months until she can save up. On his brithday morning his mum gives him a present, inside is a Xbox but with no games. Tom screams at his Mum and runs to his bedroom.   How can Tom use the four noble truths to feel better about this?

Sam met his new friend Chris at rugby club last week Sam met his new friend Chris at rugby club last week. Sam has invited Chris round to play on the xbox next week. Chris really wants to go round but is worried because he knows Sams family are much richer than his and have a huge house. He is worried that if Sam ever comes round to his house he will be embarassed because its smaller.   How can Chris use the four noble truths to feel better about this?