The Buddha Siddhartha Gautama Born c. 563 BCE (or 490 BCE) in Lumbini, today in Nepal Died c. 483 BCE (or 410 BCE) (aged 80) in Kushinagar, today in India 1

Birth 2

Sheltered life

The Four Passing Sights 4

Leaving Home

The Quest 1) Meditation 2) Asceticism Extreme self-denial 6

There is a Middle Way 7

The Temptation

First Sermon

The Four Noble Truths 1) Life is suffering (dukkha) 2) The cause of suffering is desire (tanha) 3) The cure for suffering is in overcoming desire 4) The way to overcoming suffering is the eight- fold path 10

The eight-fold path Meditation 11

Basic Buddhist Concepts THE THREE MARKS OF EXISTENCE Dukka - Suffering Anicca - The doctrine of impermanence. Anatta - The doctrine that there is in humans no permanent, underlying substance that can be called the soul. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BUDDHISM Nirvana- The extinction of desire, hatred, and ignorance and, ultimately, of suffering and rebirth. Literally, it means “blowing out” or “becoming extinguished,” as when a flame is blown out or a fire burns out. 12

What does “No-Self” mean? Common View Buddhist View What does “No-Self” mean? Subject/Perceiver Perceptions -- Thoughts -- Feelings Perceptions -- Thoughts -- Feelings Subject/self/ perceiver Common view Buddhist View Perceptions --- thoughts ---- feelings Perceptions --- thoughts --- feelings

Theravada (Hinayana) vs. Mahayana Human beings are emancipated by self- effort, without supernatural aid. Key virtue: Wisdom Attainment requires constant commitment, and is primarily for monks and nuns Ideal: The Arhat who remains in nirvana after death Buddha a saint, supreme teacher, and inspirer Minimizes ritual Practice centers on meditation. Human aspirations are supported by divine powers and the grace they bestow Key virtue: Compassion Religious practice is relevant to life in the world, and therefore to laypeople. Ideal: the boddhisattva Buddha is a savior Elaborates metaphysics Emphasizes ritual Includes petitionary prayer

The Three Bodies of the Buddha

Emptiness Nagarjuna

Types of Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land Zen

Hotei (Laughing) Buddha

Vajarayana: Tibetan Buddhism