Buddhism

Buddhism Based on life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, aka., Buddha-India, 563-483 B.C.E. He lived a life of luxury in a palace One day he saw a very sick man, a very old man, and a dead man He realized life was an endless cycle of pain escaped only through wisdom For six years he tried to attain wisdom through discipline and suffering sometimes eating only one grain of rice a day When truth about life became clear to him he became the “Enlightened One”

Buddhism Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that may lead to true happiness (nirvana). It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.

Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha is said to have discovered what Buddhists call the Middle Way—a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification.

A religion to about 300 million people worldwide, 'budhi', means 'to awaken'.

Belief system Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with moral teachings of other religions but goes further by providing a long term purpose within one’s existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Dissenting view here Buddhists teach tolerance, but do not preach and try to convert, only explain if an explanation is sought.

The Four Noble Truths The truth about suffering is that it exists. Life is suffering. Birth, aging and dying is suffering.  Our reaching into the world of dreams, our desire to fulfill what cannot be fulfilled is what brings us our suffering.  Only by reaching a state of “not wanting” can we end our suffering The Eight-Fold Path (middle path) can help us to break our habits of suffering

Eight Fold Path 1. Right Understanding Four Noble Truths The Dharma wheel used to represent the Noble Eightfold Path 1. Right Understanding Four Noble Truths 2. Right Thoughts thinking well of people, thoughts of peace 3. Right Speech refrain from lying, slander, gossip, etc 4. Right Action refraining from stealing, killing, attacking others, etc.

5. Right Livelihood avoid occupations that causes one to be directly involved in violating against some aspect of the Eightfold Path - i.e. trade in weapons, slavery, alcohol 6. Right Effort eliminate any evil, prevent evil that might develop, maintain any good, promote any good which might yet develop. 7. Right Mindfulness stay aware of what you are doing to avoid doing what is wrong. 8. Right Concentration train the mind to improve both mental and spiritual discipline

ENLIGHTENMENT Nirvana-release from pain and suffering Following the Eightfold Path helps one attain Nirvana and escape pain and suffering Reincarnation-reborn in another body with no memory of previous lives and subjected to lifetimes of suffering Break the cycle of pain by reaching Nirvana Buddhist Monks spend their lives meditating to attain Enlightenment

Buddhist monks As part of the reaction against Hinduism during its early years, Buddhism rejected the caste system. There are only two religiously important social groups: the monks, who have dedicated their lives to full time pursuit of religious goals, and everyone else. Fragments of a Buddhist cave painting, Two Monks, from cave 224 in Qizil, China, dating from the fourth to sixth centuries.

Buddhist monks True monks spend their lives meditating to achieve Nirvana When grandparent/parent dies a child may become monk for a month or more to help them reach heaven

Young Tibetan Buddhist monks of Drepung

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. The Buddha