GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 9 DR. AFXENDIOU BUDDHISM GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY 9 DR. AFXENDIOU

Where? Developed in India Based on many of the core concepts of Hinduism

Became the BUDDHA “the enlightened one” FOUNDER Siddhartha Gautama – a Brahmin prince – wealthy Became the BUDDHA “the enlightened one”

Places of worship: stupas temples monasteries Monuments built to house remnants of the Buddha

RELIGIOUS LEADERS Most important is the DALAI LAMA leader of the Tibetan sect of Buddhism Buddhist monks-wear distinctive orange robes

ULTIMATE GOAL – Nirvana. GODS No single Supreme Being HOLY BOOKS No primary Holy Book. Beliefs are found in books called Sutras ULTIMATE GOAL – Nirvana. By following the Eight-Fold Path, an individual can escape the cycle of endless reincarnations and achieve nirvana, spiritual enlightenment, and reach a state of eternal bliss.

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS - Explain the meaning of life. KEY BELIEFS FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS - Explain the meaning of life. Life is full of pain and suffering. Human desire causes this suffering. By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering. Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path.

Moral Law – The Eightfold Path

WHEEL OF LIFE One of the most important symbols of Buddhism. Represents the endless cycle of life through REINCARNATION and because each of its eight spokes represents one of the teachings of the Eightfold Path.

Spread to ….

Effect on Society SOCIAL CULTURAL Opposed caste system. Everyone’s soul was equal. This allowed people to challenge the strict social hierarchy of Indian society CULTURAL Buddhism spread from India to many Southeast and East Asian countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia

The Mauryan Empire 321 B.C. – 232 B.C. Founder: Chandragupta Maurya Asoka – 301B.C. – Chandragupta’s grandson Greatest ruler of Mauryan Empire Extended Mauryan conquest – bloody campaigns Following a bitter battle with heavy casualties, he converts to Buddhism. Religious Toleration – still honors Hinduism Sends missionaries out to spread Buddhism Built extensive road network Planted trees Every 9 miles dug a well and built rest houses Changed his rule to be more humanistic