Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) Born in NE India (maybe Nepal) Raised in great luxury to be a king. Sheltered by his father, lived a luxurious life in a palace - no suffering.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) At the age of 29 he left the palace four times and he saw: old age sickness death a seeker of religious truth Following the “Four sights” he left the palace for good, leaving his wife and newborn son behind.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) Lived a monk life Eventually rejecting this extreme, he sat in meditation, chose the middle way and found nirvana. Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35. His message spread through the “Sutras” (over 2,000 holy texts on Buddhism) *denying yourself worldly pleasure (like fasting, or refusing to sleep indoors)

What is the cause of all human suffering? - Desire - Material attachment

Four Noble Truths The cause of suffering is desire and attachments. All life is suffering. To live is to suffer. The cause of suffering is desire and attachments. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. To reach nirvana (해탈), one must follow the Eightfold Path.

8 fold path

A transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self. One who reaches nirvana is released from the cycle of death and rebirth = final goal of Buddhism Before this, Buddhism believes in reincarnation. (환생)

The Spread of Buddhism Buddhism has spread from India to East Asia and beyond

Two Types of Buddhism Theravada Buddhism (Found in South/Southeast Asia) Mahayana Buddhism (Common in East Asia)