Religions of South Asia But founded in India!

Buddhism in the Subcontinent Bhutan Sri Lanka Tibet

The essence of Buddhism  “Middle Way of wisdom and compassion”  Based on the teachings of the Buddha  Three jewels of Buddhism:  Buddha, the teacher  Dharma, the teachings  Sangha, the community *Philosophy = way of life

Siddhartha Gautama ( BCE)  born in NE India (Nepal)  raised in great luxury to be a king  at 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering  he sat in meditation, and found nirvana and became “the Enlightened One, or BUDDHA” at 35

What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire!  Therefore,  Therefore, “extinguish the self”: don’t obsess over yourself and STUFF. “stuff” = material things = BAD

Four Noble Truths 1. There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha)  The Buddha found this out when he was young and experienced suffering and death in others.

Four Noble Truths 2. The cause of suffering is self- centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)

Four Noble Truths 3. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”)

Four Noble Truths 4. To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path. MEDITATION WISDOM MORALITY

Eightfold Path Nirvana  Union with the ultimate spiritual reality.  Escape from the cycle of rebirth - Buddhists also believe in reincarnation. “one with the universe…”

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha’s head : 2c Pakistan Buddha’s head : 2c Pakistan

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Buddhist Altar

Laughing Buddha

Types of Buddhism  Therevada Buddhism  Mahayana Buddhism  Tibetan Buddhism  Zen Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism  oldest school of Buddhism  “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle”  found in southern Asia  believe monastic life is the best way to achieve nirvana  focus on wisdom and meditation  goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One”  over 100,000,000 followers today

Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism  “Great Vehicle”  began in northern Asia (China, Japan)  Buddhism “for the masses”  seek guidance from Boddhisatvas = wise beings  Goal: not just individual escape from the cycle of reincarnation, but helping all humans escape the cycle through the self-sacrifice of the enlightened few

Mahayana Buddhism

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c Bhutan

Tibetan Buddhism  “Diamond Vehicle”  began in Tibet in the 7 th c. C.E.  mix of Theravada and Mahayana  Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama  the Tibetan Book of the Dead [Bardo Thodol]

The Dalai Lama

zen Buddhism  the “Meditation School”  seek sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptiness  use of meditation masters [Roshi]  popular in Japan  focus on beauty and art:  Gardens  Archery  Tea ceremony  Calligraphy

Relieve Stress & Meditate: Get a Mantra ! Ohm...mani...padme...hung... Hail to the jewel in the lotus! mantra = saying you meditate with

Philosophy or Religion? – philosophy = way or life – religion? no god… spiritual…