Buddhism

 World’s first universal religion  Founded 2500 years ago  Siddhartha Gautama, founder  Tripitaka – sacred texts  million followers  Spread by Emperor Ashoka User:User: User:User:

Basic Beliefs  Founded as a reaction to Hinduism  suffering is part of the human condition  Four noble truths  Eight fold path

Branches  Mahayana - focuses on the Buddha as a divine savior  Tantrayana – “vehicle of the text” emphasis on magic and meditation (sub-set of Mahayana)  Theravada - focuses on the teachings of the Buddha; practice meditation  Zen – contemplative and meditative  Lamaism – combines monasticism with worship of local demons and deities

Dalai Lama of Tibet

Buddha under Bodhi Tree, Sri Lanka

7 Anuradhapura, Sri Lankan Stupa

8 TIBETAN CHORTEN/STUPA

Buddhist Monasteries

Buddhist Temple - Daegu

Buddhist Temple – Thailand (made of recycled bottles)

Buddhist Pagodas San Francisco, CA and Anhui Province, China