Key Terms The Four Noble Truths The Noble Eightfold Path Nirvana Coach Smith

Around 563 B.C., a prince named Siddhartha Gautama was born in India.

 Siddhartha was an Indian prince.  He lived in a luxurious household. However, he longed to see the world beyond the palace.  Upon leaving the palace, he saw a sick man, an old man, and a corpse. Coach Smith

Upon leaving the palace, Siddhartha discovered the existence of suffering. He discovered that we are born only to age and die.

 Upon learning of the existence of suffering, Siddhartha decided to leave the palace and find the cause and cessation of suffering.  Siddhartha lived among the Hindu ascetics and endured many hardships.  However, he did not discover the cause or cessation of suffering among the Hindus. Coach Smith

After leaving the Hindu ascetics, Siddhartha sat under the Bodhi tree and meditated until he became enlightened.

Coach Smith When Siddhartha achieved enlightenment, he became the Buddha or the Enlightened One.

 Siddhartha’s answer to the cause and cessation of suffering can be found in his Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths Life is suffering. Desire and attachment cause suffering. Suffering can end. Follow the Noble Eightfold Path Coach Smith

Life is suffering but suffering can end.

 The Buddha encouraged his followers to follow the middle path or to avoid extremes such as eating too much or eating too little.  The Noble Eightfold Path are eight actions designed to help followers achieve enlightenment. They are right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. Coach Smith

 Nirvana is the end of suffering.  By achieving nirvana, a person escapes samsara or the cycle of reincarnation.  Siddhartha achieved nirvana when he became enlightened. Coach Smith

Nirvana is the end of suffering.

 Who was Siddhartha Gautama?  Why did Siddhartha leave his palace?  Explain the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.  What is samsara?  Define nirvana.  How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Coach Smith