By: Reni Fashoro, Maya Doogah, Amani Gordon, and Nathan Breneisen Buddhism By: Reni Fashoro, Maya Doogah, Amani Gordon, and Nathan Breneisen

Introducing Buddhism Buddhism is a path to spiritual discovery. About 370 million people in the world today are practicing Buddhism 4th largest of the world's religion

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Early Life of Buddha Siddhartha lived a sheltered life and never experienced suffering. He dedicated his life to end suffering by purposely putting himself into poverty. He traded his nice clothes for rags and cut all of his hair off. He wanted to live a holy life and find the truth. He practiced meditating and lived in the forest almost starving at times with five other holy men. The whole purpose for him was to find wisdom.

Enlightenment Exhausted and weak Siddhartha made his way to Bodhi Gaya in NE India He sat under a bodhi tree to meditate vowing not to move until discovered the truth He was visited by Mara, the "evil one". Nothing Mara said or did could disturb his concentration As night went on he found what he was looking for He became the Buddha, the enlightened one

Buddhist Beliefs Everything in the world in impermanent When gaining enlightenment Buddha found the answer to why people suffer and the path to liberate them. If they follow his teaching they can become enlightened Do NOT believe in an all powerful God Believed Buddha was nothing more than a human being

Buddhist Beliefs Nirvana is the belief in continual cycle of birth, old age, illness, death and re-becoming or re-birth DO NOT BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION because they do not believe in a soul The cycle is called Samsara Nirvana is the end of suffering

Buddhist Beliefs: The Three Gems Buddhist beliefs are summed up in three gems Dharma- the act of teaching Buddhism Sangha- the community of Buddhists Buddha- the enlightened one

Buddhist Beliefs: The Four Noble Truths 1. Life is duhkha- when we are un enlightened the way of we live produces discontent and suffering the only release from duhkha is to achieve nirvana Duhkha is caused by attachment- we are forever "clinging" to things, each other, and ourselves in a mistaken effort at permanence Attachment can be overcome- breaking out of rebirth cycle can be achieved by gaining nirvana, which is freedom from all desires The way to overcome this cycle is the Noble Eightfold Path

Buddhist Beliefs: The Eight Fold Path Right View- understanding the Four Noble Truths Right Thought- using your mind in the right way so that you become unselfish Right speech- being kind and helpful when you speak and not telling lies, swearing, gossiping Right Action - avoiding killing, stealing, or being dishonest. Being faithful to your husband/wife, not drinking alcohol or taking non medical drugs Right Livelihood - working to the best of your ability. The job you do should be useful and not involve anything that harms others. Right effort- avoid bad things and working hard to do good Right mindfulness- focusing your attention on your body, feelings, consciousness to overcome bad things Right Concentration- meditating in such a way as to have a true understanding of impermanence

Buddhist Practices Meditation Try to reach nirvana by following Buddhas teachings Mindfulness meditiation Believe they will become better people and achieve enlightenment

The three Marks of Existence Duhkha "suffering" - the way that we normally live life produces discontent and suffering Anitya "impermanence" - nothing last even solid things. Anatman "no soul" - Buddha said there's no such thing as a soul/spirit

Five precepts Not to harm living beings Not to take what is not given To avoid improper sexual activity Not to take part in improper speech To avoid alcohol and the misuse of drugs

Monks & Nuns Monks spend most time studying and meditating Monks/Nuns agree to: not eat after midday, not to attend music/dancing, not to use perfume/jewelry, not to sleep on a comfortable bed, and not to accept gifts of money

Ashoka After Buddha passes away his followers helped carry on his teachings Ashoka ruled India (273- 232 BCE) Became unhappy after causing so much death He met Buddhist monks and listened to teachings and became a Buddhist He then tried to rule according to Buddhist teachings Encouraged others and sent monks and nuns to teach Buddhism

The Spread of Buddhism Spread into 2 routes - north to mainland Asia and South to the islands of Asia Korea in the 4th century Myanmar in the 5th century Help from ruler Anawratha Japan in the 8th century 19th cent. - went from Japan to the Americas (west coast) 1893 introduced at the Worlds Parliament of Religions

3 Main Schools: Theravada Theravada "Way of Elders" Teachings written in Pali- mostly read by monks Mostly found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos Emphasize idea- each person must gain enlightenment for him/herself They do NOT pray to Buddha Believe best way to live is as a monk Some women become nuns(live like monks) Believe duty to give food/gifts to monks and Monasteries

3 Main Schools Mahayana "great vehicle" Different way to nirvana Belief in Bodhisattva - people destined to nirvana but postpones to help others Both Theravada/Mahayana use rupas of Buddha to help worship

3 Main Schools Vajrayana "diamond vehicle" "thunder vehicle" Followers - Tibet, Mongolia, Japan Emphasizes close relationship b/w spiritual leader (guru)

The Spread

Timeline 483 B.C Buddha passes away 563 BCE: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) is born 483 B.C Buddha passes away 528 BCE: Buddha achieves Enlightenment

Bibliography Bazaz Wangu, Madhu. World Religions: Buddhism. Pictorial Education: n.p., 1973. Print. Morris, Tony. What Do Buddhists Believe?: Meaning and Mindfulness in Buddhist Philosophy. New York: Walker, 2008. Print. Penny, Sue. "Buddhism (World Beliefs and Cultures)." Buddhism (World Beliefs and Cultures): Sue Penney: 9781575723549: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014.