2. Religions of South Asia

3. Buddhism in the Subcontinent

4. The essence of Buddhism  The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”  2,500 year old tradition.  The 3 jewels of Buddhism:  Buddha, the teacher.  Dharma, the teachings.  Sangha, the community.

5. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)  Born  Born in NE India (Nepal).  Raised  Raised in great luxury to be a king.  At  At 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek the source of suffering.  Lived  Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs.  Rejecting  Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana.  Became  Became “The Enlightened One,” One,” at 35.

6. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire Attachments to material things Desire Attachments to material things

7. So one should Relinquish attachments to material items Everything on this Earth is ever- changing so keeping attachments can only bring suffering Actively work to end suffering

8. 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.

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

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

11. Four Noble Truths 4. To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

12. The Five Precepts 1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures. 2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given. 3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct. 4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech. 5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicants which lead to carelessness.

14. Karma can be changed s/he is aware of her karma and thus strive to change the course of events “All that we are is a result of what we have thought, it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts” –The Dhammapada There are ten realms of being 10) The Buddha 9) Bodhisattvas* ( enlightened beings remaining on earth to teach others 8) Pratkyeka Buddha (Buddha for himself) 7) Svartka* (direct disciple of Buddha) 6) Heavenly beings 5) Humans 4) Asura (fighting spirits) 3) Beasts

15. 2) Preta (hungry ghosts) 1) Depraved men (hellish beings) All are mutually inclusive meaning each one contains part of the other nine realms A selfish man can create is own hell and a Buddha must be able to identify with the other nine therefore These states of mind are created by humans actions and words Consider your motives and intentions and you can decide what realm you are in

16. Eightfold Path Nirvana  The union with the ultimate spiritual reality.  Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

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

18. Theravada Buddhism  The oldest school of Buddhism.  The “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.”  Found in southern Asia.  The 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.

19. Theravada Buddhism

20. Mahayana Buddhism  The “Great Vehicle.”  Founded in Southern India adopted in China  Buddhism “for the masses.”  Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings.  Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self- sacrifice of those enlightened few.

21. Mahayana Buddhism

22. Zen Buddhism  The “Meditation School.”  Seeks sudden enlightenment [satori] through meditation, arriving at emptiness [sunyata].  Use of meditation masters [Roshi].  Beauty, art, and aesthetics:  Gardens.  Archery.  Tea ceremony.  Calligraphy.

23. Buddha – 19c Thailand

24. Buddha ’s head : 2c Pakista n Buddha ’s head : 2c Pakista n

25. Tibetan Buddhism  The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana]  Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.  A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.  Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama.  The Tibetan Book of the Dead [Bardo Thodol].

26. The Dalai Lam a

27. Brief sketch of the spread of Buddhism in Asia

28. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

30. Buddhist Altar

31. Seated Boddhisatva – 16c Bhutan

32. boddhisatva

33. Buddhism in America (1999)

34. Distribution of Buddhism Centers in the US, 2001

35. 10 th Annual western buddhist monastic conference California, 2004

36. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2 800782174508351686&ei=GA_GSM30PIn OwgOtopTIDg&q=boy+in+Nepal+meditate s&vt=lf&hl=enhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2 800782174508351686&ei=GA_GSM30PIn OwgOtopTIDg&q=boy+in+Nepal+meditate s&vt=lf&hl=en

37. Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley Hs Chappaqua, NY www.buddhanet.net