1. Buddhism

2. Buddhism… The “middle way of wisdom and compassion” Major world religion based on the teachings of Siddartha Gautama. The Buddha A 2500 year old tradition that began in India and spread to China and Japan It is a philosophy and religion followed by more than 300 million people.

3. The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha – the teacher Dharma – the teachings Sangha – the community

4. Who was the Buddha? Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C. Raised to be a king Left a life of luxury to seek ”enlightenment” - Achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha Taught others how to achieve inner peace

5. What did the Buddha teach? The Four Noble Truths: 1. To live is to suffer 2. The cause of suffering is greed and materialism 3. The solution is to get rid of desire and luxury 4. The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”

6. What is the Eight-Fold Path? Wisdom: Right understanding Right motivation Moral discipline: Right speech Right action Right livelihood Mental discipline: Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation

7. What do Buddhists believe? Reincarnation results from karma Tripitaka - the sacred text of Buddhism Achieving Nirvana means to stop reincarnation Buddhism is non-theistic (no gods): Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a respected teacher

8. How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Buddhism rejects… 1. The Vedas 2. The Caste System 3. Hindu gods 4. Hindu worship 5. Brahman (god is present in everything)

9. How is Buddhism the same as Hinduism? Buddhism requires two things… Belief in the concept of reincarnation (Atman) Vegetarianism

10. The Spread of Buddhism After Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread into East Asia Buddhism disappeared from India