1. Chapter 5 Section 3
Origins of Buddhism

2. Origins of Buddhism The Big Idea Buddhism began in India
and became a major religion.
Main Ideas
Siddhartha Gautama searched for wisdom in many ways.
The teachings of Buddhism deal with finding peace.
Buddhism spread far from where it began in India.

3. Siddhartha's Search for Wisdom
Siddhartha Gautama, was a prince born in the Himalayas around 563 BC.
He was a Kshatriya, part of the ruler and warrior caste
He saw human suffering, and began to ask questions about the meaning of human life.

4. The Quest for Answers
Siddhartha Gautama left his home around the age of 30, to search for the meaning of human life.
He had discussions with priests and wise men, however they could not answer his deepest questions.

5. The Buddha finds Enlightenment
Siddhartha spent many years trying to free his mind from daily concerns.
He fasted and meditated to find his answers.
According to legend, Siddhartha spent six years wandering through India and then meditated under the Tree of Wisdom for 7 weeks.

6. The Buddha finds Enlightenment
Finally at last, he figured out the problems of human suffering.
Wanting what we like but do not have
Wanting to keep what we like and already have
Not wanting what we dislike but have
He described his ideas to his followers and titled it he First Sermon

7. The Buddha finds Enlightenment
Siddhartha was 35 when he found enlightenment under the Tree of Wisdom
From that point on, he would be called the Buddha or the “Enlighten One.”
The Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling around India and teaching people his ideas.

8. Teachings of Buddhism
As he travelled, he gained followers among the merchants and artisans class.
Many of his views reflected Hindu beliefs
Like Hindus, he believed that people should act morally and treat others well.

9. Teachings of Buddhism
Buddha’s Guiding Principles were called Four Noble Truths
Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one can escape sorrow. 1.
Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods. People cause their own misery for wanting what they cant have. 2. 3.
People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana, a state of perfect peace.
People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation. 4.

10. The Eightfold Path
The Buddha believed that the Eightfold Path was a middle way between human desires and denying oneself any pleasure.
He believed that people should overcome their desire for material goods.
They should, however, be reasonable, and not starve their bodies or cause themselves unnecessary pain.

13. Challenging Hindu Ideas
The Buddha taught that following the Vedic texts was unnecessary, for example that animal sacrifices were not to needed.
The Buddha challenged the authority of Hindu priests
He did not believe that their rituals were needed for enlightenment, and instead everyone must work for his or her own salvation.
However, he did support the idea of reincarnation

14. Challenging Hindu Ideas
The Buddha was opposed to the caste system.
He believed that people should not be confined to a particular place in society.
Everyone who followed the Eightfold Path would achieve nirvana, despite the varna they are born into.

15. Challenging Hindu Ideas
The Buddha’s opposition to the caste system won him support from the lower classes.
Buddhism made people feel that they had the power to change their lives.
The Buddha also gained favor of the upper classes, they welcomed his ideas about avoiding extreme behavior while seeking salvation.
The Buddha would die in 483 BC

16. Buddhism Spreads
After his death, Buddhism began to spread to other areas
A council was formed to make sure his teachings were remembered correctly.
200 years after his death, Buddhism had to spread to all of India.

18. Buddhism Spreads
Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a Buddhist and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands
Asoka sent Buddhist missionaries, people who work to spread religious beliefs, to travel the world and to teach enlightenment.
Buddhism reached as far east as China and Japan, and as far west as Syria and Egypt.

20. A Split within Buddhism
Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and Mahayana.
Members of the Theravada followed the Buddha’s teachings exactly.
Members of the Mahayana believed that individual interpretation was important.

21. Questions pages 136-141 Answer in a complete sentence
Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
What did the Buddha conclude about the cause of suffering?
What are the Four Noble Truths?
How did Buddha’s teaching agree with Hinduism?
What is one reason why Buddhism spread so quickly?