1. Chapter 5: India’s First Empires Lesson 2: Buddhism
Pages 96 – 99

4. Part A: Buddhism’s Emergence
Siddhartha Gautama was the son of a princely family in a small kingdom in the foothills of the Himalayas in what is today part of southern Nepal
In his late twenties he set out to find a solution to the pain of illness/suffering, the sorrow of death, and the effects of old age on ordinary people

5. Part A: Buddhism’s Emergence
3. After a period of asceticism did not yield results, he turned to meditation, and found enlightenment. 4. Though it may have begun as an attempt to reform Hinduism, Buddhism became a new religion dedicated to awakening / enlightenment and seeing the world anew.

6. Part B: The Principles of Buddhism
5. In Buddhism, Bodhi, or wisdom, is the key step in achieving Nirvana, or the union with the ultimate reality / enlightenment (release from reincarnation) 6. The Buddha taught a path of moderation he called the Middle Way, also known as Eightfold Path to enlightenment

7. Part B: The Principles of Buddhism
7. Siddhartha accepted the idea of reincarnation, but rejected the Hindu caste system and Hinduism’s multitude of gods. 8. Overtime, Siddhartha agreed to accept women into the Buddhist monastic order, and though they held an inferior position, their status was higher in Buddhist societies than elsewhere

8. The Four Noble Truths Ordinary life is full of suffering
This suffering is caused by our desires and greed
The way to end suffering is to end desire, selfishness, and greed
The way to end desire is to follow the Middle Path or Way through moderation

9. The Eightfold Path Right View Right Intention Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

10. Nirvana?