1. BUDDHISM Origin: northern India 360 million followers
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (aka the Buddha)

2. Buddhism, continued
Buddha: literally means “one who has awakened”; the enlightened one.
Purpose: to find the middle way, rejecting the extremes in an effort to achieve nirvana.

3. Buddhism, cont. Believe in …
Reincarnation (cycle of birth, death, and rebirth)
Nirvana (achieving peace of one’s mind and body, union with the universe, release from the cycle of rebirth)

4. Buddhism, cont. Do NOT believe in… Prayer,
Eternal life in a heaven or hell
God/God’s
The need for a personal savior
Formal rituals

5. Buddhism cont’d Believe the FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS All life is suffering
Suffering is caused by desire
To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire
To eliminate desire follow the eightfold path

6. Buddhism, cont. Follow the Eightfold Path to achieve the middle way:
Right understanding
Right thinking
Right speech
Conduct
Livelihood
Effort
Mindfulness
Concentration

7. Buddhism, cont. Teach that DESIRE causes suffering.
NIRVANA can be achieved if desire can be overcome and one can lead a life without pain and suffering.