1. Buddhism

2. Siddhartha Born in India around 566 BC into an upper caste family
Ventured outside his palace and saw a world of misery and decay
Started a life of wandering in search of the cause of human suffering

3. Sought answers from scholars and holy men
Tried fasting and self-denial

4. After 6 years of wandering, he sat under a tree to meditate
Suddenly, he felt he had found the knowledge he sought
Having attained enlightenment, he became the Buddha or “Enlightened One”

5. “The Four Noble Truths”
Life is suffering.
Suffering arises from desire.
The solution to suffering is restraining desire.
Desire can be controlled if a person follows the “Eightfold Path”

7. Buddhism centered on the individual, not the gods
Rejected the caste system
People should search for spiritual truth through self-discipline and meditation
Ultimate reward was Nirvana

8. The Spread of Buddhism
The Buddha attracted many disciples as he traveled across India
Monasteries and convents were set up by Buddhist monks and nuns
Spread across much of East Asia
Buddhist monastery in Tibet

10. Hinduism Developed as a reaction to the challenge of Buddhism
Brahmin class less important
Less animal sacrifice
Inclusive of other religious practices