1. Origins of Buddhism

2. The Quest for Answers Siddhartha Gautama – aka “Buddha”
Born a Kshatriya, 563 BC (a prince)
Saw human suffering & pain
Questioned why people suffer
Journeyed through India
No one could give him answers

3. Finding Enlightenment
He wanted to free himself of daily concerns
(For a while he didn’t even bath -starts fasting and meditating)
Fasting- going without food
Meditation- the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas
Siddhartha spent 6 years
wandering in India

4. Finding Enlightenment
Sat down under a tree & meditated for 7 weeks
He had an epiphany & realized human suffering came from 3 things…
1) Wanting what we like but do not have
2) Wanting to keep what we like & already have
3) Not wanting what we dislike & have

5. Finding Enlightenment
From then on he was known as….
“Buddha”
A.K.A “The Enlightened One”
(He spent the rest of his life
traveling in N. India &
teaching people his ideas)

6. Challenging Hindu Ideas
Buddha rejected many rituals from the Vedas (Like animal sacrifice)
Challenged authority of Brahmins (Priests cannot help you reach salvation)
Disagreed with the caste system
Buddhism attracted herders, farmers, artisans, & untouchables

7. Teachings of Buddhism Buddha gained followers as he traveled
(These people were the first Buddhists)
Similarity with Hinduism =
Belief in reincarnation, karma
Reincarnation until you reach
nirvana – a state of perfect
peace (total clarity)

8. Four Noble Truths
-four guiding principles at the heart of Buddha’s teachings
Suffering is a part of human life that no one can escape.
Suffering comes from our desires.
Suffering will end when we are free of desire.
4. Release from suffering and desire will occur as a result of following the Eightfold Path.

9. The Eightfold Path
The “Middle Way” or path to a life of limited suffering…
1. Right Thought
2. Right Intent
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right Effort
7.Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

10. Buddhism Spreads
By Buddha’s death in 483 BC, Buddhism had spread throughout India by missionaries -someone who works to spread religious beliefs

11. A Split within Buddhism
Two major branches:
Theravada & Mahayana
Theravada - believe in following Buddha’s teachings exactly
Mahayana – believes others can interpret teachings to reach nirvana
Mahayana is by far the larger branch

12. Famous Buddhists
Approximately 7% of world population