1. BUDDHISM: The Middle Path

2. Historical Buddha 1. (560-480 BC) A rich Hindu prince lived in North India/Nepal 2. Siddhartha Gautama lived in luxury and his family hid all suffering from him 3. When he finally sees illness, old age and death, he leaves home to become an ascetic.

3. Historical Buddha 1. He practiced yoga and fasting and lived a very austere life 2. But this extreme did not help him reach Enlightenment, either. 3. One day he meditated under a bodhi tree.

4. Until he became the “Buddha” or the Awakened One

5. What were his teachings? The Four Noble Truths: 1. Life is suffering 2. Suffering is caused by desire 3. Suffering can be ended 4. End of suffering, or Nirvana, can be reached by following the Eightfold Path...

6. Eightfold Path and precepts 1. Right Understanding 2. Right Aim 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Rig ht Concentration Five Precepts: 1. No killing 2. No stealing 3. No sexual misconduct 4. No lying 5. No stimulants or substance abuse.

7. Core Beliefs- Similar to Hinduism  Karma  Dharma  Reincarnation

8. Sacred Text  The Sacred text of Buddhism is the 3 Baskets otherwise known as the Trip taka

9. Nirvana  Goal of all Buddhists is not reach Moksha but to reach Enlightenment

10. Hinduism and Buddhism Reincarnation Karma Dharma - caste duties Non-violence (ahimsa) Goal: Moksha Follows caste system Polytheistic Reincarnation Karma Dharma - universal laws and Buddha’s teachings Non-violence Goal: Nirvana Rejects caste: believe all can be enlightened Buddha said nothing about gods

11. Emperor Asoka spreads Buddhism

12. Tibetan Plateau 1. Tibet is a high plateau north of the Himalayas in SW China. 2. The head of the Tibetan Buddhists is the Dalai Lama 3. He escaped when the Communist invaded.

13. Zen Buddhism in Japan 1. Many Japanese practiced Shinto and Buddhism 2. Zen Buddhism is a mix of Buddhism and Daoist love of nature 3. It is very disciplined and was popular with the samurai class.