1. Japan Beliefs and Values
Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism

2. Buddhism Began in India about 2500 years ago
Started by Prince Siddhartha Guatama
Achieved a state of nirvana meaning perfect peace
Became known as the Buddha which means ‘enlightened one’
Many Japanese accept both Shinto and Buddhism

3. Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths
All life involves suffering
Suffering is caused by desire
Desire can be overcome
The way to overcome desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path

4. The Eightfold Path

5. Buddhist Temples Made of unpainted wood
Often included a bell tower and a pagoda
Some were simple but some were richly decorated

6. Zen Buddhism Zen Buddhism involves study of texts and meditation
A Zen teacher may present a riddle or short story known as a koan for the follower to mediate on using intuition rather than reasoning to solve in a sudden flash of insight called satori
A very famous and short Koan “What is the sound of one hand clapping? Is actually part of a longer story.

7. Five elements of the Buddhist Universe
Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Space

8. Christianity
Brought to Japan by Portuguese missionary Francis Xavier in 1549
Some daimyo even converted but later Christians were persecuted by Japan’s military rulers
Today only about 2 percent are Christian

9. Confucianism Generally considered a philosophy rather than a religion
It is a set of rules based on teachings of Gong Qui (Confucius to English speakers)
In some ways it meshed well with Shinto
Loyalty , obedience and duty to parents and also to authority are important

10. Review Reading : History Alive 8 - Section 8.7 Questions
In what ways are Shinto and Buddhism different?
List four activities that take place in a Shinto shrine.
Explain what Zen Koans are and what they are used for.
All life is sacred in Buddhist beliefs. How might this affect the eating habits of Buddhists?