1. Buddhism

2. Maitreya Buddha
Name means “future Buddha”. Many believe he will return to earth in the future to restore Buddhist ideals
He is a Chinese symbol that most assume is the Buddha, he is not.
He is a symbol for generosity

3. Terms to Know Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Ascetic Middle-Way Bodhi Tree
Enlightenment
Nirvana
Karma
4 Noble Truths
Eightfold Path

6. The Bodhi Tree
Mahabodhi tree (Sacred Fig) next to the Mahabodhi Temple, the spot where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. It is supposedly the descendent of the original tree.

8. Facts
Buddhism is the 4th largest religion with about 360 million followers.
Branches away from Hinduism
Founder is the 1st Buddha, a former Hindu prince by the name of Siddhartha Guatama.
1st written records of Buddhism came about 400 years after Buddha’s death.
Theism varies from somewhat atheistic to polytheistic, to pantheistic.

9. God(s)
Gods are real but they are not the focus like many religions. Some Buddhists place little emphasis if any on deities.
Focus is on the pursuit of an individual’s spiritual goals and the complete understanding of reality and life (enlightenment).

10. The Start of Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama : Born 583 BC near Nepal.
Wealthy son of king.
Sheltered, well educated, and is married
Escapes the palace around age 29
Old man
Sick man
Corpse
Ascetic
Realizes the inescapable fate of all humans
Begins his quest for enlightenment and an escape from rebirth
Becomes an ascetic
Switches to the “Middle Way”
Sits under a Bodhi Tree

11. The Ultimate Goal: Achieve Nirvana
The breaking of the cycle of rebirth.
It has no definition to Buddhists because it must be experienced to be understood
You want to avoid life’s roadblocks that prevent you from reaching Nirvana.
This can be done by following the “Four Noble Truths”.

12. The Bedrock of Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths (essential for enlightenment)
All of life is marked by suffering (life is suffering)
Suffering is caused by desires and attachment.
Suffering can be eliminated by abandoning desires and attachments.
Desires and attachments can be eliminated by following The Eightfold Path.

13. The Eightfold Path (to enlightenment)
Right Understanding
– Develop an understanding of the world through the 4 Noble Truths.
Right Thought
– Avoid Jealous or angry thoughts: foster thoughts of goodwill.
Right Speech
avoid lying, harsh words, etc.
Right Action
peaceful honest and pure conduct.

14. Eightfold Path Continued
5) Right livelihood
- earn your living in an honest and righteous way.
6) Right Effort
- practice discipline and cultivation of the mind
7) Right Alertness
- awareness of your own actions works and thoughts and their reality, not conceptualizations.
8) Right Concentration
- the ability to become completely absorbed in one point or object leading to a state of higher consciousness (meditation)

16. Purpose in Life and the Afterlife (will vary based on sect)
Focus of life is understanding human nature and reality
Death is followed by reincarnation based on Karma. (may take animal form, human, or even a god)
The only way to break this cycle is to achieve enlightenment (complete understanding) and enter Nirvana.
Some Buddhists believe in the idea of a Bodhisattva – one who has achieved enlightenment but postpones eternal nirvana to return to earth and help others achieve it.

18. Buddhist Quotes
The greatest achievement is selflessness. The greatest worth is self-mastery. The greatest quality is seeking to serve others. The greatest precept is continual awareness. The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything. The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways. The greatest magic is transmuting the passions. The greatest generosity is non-attachment. The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind. The greatest patience is humility. The greatest effort is not concerned with results. The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go. The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.