2. Who was the Buddha?
Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E.
Raised in great luxury to be a king
Empathy for the suffering of others; at age 29 rejected the life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering
Followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years
Rejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35
Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved

3. The Four Noble Truths All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.
The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are actually illusions, such as riches, power, and long life.
The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire.
The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.

4. The Eightfold Path Right Views Right Aspirations Right Speech
Right Conduct
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Contemplation

5. Nirvana
Final Goal: Nirvana: become one with the Universe and to be released from the cycle of reincarnation

6. Similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism
Both believe in Karma, Dharma, and Moksha
Both believe in Ahimsa - (non-violence)
versus

7. Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism
Individuals seek enlightenment through meditation
Rejects the caste system

8. The Tripitaka The sacred text of Buddhism is the Tripitika
It consists of the collected sayings of the Buddha

9. The Spread of Buddhism
Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia
By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India