Aim: how did Buddhism become a major religion in Asia? Buddhism Where did Buddhism start? Siddhartha Gautama (aka Buddha; the enlightened one) Who was Buddha and how did Buddhism start? Who was the founder of Buddhism? Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (563BCE 483BCE), or Buddha, which means "enlightened one." Four Noble Truths Siddhartha's philosophy of the nature of human suffering and its relation to desire is articulated by these four statements: 1. Life is full of pain and suffering. 2. Human desire causes this suffering. 3. By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering. 4. Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path. What is the Buddhist Nirvana? What are the two largest Buddhists sects and how do they differ? Fin What is this place? Meandros (Menander), King of Bactria BTW, this guys is famous in his own right. Hell be in tomorrows lesson. The Indo-Greek King, ruler of Bactria (Afghanistan), known as Meandros (Menander) to the Greeks and Milinda to Indians practiced Buddhism and helped spread Buddhism to many parts of the world such as China. There is even a Buddhist religious book, The Melindapanha, named after him. Traditional Chinese Laughing Buddha statue. Budai was a Buddhist monk. Question: to what extent did the ancient Indo Greeks have an impact on the growth of Buddhism? Aim: how did Buddhism become a major religion in Asia? Buddhism Fin Aim: to what extent did the ancient Indo Greeks have an impact on the growth of Buddhism? Why is Buddhism a good example of Cultural Diffusion?