buddhism. also known as: the middle path current population: 364 million
TRANSCRIPT
Buddhism
Also known as:
The Middle Path
Current Population:
364 million
LocationOriginally began in India
(only 1% of the population in India today)
Has spread throughout the world: mostly China, Japan and Southeast Asia
OriginsFounded by Siddhartha
Gautama (528BC)Aka: Buddha
Challenged ideas of the Brahmin Priests
Saw life as an endless cycle of pain- -only way to escape was
through wisdomGain wisdom through
fasting, harsh discipline and sufferingEnlightenment came to
him after meditating deeply for 49 days
BeliefsFour Noble Truths
1. Everything in life is suffering and sorrow
2. The cause of suffering is people’s self centered desire
3. The way to end suffering is eliminate one’s desire
4. Follow the eightfold path
The Eightfold Path
Buddha’s guide for behavior
Movement through path is like a staircase
each step must be mastered before moving on to the next (can take multiple lifetimes)
Eightfold Path
right knowledge
right purpose
right speech
right action
right living
right effort
right mindfulness
right meditation
Eightfold Path
by following the Eightfold Path, ANYONE could reach nirvana
Buddha taught followers to treat all living things with loving kindness
Enlightenment
Nirvana- release from selfishness and pain; becoming one with the universe
Religious LeadersBuddhist monks
and nunsMost famous
leader- Dalai Lama- leader of Tibetan
Buddhism
Places of Worship
Buddhist monks and followers tend to worship in temples
-Stupas- religious shrines established that contain the relics of Buddha. Many make pilgrimages to stupas and other religious sites
Famous Writings
Tripitaka (Three Baskets of Wisdom)
- earliest written scriptures based on Buddha’s teachings
Religious Sects
Theravada BuddhismStressed monastic
life as the way to reach nirvana
Respected Buddha as a teacher, but not as a god
Spread to Ceylon, Burma, Thailand
Mahayana BuddhismWorshipped
Buddha and other enlightened ones as gods
Spread to China, Tibet, Japan and Korea