Buddhism

Ms. CatsosWorld History

Buddhism…A 2500 year old tradition that began in India and spread and diversified throughout AsiaA philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by more than 300 million peopleBased on the teachings of the Buddha

Who was the Buddha?Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E.Raised in great luxury to be a kingFelt empathy for the suffering of others; At age 29 rejected the life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to sufferingFollowed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years

The Buddha, cont.

Rejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, (Awakened One) at the age of 35Spent the rest of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved

What did the Buddha teach?

The Four Noble Truths:All life is sufferingThe cause of suffering is desire & attachmentsThe solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth)The way to Nirvana is through the “Eightfold Path”

What is the Eight-Fold Path?

Wisdom:

1. Right understanding

2. Right motivation

Moral discipline:

3. Right speech

4. Right action

5. Right livelihood

Mental discipline:

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right meditation

What do Buddhists believe?

Once Gautama Buddha died, he ceased to exist Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist god – he is just a revered teacher

How is Buddhism similar to Hinduism?Both faiths believe in…

NonviolenceReincarnationMoksha / Nirvana

How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism?Buddhism rejects…

Authority of the ancient Vedic textsThe caste systemThe many Hindu godsHindu priests

Spread of Buddhism

They set up monasteries and convents for mediation and study. A

monastery in Bhutan

Buddhist monks

Buddha attracted many followers.

The Spread of Buddhism

Missionaries and traders spread Buddhism to north and east into AsiaBy the1100s, Buddhism had disappeared from India

Adapted from:Introduction to Buddhism by

Laura Ellen Shulman