BuddhismBuddhism

One Man’s Journey to One Man’s Journey to EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Who, What, Why?

Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of BuddhismBuddhism

He was raised Hindu and was the son of a He was raised Hindu and was the son of a local ruler (extremely wealthy)local ruler (extremely wealthy)

Lived a sheltered life; unaware of other Lived a sheltered life; unaware of other people’s sorrowpeople’s sorrow– He never knew that other people were unlike himHe never knew that other people were unlike him

An “Eye-Opening” Experience

Siddhartha eventually left his palace and Siddhartha eventually left his palace and saw what the real world was like.saw what the real world was like.– He saw old age, sickness, and death…for the He saw old age, sickness, and death…for the

first time!first time! He now asked a very important question: He now asked a very important question:

Why is there suffering?Why is there suffering?– He then goes out in search of the answer.He then goes out in search of the answer.

Seeking Answers

Siddartha followed the traditional Hindu path Siddartha followed the traditional Hindu path to find the answers he was looking for.to find the answers he was looking for.– He fasted and meditated for long periods of He fasted and meditated for long periods of

time…until he got his answers.time…until he got his answers. He became Enlightened: he now knew the He became Enlightened: he now knew the

cause of suffering and he knew the cure.cause of suffering and he knew the cure.– He became the BuddhaHe became the Buddha

• ““The Enlightened One”The Enlightened One”

His Explanations Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold PathFour Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path Four Noble Truths:Four Noble Truths:

1. Suffering is Universal1. Suffering is Universal2. Cause of suffering is desire2. Cause of suffering is desire

- When you get what you desire, you then - When you get what you desire, you then want something elsewant something else

3. Only way to end suffering is to crush desire3. Only way to end suffering is to crush desire- Nirvana = condition of wanting nothing- Nirvana = condition of wanting nothing- - Buddhist’s ultimate goalBuddhist’s ultimate goal

4. Follow the Eightfold Path4. Follow the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path

Right viewsRight views Right speechRight speech Right intentionsRight intentions Right actionRight action Right effortRight effort Right mindfulnessRight mindfulness Right concentrationRight concentration Right livingRight living

Relation to Hinduism

Buddha saw himself as a HinduBuddha saw himself as a Hindu However, he did not like all Hindu beliefsHowever, he did not like all Hindu beliefs

1. Multiple Gods1. Multiple Gods

2. Importance/Power of priests 2. Importance/Power of priests

3. Caste System3. Caste System

Spread of Buddhism

After the Buddha’s death, his followers After the Buddha’s death, his followers passed on his teachings by word of mouthpassed on his teachings by word of mouth

Later, his ideas were written down in the Later, his ideas were written down in the “Three Baskets of Wisdom”“Three Baskets of Wisdom”

Buddhism spread quickly through South Buddhism spread quickly through South Asia and then on to East AsiaAsia and then on to East Asia

Two Main Sects

Main “Main “sectssects” of Buddhism develop” of Buddhism develop– Subgroups of a religionSubgroups of a religion

Theravada BuddhistsTheravada Buddhists– Saw Buddha as a great teacher, not a godSaw Buddha as a great teacher, not a god– Stressed monastic life as the way to reach nirvanaStressed monastic life as the way to reach nirvana– Popular in Sri Lanka, Burma, and ThailandPopular in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand

Mahayana BuddhistsMahayana Buddhists– Followers worship the Buddha as a godFollowers worship the Buddha as a god– Became popular in China, Korea, and Japan.Became popular in China, Korea, and Japan.

The Spread of Buddhism

Buddha Statue in China

Different Representations of the Buddha

Buddhist Monks