Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths,

The Eightfold Path,

&

The Five Precepts

Who is Buddha?

• Siddhartha Gautama–Wanted to know why there was suffering

& how to stop that suffering

–Meditated and traveled to find the answer• Took 6 years!

–Became enlightened

–Spent the rest of his life spreading his message

–Became known as Buddha

Why was Buddhism appealing?

• Hindus dissatisfied–Wanted a way to escape the cycle of

reincarnation

–Wanted to find Nirvana, or enlightenment

–Felt that not everyone in society was doing their jobs for the common good

–Buddha’s teaching gave them hope

The Middle Way

• Buddha taught that the way to spiritual enlightenment was to follow The Middle Way–Promoted BALANCE!!!!

–Avoid extremes in life• Wanting it all• Giving it all up

• To follow The Middle Way, one needs to understand the Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

• Life is full of suffering

• Suffering comes from desire/wanting

• Suffering stops when desire/wanting stops

• In order to stop those desires/wants, follow the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path

• Right Understanding–Know & understand the Four Noble

Truths

• Right Aims–Give up worldly things

–Love & help others

–Do not cheat

Wisdom

Eightfold Path

• Right Speech–Tell the truth

–Do not gossip

–Listen & communicate with others

• Right Action–NEVER steal, kill, or be jealous

–Do good for others’ gain, not your own reward

Eightfold Path

• Right Livelihood/Proper Work–Do work that does not cause harm

Morality

Eightfold Path

• Right Thinking/Right Effort–Focus on positive thoughts

–Get rid of the negative

• Right Awareness/Right Mindfulness–Mind should control the body

–Know when to say no to what your body wants

Eightfold Path

• Meditation–Train your mind to concentrate

–Think deeply

–Find peace within yourself

Meditation

Five Precepts

• The Eightfold Path helps Buddhists to follow the Five Precepts (moral code)–Do not take the life of anything living

–Do not take anything not freely given

–Abstain from sensual overindulgence

–Refrain from untrue speech

–Avoid intoxication