Introduction

I. There is a SEARCH for the Truth

II. There has been a great DECEPTION

III.There is a NEED for the Truth

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Comprises around 6% of the World’s Population

Key Terms

1. Buddha- Enlightened one2. Meditation- is a discipline by which the

practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness.

3. Dalai Lama- Tibet’s Spiritual and Political Leader

FOUNDING OF BUDDHISM

A. Siddhartha Gautama– Sixth century B.C.– Siddhartha’s life (563-483B.C.)

PERIOD OF ENJOYMENT

1. Born in warrior family of Shakya Tribe– Traditions says his father sheltered him from

all suffering such as• Old age• Sickness• Death • Poverty

2. Siddhartha eventually encountered ALL the Types of Suffering

PERIOD OF ENQUIRY

1. As a result of his encounter he left his family, children, and wealth discover the source of suffering and how to eliminate it.

• Extreme Asceticism• Nearly drowned

* Realized Asceticism did not produce enlightenment

Period of Enlightenment1. Siddhartha walked to a city named Bodh Gaya

and sat under a fig tree and vowed not to rise again until he had attained ENLIGHTENMENT

2. He went into deep meditation and was tempted by the EVIL one (Mara)

3. He attained enlightenment and became the BUDDHA

Buddha’s Last Words:

“Decay is inherent in all things! Work out your Salvation with diligence”

The Movement of Buddhism1. For 200 years Buddhism did not spread beyond

India

2. King Ashoka commissioned MISSIONARIES to go to: Syria, Egypt, Cyrene, Greece, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.

DIVISIONS OF BUDDHISM

1.MAHAYANA– BELIEVE THAT ENLIGHTENMENT

IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PEOPLE

DIVISIONS OF BUDDHISM

• THERAVADABELIEVE THAT

ENLIGHTENMENT IS ACCESSIBLETO ONLY A COMMITTED FEW

4 Noble Truths of Buddhism

1. Life consists of SUFFERING

2. Things are impermanent and ever changing. We suffer because we DESIRE those things

3. The way to liberate oneself from suffering is by eliminating all DESIRE

4. Desire can be eliminated by following the 8 fold path

8 Fold Path1. Right views of life2. Right resolve3. Right Speech4. Right Behavior5. Right Occupation6. Right Effort7. Right Contemplation8. Right Meditation

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

“ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”