Buddhism

By Donald JohnsonBy Donald Johnson

FounderFounderSiddhartha Gautama

(566 - 480 BC)

Became known as Buddha, which means

“enlightened one”BirthplacBirthplacee

Nepal

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths

Life is suffering

Suffering is caused by desire

Desire can be overcome

There is a path that overcomes desire and ends suffering

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold PathRight understanding

Right thought

Right speech

Right action

Right livelihood

Right effort

Right mindfulness

Right concentration

Four Themes of the Four Themes of the PathPath

• Right thought is the true desire to free oneself from attachment, ignorance, and hatefulness.

• Right speech involves abstaining from lying, gossiping, or hurtful talk.

• Right effort is a matter of exerting oneself in regards to the content of one's mind: Bad qualities should be abandoned and prevented from arising again; Good qualities should be enacted and nurtured.

• Right mindfulness is the focusing of one's attention on one's body, feelings, thoughts, and consciousness in such a way as to overcome craving, hatred, and ignorance. .

KarmaKarmaKarma - good or bad actions a person takes during their lifetime results in the same

The weight that actions carry is determined by five conditions: frequent, repetitive action; determined, intentional action; action performed without regret; action against extraordinary persons; and action toward those who have helped one in the past

What goes around comes around

Neutral Karma - derives from acts such as breathing, eating or sleeping. Neutral karma has no benefits or costs.

Shangri-laShangri-la

• A place of bliss and peace

ShambalaShambala

• A mythical, hidden “paradise in earth”

Where and when did religion begin?

3000B.C.Sumerian

Civilization

3000B.C.Egypt

Civilization

5000B.C.Yellow River

2000-1000B.C.Judaism

566B.C.Buddhism

Hinduism

SymbolsSymbolsBuddha, Bodhi Tree

NumbeNumber of r of

followefollowersrs

350 million

(6% of world’s population)

Place(s) of worship:Place(s) of worship: Temples, shrines, Temples, shrines, anywhere you can meditate anywhere you can meditate (This is the typical (This is the typical interior of a temple in Korea)interior of a temple in Korea)

Days of Days of worshipworship

There is no weekly day of observance like the Moslem Friday, Jewish Saturday or

Christian Sunday.

Meditation is a daily act of “worship”.

After-After-life life

IdeasIdeas

Buddhists maintain that rebirth takes place without an unchanging self or

soul passing from one form to another. The type of rebirth will be conditioned

by the moral tone of the person's actions (kharma).

The Cycle of BirthThe Cycle of BirthKarma plays out in the Buddhism cycle of rebirth. There are six separate planes into which any living being can be reborn -- three fortunate realms, and three unfortunate realms. Those with favorable, positive karma are reborn into one of the fortunate realms: the realm of demigods, the realm of gods, and the realm of men. While the demigods and gods enjoy gratification unknown to men, they also suffer unceasing jealousy and envy. The realm of man is considered the highest realm of rebirth. Humanity lacks some of the extravagances of the demigods and gods, but is also free from their relentless conflict. Similarly, while inhabitants of the three unfortunate realms -- of animals, ghosts and hell -- suffer untold suffering, the suffering of the realm of man is far less.

The realm of man also offers one other aspect lacking in the other five planes, an opportunity to achieve enlightenment, or Nirvana. Given the sheer number of living things, to be born human is to Buddhists a precious chance at spiritual bliss, a rarity that one should not forsake.

Holy bookHoly bookThe Tripitaka

The Tripitaka writings were originally memorized and recited orally by disciples.

They include a code of ethics and accounts of Buddha’s teachings.

Holy DayHoly DayEvery May, on the night

of the full moon, Buddhists all over the world celebrate Vesak

for the birth, enlightenment and

death of the Buddha such a long time ago.

They meditate, observe the eight-fold path,

partake in vegetarian food, give to charity and

“bathe” the Buddha.

Religious Religious LeadersLeadersThere is no central

leadership for Buddhism.

In Tibet, however, they believe that the monk, the Dalai Lama, is their spiritually reborn leader

on earth.

LinksLinkshttp://www.losangdragpa.com/losangdragpa1buddhism.html

http://chinapage.com/map/map.html

http://idp.bl.uk/education/buddhism/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/buddhism/index.htm