Origins of Buddhism in India The Founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama – He was born

an upper caste Hindu Prince who wanted to find an answer to the question: Why do people suffer? He believed that understanding this question would lead to “enlightenment.”

Origins of Buddhism in India

Through meditation, Siddhartha reached enlightenment, or wisdom

He theorized that suffering in life was caused by attachment (selfish desires)

Origins of Buddhism in India

These ideas were part of the “Four Noble Truths”

When Siddhartha reached enlightenment, he came to the following conclusion:

1. Life is suffering2. Suffering is caused by

selfish desire (attachment)

3. Attachment can be overcome

4. There is a path for achieving this.These ideas are called

“The Four Noble Truths”

Origins of Buddhism in India

A person can overcome selfish desires by following the Eightfold path which were Siddhartha’s rules for living.

The symbol of Buddhism

Origins of Buddhism in India By understanding the Four Noble

Truths, and following the Eightfold path, one could reach an ultimate state of enlightenment called Nirvana, which is a release from the cycle of reincarnation, similar to the Hindu idea of Moksha

NO……. #1

#2

No…. #3

#4

Aspire to free yourself from… #5

#6

#7

Overcome…. #8

Hinduism Buddhism

Place of Origin

India (South Asia)

Founder No Single Founder (result of cultural diffusion)

Caste System

supported by Hindu ideas of karma, and samsara

Ahimsa believe in non-violence unless a warrior

Karma the collection of good and bad deeds

Siddhartha Gautama

India (South Asia)

reject the caste system – promotes desire

extreme devotion to non-violence – pacifists (don’t fight

in wars)The collection of good and

bad deeds

Hinduism Buddhism

Dharma your caste duties

Samsara Belief in reincarnation (live through several lifetimes)

Goal To achieve Moksha (release from reincarnation)

Holy Books

Vedas, Upanishad, Ramayana, Bagavad Gita

God/Gods Polytheistic (sort of)

duty to understanding the Four Noble Truths

Belief in reincarnation

Goal is to achieve Nirvana (release from reincarnation)

Varies by region/sect

Atheistic but some sects worship Siddhartha as a god

Buddhism in India Today

Other Buddhism Facts• Buddhism spread to China and Japan

Other Buddhism Facts It is a very peaceful religion which

doesn’t believe in violence (devotion to ahimsa)

Other Buddhism Facts

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of the people of Tibet. The Dalai Lama is believed to be the current incarnation of a long line of Buddhist masters who have been released from the cycle of death and rebirth and have chosen on their own free will to return to earth to teach humanity.

Meet the Dalai Lama