sm 1.16 buddhism

The Enlightened One

In 532 B.C., an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama left his family and life of luxury to find the reasons for life and death. During his search for truth, Gautama practiced the mental and physical disciplines of yoga. He tried fasting and self-sacrifice to better control his mind and body.

Gautama endured this hard life for six years. Then, one day, enlightenment came. Gautama felt that he understood the true meaning of life. He became the “Enlightened One,” or “Buddha.” And spent the rest of his life teaching the Way of Life.

The teachings of Gautama Buddha require people to know the Four Noble Truths to follow the Middle Way. These are the Four Noble Truths:

1. All human life is filled with pain and sorrow 2. Pain and sorry is caused by desire for pleasure and possessions

3. By giving up all desires, a [person may be free from pain. The soul then reaches nirvana. Nirvana means perfect peace.

4. Nirvana may be reached by following the Middle Way.

The Middle Way is to follow the Eightfold Path, eight guides to good conduct, good thoughts, and good speech. Buddha taught people to be unselfish and to deal kindly and honestly with one another. Gautama’s teachings are

S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O LMr. Stephan

Name: ______________________________ Period: ______

Do Now: Buddhism

1. According to the passage above, why was Guatama called the “Enlightened One”? _________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the steps to achieve happiness according to Buddhism: _________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS


Name: __________________________________ Period:______

1. Identify the major beliefs of Buddhism: _______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How does following the Four Noble Truths allow one to achieve nirvana? ____________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3.Describe at least one difference between Buddhism and Hinduism using textual evidence from today’s lesson. __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: __________________________________ Period:______

1. Identify the major beliefs of Buddhism: _______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How does following the Four Noble Truths allow one to achieve nirvana? ____________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3.Describe at least one difference between Buddhism and Hinduism using textual evidence from today’s lesson. __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________


sm 1.16 buddhism

Spiritual