Social Studies for 8th EGBTeacher: Mauricio Torres

Teachings of

Buddhism

As he traveled, Buddha gained many followers, mostly among middle class Indians. The were the first believers in Buddhism, a religion based on the teachings of Buddha.

We have already learned that Siddharta Gautama, was a young man who sought out for answers as to why people suffer. He embarked on a journey of self discovery and after meditation and fasting, he finally arrived to some conclusions.

His ideas, are the basis for one of the world’s most followed “religions”.

Buddhism: beginnings

Core

Bel

iefs

“Let man overcome anger by love”The Buddha had been raised Hindu, and most of his teachings are based on Hinduism. He believed people should act morally and treat others well.

At the heart of Buddha’s teachings were four guiding principles:

The Four Noble Truths

The

Four

Nob

le T

ruth

s1. Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life, no

one can escape sorrow.Suffering is inevitable, so its worthless to worry about our mis-happenings

2. Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods.

People cause their own misery because they want things they cannot have.

3. People can overcome desire and ignorance.By doing this, they reach nirvana (a state of perfect peace), freeing the soul from suffering and from need of further reincarnation.

4. People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an Eightfold Path.

This path will lead to wisdom, enlightenment and salvation.

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tfold

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The Buddha believed that this path was a middle way between human desires and denying oneself any pleasures. He believed people should overcome their desire for material goods. They should however be reasonable and not starve their bodies or cause any unnecessary pain.

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1. Right thought• Believe in the nature of existence as suffering and the Four Noble

truths.2. Right intent

• Incline towards good and kindness3. Right speech

• Avoid lies and gossip4. Right action

• Don’t steal or harm others5. Right livelihood

• Reject work that hurts others6. Right effort

• Prevent evil and do good7. Right mindfulness

• Control your feelings and thoughts8. Right concentration

• Practice proper meditation

Did Buddha’s teachings challenge Hindu ideas or did they support them?

It did both!

He taught that people who failed to reach nirvana were the ones who’d fail to reincarnate, and would do so until they achieved it.

The Buddha was opposed to the caste system. He believed no one should be confined to a certain place or role in society, and rather those who followed the Eightfold path properly would reach nirvana.

Buddha’s teaching challenged traditional Hindu teachings, because he rejected many ideas in the Vedas such as animal sacrifice. He told his followers they should not follow these texts!

He believed Brahmins or their rituals were necessary for their enlightenment, but rather each individual’s own responsibility.

Hindu ideas challenged by Buddhism

Support from the Masses

• His opposition to the caste system won him a vast support from the masses.

• Many sudras and untouchables liked hearing that their low social rank would not be a barrier to enlightenment.– Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism made them feel that

they had the power to change their lives!

• Identify: • Who was Siddharta Gautama?• Many of the Buddha’s teachings reflect

the ideas of which other world religion?• Describe:

• What did Siddharta endure before reaching enlightenment?

• Recall:• What are the Four Noble truths?

• Evaluate:• What advantage do you think the

Buddha saw in following the “middle way”?

• How do you think people reacted to the Buddha’s telling them they did not have to accept the Brahmin’s authority?

Ask Yourself“Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”.

- Buddha