BUDDHISM

1. BUDDHISM SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA & THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

2. The Challenges of Hinduism By 500 B.C., the Indo-Aryans had developed values and traditions that solidified into the religion of Hinduism Yet, Hinduism left its followers wedded to the caste system and with little if any guidance as to how to break the cycle of samsara in order to achieve moksha Prince Siddhartha Gautama (c. 560-480 B.C.) would offer an alternative path to moksha (nirvana) that became known as the religion of Buddhism Why did Siddhartha choose to abandon his role as a future warrior-prince in favor of becoming the Buddha?

3. Siddhartha’s Quest for Enlightenment • According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha was born to a royal Aryan family in what is now Nepal • His father sought to shelter him from the real world of pain, suffering, and death so as to ensure that his son would succeed him as a great warrior-prince • Siddhartha’s discovery of suffering convinced him to pursue an answer that would help others escape the endless cycle of reincarnation • His personal spiritual journey resulted in achieving enlightenment and becoming known as the Buddha (“the enlightened one”)

4. The Path to Nirvana The Buddha preached sermons that introduced major concepts that would serve as a guide to personal enlightenment The Four Noble Truths: 1. life is suffering 2. the cause of suffering is selfish desire 3. ending desire will end suffering 4. following the Eightfold Path (the Middle Way) will result in ending desire and attaining enlightenment Enlightenment would set one on the path to achieving nirvana and a return of the individual soul to the great Oneness

5. Buddhism vs. Hinduism How did the beliefs of Buddhism challenge Hindu traditions? * view of the gods * the caste system * concepts of dharma * guides to Enlightenment, including: potential Buddhas (bodhisattvas) religious orders (sanghas) sacred literature (sutras)

6. The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha “the Enlightened One” Dharma “the teachings of the faith” Sangha “the community of believers”

7. The Expansion of Buddhism • Buddhist missionaries helped to spread the teachings of the Buddha throughout northeastern India • By 200 B.C., Buddhist merchants and missionaries spread the faith via trade routes to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia • Buddhist monasteries along the Silk Road routes of Central Asia encouraged the further spread of Buddhism into China and East Asia • While Buddhism did not take hold in northeastern India, the area remains an important place for Buddhist pilgrimages The Great Stupa at Sanchi in northern India (pictured below)

8. The Flowering & Decline of Buddhism in India Sculpture of King Asoka of India, ruled 269-232 B.C. • In 269 B.C., Asoka became emperor of the Mauryan Empire, which had been forged through war by his grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya • After a bloody war against the state of Kalinga, Asoka renounced his warrior ways and converted to Buddhism • His policies promoted religious tolerance, peace, and nonviolence; he focused on promoting the well-being of his people • Why did Buddhism not take hold in India, even after Asoka’s reign? Carved lions atop one of Asoka’s pillars The last complete pillar inscribed with Asoka’s edicts

9. Buddhism Spreads & Divides By 100 B.C., Buddhism had divided into two major branches: Mahayana – accepts bodhisattvas as spiritual guides; venerates the Buddha and other figures; dominant in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam Theravada – retains traditional view of Buddhism that each individual must achieve enlightenment; dominant in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka Shwedagon Pagoda Temple in Myanmar (Burma) (pictured left)

10. Buddhist Art & Architecture What do each of the artifacts below reveal about Buddhism’s influence in Asian culture?