12.4 Buddhism

1. 12.4 Buddhism

2. The Life of the Buddha • Buddhism began in India • Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha • His followers are called Buddhists • We know very little about Siddhartha’s life except from Buddhists texts • These texts include his teachings and stories about his life • These stories also include many legends

3. The Life of the Buddha • A Pampered Youth • Born in the 400s BC in Nepal • Siddhartha was a prince • His mother had a dream that was said to mean he would become a holy man • His father wanted Siddhartha to be a ruler • He kept Sid sheltered from anything negative

4. The Life of the Buddha • A Pampered Life • Eventually Sid made outside of the palace without his guards and saw real life • An old man • A diseased man • A dead man • Sid knew that he too would become old and die • When he sees a holy man who is content even though he didn’t own anything Sid wants to find that same inner peace

5. The Life of the Buddha • A Search for Truth • He cut his hair and put on simple clothes • He listened to gurus • He joined a band of ascetics who denied themselves comfort to seek spiritual truth • After years of fasting and scratchy clothes he realized it was not his path to truth

6. The Life of the Buddha • Finding Enlightenment • One day he began to meditate under a fig tree (Bodhi Tree - or tree of Knowledge) • His meditation lasted for 49 days • He became truly aware and reached enlightenment or perfect wisdom • This is when he becomes the Buddha – the Enlightened One • He was free from the world of suffering, but came back to teach people about what he learned • He traveled and taught for 45 years • He trained some of followers to be teachers and religious leaders

7. Buddhist Beliefs • Buddhists believe that the Buddha saw • why people suffer • and how people can escape the cycle of death and rebirth • The Buddha believed in Karma and its consequences • He did not believe in the permanent soul • Or the caste system • He believed a person’s actions were more important than the caste • He believed in following The Middle Way

8. Buddhist Beliefs • The Middle Way • The Buddha had lived in luxury • He had lived poor • Neither helped him reach enlightenment • He taught that people should follow a Middle Way • This includes accepting the Four Noble Truths

9. Buddhist Beliefs • The Four Noble Truths • All life involves suffering • Suffering is caused by selfish desires • The way to end suffering is to overcome selfish desires • The way to overcome selfish desires is to follow the Eight Fold Path • The Buddha thought that anyone from any caste could follow the Eight Fold Path

10. Buddhist Beliefs • The Eight Fold Path • 3 Parts • Preparing one’s mind • Taking charge of one’s behavior • Helping one reach enlightenment

11. Buddhist Beliefs • Reaching Nirvana • This is the goal of the Eight Fold Path • This is the state of peace with out desire or suffering • A person in this state will no longer be reincarnated

12. The Spread of Buddhism • For hundreds of years Buddha’s followers memorized his teachings • Eventually they wrote them down • These teachings are the Buddhist sacred scriptures • Different groups of Buddhists accept different groups of scripture

13. The Spread of Buddhism • Monasteries and Missionaries • Buddha’s followers stayed with him when he traveled and preached • During the rainy season the Buddha found places to stay • These became monasteries • They studied and meditated here • Buddha encouraged his followers to spread his teachings • The missionaries carried the Buddha’s teaching all over the world

14. The Spread of Buddhism • Two Schools • The sects or branches see Buddha’s teachings differently • Theravada Buddhism • Focuses on his wisdom • Believe his greatest achievement is his enlightenment • Mahayana Buddhism • Focusses on his compassion • Believe his greatness is in his returning from Nirvana to share his wisdom with the world

15. The Spread of Buddhism • The Legacy of Buddhism • About 400 million Buddhists, most in Asia • 2 million Buddhists live in the US • Buddhism has inspired art and architecture