More on Buddhism

1. Miss Tomkowski Miss Barry 7th Grade World History More on Buddhism

2. Review • Who started Buddhism? • What should people follow if they do not wish to be reborn into more reincarnated lives? • Where was Buddha when he reached Enlightenment?

3. A Split in Buddhism • As more and more people began to follow the religion, they had some disagreements about Buddha’s teachings. • This caused the people to split into 2 groups. • Theravada Buddhists • Mahayana Buddhists

4. Theravada Buddhists • “Teachings of the elders” • See Buddha as a great teacher, not a god. • Buddhist teachers and merchants spread the ideas of Theravada to in the south and the east of Asia. • It was even spread to the island of Ceylon (today Sri Lanka) • Also popular in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos

5. Theravada Buddhists

6. Mahayana Buddhists • Believe Buddha is a god who came to save the people. • Believe following the Eightfold Path is too hard for most people- instead, they worship Buddha (this will lead them to heaven when they die). • Once in heaven, they can follow the Eightfold Path and reach nirvana. • What is nirvana?? (yesterday)

7. Mahayana Buddhists • Bodhisattvas- enlightened people who postpone going to heaven • Important to many Buddhists • Decided to stay here on Earth to help others and do good deeds.

8. Mahayana Buddhists • This form of Buddhism spread north into China, and from there to Korea and Japan. • A special kind of Mahayana Buddhism developed in Tibet (a country in central Asia) • Combination of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Tibet’s traditional religion.

9. I thought Lamas were animals… • In Tibet, the Buddhists leaders are called lamas • Also lead the government • What are some of the types of governments we talked about so far this year? • Theocracy- government led by religious leaders • Dalai Lama- lama who leads the government. • Current Dalai Lama- Tenzin Gyatso (14th Dalai Lama) • Panchen Lama- lama who led the religion • Both are considered reincarnations of Bodhisattvas.

10. Dalai Lama “The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.” - Dalai Lama • Reincarnation of Bodhisattva of Compassion

11. Mahayana Buddhists

12. Zen Buddhism • A smaller form of Buddhism, Zen began in China and spread to Japan around the 1300’s. • Zen means “meditation,” and Zen Buddhists try and meditate as much as possible. • Use painting, martial arts, and specially designed gardens to help them focus • Puzzles called koans • Challenge patterns of logical thought • What is the sound of hands clapping?

13. Sacred Writings • At first, Buddha’s teachings were passed on by word of mouth. • About 300 years after his death, people began to write them down on palm leaves. Early Buddhist texts (around 100B.C.)

14. Buddhist Rituals • Like Hinduism, rituals can be performed in the shrine or at home. • Burn candles/incense and have flowers in front of a statue of Buddha • Mantras- repeated short prayers • Often written on flags (mostly in Tibet and Nepal) • Prayers are thought to be blown all over the earth

15. Buddhist Monks • During the time of Buddha, many of his followers also lived like hermits (just like Buddha). • Eventually began living in monasteries • Place where monks live practicing their religion together • Children are given as religious offerings from their parents to serve Buddhism.

16. Buddhist Monks

17. Buddhism Today • Buddhism is the 4th largest religion in the world today. • It is practiced in China, Japan, India, Korea, and much of southeast Asia. • Thailand has the highest percent of Buddhism with 95% of its citizens practicing this faith.