BUDDISM Founder of Buddhism (6 B.C.E) is Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) which means enlightened one.

Was born a Hindu in a ruling family of a small kingdom in NE India (Nepal). He saw 4 sights: an old man, a very sick man, a corpse, and a wandering holy man without possessions. The middle way is how the Buddha described his path to enlightenment. GOLDEN RULE: DO NO HARM Bodh Gaya: the city where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Benares: the city where the Buddha preached his first sermon. (Sarnath: the site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon) Lumbini Gardens: the birthplace of Siddhartha. Kushinara: The traditional place of the death of the Buddha. The Wheel of life is the symbol of Buddhism, representing the Noble Eightfold Path. Christianity > Islam > Hinduism > Buddhism (360 millions, 6% of world population). King Asoka devoted himself and his resources to the spread of Buddhism. Main religion of Hawaii State. Asceticism of Buddha: Left his luxury life, wife and children. Discovered the soul of surffering. Practiced extreme asceticism (6 -7 years). Not leave the fig tree until enlightened. Went to the deep state of meditation and then he attained enlightened. 1st: He saw his previous life. 2nd Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Recognized the law of karma. 3rd: 4 holy truth (4 noble truth) revealed to him: + suffering is universal + Cause of suffering is desire (tanha) + suffering thesis and desire thesis ( suffering ceases when desire ceases) + Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path (Right understanding, thought, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, meditation) ( understanding the thought of speech which conducts the livelihood effort and the mindfulness of meditation). Nirvana: The release from suffering and rebirth that brings inner peace. Buddhist groups: 1. Mahayana: (Inclusive way, everyone is welcome. Enlightenment is opened to everyone, wider range of idea, flexible) - Bodhisattva: One who refuses to enter nirvana but is constantly reborn to help others. - Lotus Sutra: Additional scripture that contains the final teaching of Buddha. - See Buddha as a divine being. - Nirvana is just accessible for everyone.

2. Theravada: (Exclusive way, the tradition of the elders, also called Hinayana Buddhists, conservative, less open to new idea) - See Buddha as a regular/extraordinary man. - Nirvana is only accessible for monks. - Enlightening by your own effort without the aid of somebody else. - Arhat: One who has practiced monastic disciplines and reached nirvana. 3. Pure Land: (China, Japan) Branch of Mahayana Buddhism. - Devotion is directed to the Buddha named Amitabha. - Monks repeat mantra. - Pure land is not a destination, Its just like a waiting place, is also known as the Western Paradise. - Its not practical for this age (present day) to reach Nirvana. Devotion to reach to Nirvana. 4. Vajrayana: (Found mainly in Nepal, Tibet, China, and Japan) - Magical, spell to achieve nirvana. - Dalai Lama (Ocean of Wisdom): The Tibets exiled spiritual and political leader of Vajrayana Buddhism now living in India. 1950, China invaded Tibet. 1959, he fled from Tibet to India. 5. Zen: (Found mainly in China, Japan, and North America) - Meditation, mental exercise called Koan. - Koan: A riddle-like statement that a Zen master presents to a student to solve in Zen Buddhism. - Satori: A spiritual awakening sought in Zen Buddhism, often coming suddenly (inside). - Put beyond the interlectual to reach the point to achieve enlightenment. Anatman: The doctrine that there is no soul or permanent essence in people or things. Hedonism: The doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief purpose in life. Egalitarianism: The belief in human equality. Tripitaka: (Memorized then written down and put in 3 baskets)The three baskets, or collections, of Buddhist scriptures. (used by both Mahayana and Theravada) 1. Vinaya Pitaka: Deals with codes of conduct for monks and nuns. 2. Sutta Pitaka (Also spelled Sutra): + Contains sermons and lectures from Buddha and his disciples. 3. Abhidhamma Pitaka: Consists of writings on the nature of the mind and matter. Five impermanent body-mind complexes: Physical body, feelings, understanding, will, consciousness. The 3 jewels or refuges: I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Dharma, I go for refuge to the Sangha. The 5 percepts: Do not destroy life, Do not steal, Do not commit sexual misconduct, Do not lie, Do not take intoxicants. The 3 poisons: Greed, hatred, and ignorant.

Buddhism VS Hinduism: - Agreement: Doctrines of Karma and Reincarnation. - Disagreement: The caste system, worshiping gods, and the Vedas. Monasteries: Studying, meditation, and chanting. Temple: Monks perform religious rituals, sermons, and Buddhist teaching. Include image of Buddha, or other Buddhists. Relics: Remains of a saint, including body parts and/or personal items. Stupas: A simple, dome-shaped monument used to house Buddhist relics. Pagodas: A larger stupas that is more elaborately decorated than stupas. Festivals: + Vesak: Commemorates the Buddhas birth and enlightenment. + Sangha: honors the Sangha community of monks and nuns.