Introduction to Buddhism

➢ 2nd Major Religion based in India

➢ Buddhism is based on the teachings of Buddha (BOO-duh)
○ Buddha means “Awakened One”
○ Buddha was a man who lived in India from about 563 to 483 B.C.E.
■ His name was Prince Siddhartha Gautama (si-DAHR-tuh GOW-tuh-
muh)
■ At the age of 29, Siddhartha left his royal life in search of spiritual
peace
■ As he traveled he learned great truths that he shared with others
(which lead to the Buddhism)
Differences between Hinduism and Buddhism
Hinduism Buddhism

➔ Complicated Rituals ➔ Based on simple teachings

➔ Belief in many gods
➔ Followed the Caste System
➔ Moksha release you from
Samsara
➔ Embraced all people regardless
of their caste
➔ Taught people how to reach
enlightenment or happiness
◆ This lead to escaping the
cycle of rebirth (Samsara)
Background on Prince Siddhartha
➔ Born in 563 B.C.E. in the northern part of India
➔ Parents: King Suddhodana and Queen Maya
➔ Queen Maya had a dream about being struck by a white elephant with six tusks
◆ The Brahmins explained this meant that she was carrying a child who
would be a great man, with two paths:
● Either as a prince who could rule the universe
● Become Buddha (enlightened)
➔ Dad tried to keep him from seeing the suffering of the people, so he wouldn’t
leave and become Buddha
➔ Married at 16, with a wedding feast that lasted 7 days
➔ Had a child at 29
➔ Was finally allowed to travel, which is when he saw the suffering of his people
The Path to Buddhism
➔ Siddhartha found a man who was ascetic (a person who gives up worldly
pleasure)
◆ He told him: “To be free of suffering, one must give up the desires,
pleasures, and comforts of the world. I find peace by helping others find
peace.”
◆ He choose to find enlightenment
● He went to the forest, changed into a simple robe, cut off his hair, and
carried only a small bowl for alms (goods or money given to the poor)
● He became ascetic and found others who wandered and denied
themselves of basic needs
○ Sleep, Shelter, breathing (for minutes at a time), fasting for
several days
The Prince Becomes Buddha
➔ Siddhartha became so thin from the extreme living that he decided there needed
to be a “middle ground” to enlightenment
➔ On his 35th birthday, he had a strong feeling that he would become enlightened
in a grove of trees.
➔ At the Bodhi (BOH-dee) tree (enlightened tree), he sat and meditated, vowing
to stay there until he reached enlightenment
➔ The god Mara tried to frighten him by sending her three daughters: Discontent
(unhappiness), Delight, and Desire to tempt him
➔ He resisted them and continued to meditate to reach nirvana (ideal state of
happiness)
➔ By morning, he had become Buddha
The Four Noble Truths
1) Suffering is present in all things, and nothing lasts
forever
2) Suffering is caused by cravings (desires and wants)
3) The way to end suffering is to give up all cravings
4) The way to give up all cravings is to live life according to
the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path
❖ A key idea of Buddhism whereby followers should live their lives according to
these eight teachings:
1) Right Understanding: Develop a deep
understanding of the noble truths.
2) Right Purpose: Live a life of selflessness
3) Right Speech: Be careful of what you say. Do not
lie or gossip.
4) Right action: Do not kill, steal, or lie. Be honest.
5) Right way to earn a living: Do not work a job that
causes harm to people or living creatures.
6) Right effort: Promote good actions and prevent
evil actions.
7) Right mindfulness: Be aware of but not attached
to your emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
8) Right concentration: Focus your mind with such
practices as meditation.
Jainism
3rd Religion founded in India

● Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way
to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and
renunciation.
● The aim of Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul.
● Concerned for the welfare of every living being in the universe and
the universe itself
● Strict vegetarians
● Eliminate all karma from the soul
● Three principals: right belief, right knowledge, right conduct
● Founded by Mahavira and his teachings called the Agamas
● Taught by monks and nuns who lead strict ascetic lives