Buddhism

Founder

• Siddhartha Gautama• Born into the

Brahmin caste• Led a life of luxury

but was upset by suffering he saw around him

Life of Siddhartha

• Born into luxury

• Upset by suffering around him

• Leaves and becomes an ascetic

• Finds the Middle Way

• Finds enlightenment sitting under the bodhi tree

Geographic Origin

• Developed in India

• Currently most common in Southeast Asia and Japan

Places of Worship

• Buddhism is usually practiced individually

• Temples and monasteries

Significant Writings

• Tripitaka- Buddhist scriptures

• Sutras

Religious People

• The Dalai Lama is the 14th incarnation of the bodhisattva, Buddha to be

• He has reached enlightenment but chooses to return to samsara to help others

• Buddhist monks

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4 Noble Truths• Life is full of pain and

suffering• Human desire causes

this suffering• By putting an end to

desire, humans can end suffering

• Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path

Goal

• Nirvana is the goal of Buddhism

• End suffering, achieve nirvana and escape the endless cycle of death and rebirth

Eightfold Path

• Know that suffering is caused by desire• Be selfless and love all• Do not lie, or speak without cause• Do not kill, steal, or commit other unrighteous acts• Do not do things which promote evil• Take effort to promote righteousness• Be aware of your physical actions, state of mind,

and emotions• Learn to meditate

Wheel of Life

• The wheel of life represents endless cycle of life through reincarnation

• Each spoke represents one of the teachings of the Eightfold Path

• YouTube - construction and destruction of a mandala

• YouTube - Seven Years in Tibet - Part 9