BUDDHISM:The Middle Path

Historical Buddha

1. (560-480 BC) A rich Hindu prince lived in North India/Nepal

2. Siddhartha Gautama lived in luxury and his family hid all suffering from him

3. When he finally sees illness, old age and death, he leaves home to become an ascetic.

Historical Buddha

1. He practiced yoga and fasting and lived a very austere life

2. But this extreme did not help him reach Enlightenment, either.

3. One day he meditated under a bodhi tree.

Until he became the “Buddha” or the Awakened One

What were his teachings?

The Four Noble Truths:1. Life is suffering2. Suffering is caused by

desire3. Suffering can be ended4. End of suffering, or

Nirvana, can be reached by following the Eightfold Path . . .

Eightfold Path and precepts

1. Right Understanding

2. Right Aim

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Rig ht Concentration

Five Precepts:

1. No killing

2. No stealing

3. No sexual misconduct

4. No lying

5. No stimulants or substance abuse.

Core Beliefs- Similar to Hinduism

Karma Dharma Reincarnation

Sacred Text

The Sacred text of Buddhism is the 3 Baskets otherwise known as the Trip taka

Nirvana

Goal of all Buddhists is not reach Moksha but to reach Enlightenment

Hinduism and Buddhism

Reincarnation

Karma

Dharma - caste duties

Non-violence (ahimsa)

Goal: Moksha

Follows caste system

Polytheistic

Reincarnation

Karma

Dharma - universal laws and Buddha’s teachings

Non-violence

Goal: Nirvana

Rejects caste: believe all can be enlightened

Buddha said nothing about gods

Emperor Asoka spreads Buddhism

Tibetan Plateau

1. Tibet is a high plateau north of the Himalayas

in SW China.

2. The head of the Tibetan Buddhists is the Dalai Lama

3. He escaped when the Communist invaded.

Zen Buddhism in Japan

1. Many Japanese practiced Shinto and Buddhism

2. Zen Buddhism is a mix of Buddhism and Daoist love of nature

3. It is very disciplined and was popular with the samurai class.