Minority Religions in India

Lesson #8

RELIGIONS in INDIA

LESSON #8

Buddhism

Questions to ponder1. When is the first year?2. What will be the last year?3. How high is up?4. How small is small?

Do you find these questions inane? Why?

Buddhists think trying to figure out the beginning and end is just as nuts.

Basics of Buddhism

1. Everything is infinity2. Happiness is not getting something, it’s

accepting what you get3. Love is meant to give, not to receive4. Satisfaction comes from giving all you can and

all you are, accepting whatever someone wants you to have, and loving who you are for what you are.

5. And, satisfaction and acceptance IS heaven.

Basics of Buddhism

1. Question: can a Buddhist, if he’s behaving like a Buddhist… can he get bad karma?

2. Why?3. What do you think Buddhists believe happens

when you die?4. Hindus believe you can eventually release yourself

from the cycle of reincarnation (and get to heaven) by

– Erasing bad karma by doing good deeds– Doing your Dharma

• What do you think Buddhists think of heaven?

Where did all this belief originate?• Siddhartha Gautama learned this when

reflecting• He “reached enlightenment” of nirvana

– He was totally happy and satisfied– But, to get there, he had to give up everything– This was hard, because he was very, very rich

• He became “awakened” by this realization• He learned that we suffer, because we are

greedy and demanding of MORE

5m

Enlightenment

• Can you remember a time when you were most happy?

• What got you there?• What did it feel like?• Why don’t you just stay there?• Do you need someone or something be “be”

there, in this happy bliss?

5m

BUDDHISM

SPOKES = _____________________

CIRCLE = _________________________

BUDDHISM• Began in the 5th Century B.C. • SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

BUDDHISM• Began in the 5th Century B.C. • SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA• NO BEGINNING• NO END• ENDLESS REINCARNATION• BLISS (HEAVEN) IS FOUND ON EARTH• BLISS – NIRVANAH = FULL SATISFACTION IN LIFE

SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

• From Prince…

…To Ascetic

The Buddha

• Beyond the sheltered palace walls, what four things did Gautama see that troubled him?

• What did he realize, once he saw all of that?

Use text book p. 180

An old manA sick manA dead man, andA beggar

Life was full of suffering

The Buddha’ teachings

• What are the Four Noble Truths?

Use text book p. 180

Suffering is universal The cause of suffering is desireThe only way to crush suffering is to crush desireThe way to truth is the noble eightfold path (a guide to right conduct)

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

SKINNY BUDDHA

FAT BUDDHA

The Spread of Buddhism

• Name eight places Buddhism spread to, using the map on p. 181

Other Religions

JAINISM

ReincarnationAhimsa(non-violent)No meat

Sikhism

• Equality• Karma • Reincarnation• Loyalty• Singh & Khalsa

Guru Nanuk

3m

SIKHISM

• Monotheistic, but belief in reincarnation• Life’s Goal = Break free of the cycle of life and attain

unity with God

• Turbans symbolize social equality

• Don’t cut their hair orbeards to honor the human form as createdby God

Ba’haiTotally peaceful

(this is the Lotus Temple)