1. A presentation by: Mr. Tsolomitis

2.  What is Buddhism/ the Buddha?

3.   Buddhism is a religion of ancient India, created by Siddhartha Gautama  The Buddha is the title given to Siddhartha Gautama and it means “Awakened One.” Simply put…

5.   Around 563 B.C.E. in northern India, near the Himalaya Mountains, to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya.  According to legend, before Siddhartha was born, his mother had a strange dream.  When she asked the Brahmins to explain the dream, they interpreted it as showing a split path  He could be a great king and rule the universe OR, if he left royal life and saw the suffering of the world, he would become the Buddha. Prince Siddhartha’s Birth

6.   Wild, fantastical tales about when he was born, like…  After his birth, a soft, warm rain of heavenly flowers fell on the baby and his mother  The infant prince already looked a few years old, could walk and speak.  Apparently his first words were, “I am the leader of the world and the guide to the world.”

7.   Turn to your neighbors and quietly discuss. What do you think his parents did?

8.   His father, the King, wanted his son to be a great and powerful ruler.  In order to keep his son from seeing the world’s suffering, he raised Siddhartha in a world of perfect health and beauty.  Always felt curious about the outside world, but was content with his easy life for quite a while.  When he was 16, he married a beautiful noblewoman and they lived happily… well, not ever after.  12 years in perfect peace  When Siddhartha turned 29, they had a son. The Prince’s Royal Life

9.   After Siddhartha became a father, the King gave him more freedom and so Siddhartha began traveling outside the palace walls.  It was at this time that Siddhartha discovered three forms of suffering… and it deeply troubled him. The Prince Discovers Something…

10.  What suffering do you think Siddhartha witnessed?

11.  The First Type of Suffering  The prince and his driver saw a thin man who walked with the aid of a stick.  Siddhartha, never having seen the effects of aging, asked why the man looked so terrible.  His driver replied that everyone’s body weakens as it ages.

12.  The Second Type of Suffering  On the second trip, the prince and his driver saw a man crying out in pain.  The driver informed Siddhartha about pain and sickness.  REAL pain, not like this. Not a cry for attention. ACTUAL PHYSICAL PAIN.

13.  The Third Type of Suffering  On the third trip, they saw a group of people walking down the road, carrying a body wrapped in white cloth.  The driver informed Siddhartha that, “Death came for that man. One day it will come for you, too.”

14.   Unable to sit in his palace with the thoughts of aging, sickness and death, Siddhartha went out a fourth time.  This time, however, he met a man who glowed with inner peace and calm. The man was an ascetic.  An ascetic is a person who gives up worldly possessions and pleasures like fine clothes, money, and even shelter.  Siddhartha asked him how he could be at peace while surrounded by so much suffering.  The ascetic replied, “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.” The Prince Meets an Ascetic

15.   Royal life seemed empty now and he wanted to find the happiness and peace the ascetic had found.  Decided to give up his old life and find enlightenment (finding deep truth and being free of suffering).  One night, he fled the palace with his faithful driver. He removed his fancy clothes and cut his hair off.  He kept only a simple robe and a small bowl for alms (goods given to the poor). The Prince Becomes an Ascetic

16.  (continued)  Met many other ascetics who wanted to understand the nature of the world.  Frequent meditation was said to be the path towards enlightenment.  Another path was through self- denial and denying their body many of its basic needs, like food, sleep, shelter.  Siddhartha continued until he was dangerously thin and was unhappy with these practices.

17.   Siddhartha learned that giving up bodily pleasures did not bring enlightenment, but neither would self-indulgence.  Instead, he sought a “middle way” as the path to enlightenment.  On his 35 th birthday, Siddhartha bathed and rested by a river. When he awoke, he had a strong feeling that he was close to enlightenment.  He met a “grass cutter” who gave him eight handfuls of soft grass to use as a pad to sit upon.  Walked until he reached a tree that would be known later as the Bodhi Tree (Tree of Enlightenment).  He sat on those handfuls of grass and began meditating and vowed he would not stop until he reached enlightenment. The Prince Becomes the Buddha

18.   A wicked deity, Mara, tried to frighten him, but Siddhartha was not swayed.  Mara then tried to tempt Siddhartha with his three daughters; Discontent, Delight and Desire.  Again, Siddhartha resisted.  Trying to reach nirvana, an ideal state of happiness and peace.  Saw his past lives and the great cycle of rebirth, as well as the importance of karma.  Eventually he saw how to gain freedom from the endless cycle and so end all suffering.  By morning, he had become the Buddha and set out to spread the word on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. While meditating…

19.   Behind the Four Noble Truths is the idea that everything changes: even when one finds pleasure, it does not last forever, and one suffers when it is lost.  To end suffering, people should follow the Buddha’s “Middle Way,” also known as the Eightfold Path.  The Buddha spent the rest his life teaching others about the path he had found.  In time, his followers would spread his teachings throughout India, China, and other parts of Asia. They would even eventually reach Japan! The Buddha’s Teachings

20.   Suffering is present in all things, and nothing lasts forever.  Suffering is caused by cravings (our desires and wants, but not our needs).  The way to end suffering is to give up all cravings.  The way to give up all cravings is to live life according to the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths

21.   Right…  Understanding  Purpose  Speech  Action  Way to earn a living  Effort  Mindfulness  Concentration The Eightfold Path

22.  Develop a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths. Right Understanding

23.  Live a life of selflessness, love and nonviolence Right Purpose

24.   Be careful and truthful in what you say.  Do not lie or gossip. Right Speech

25.  Do not kill, steal or lie. Right Action

26.  Do not work at a job that causes harm to people or living creatures. Right way to earn a living

27.  Promote good actions and prevent evil actions. Right Effort

28.  Be aware of, but not attached to, your emotions, thoughts and feelings. Right Mindfulness

29.  Focus your mind with practices such as meditation. Right concentration