1. Buddhism… The “middle way of wisdom and compassion” A 2500 years Began in India Spread throughout the Far East 300 million followers Based on the teachings of the Buddha

2. The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha – the teacher Dharma – the teachings Sangha – the community

3. Who was the Buddha? Born Prince Siddhartha Gautama Raised in a high caste Empathy for others’ suffering Rejected life of luxury to seek the solution to suffering Followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years, Rejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved Nirvana (awakening to the truth of life), became Buddha

4. What did the Buddha teach? Four Noble Truths: To live is to suffer The cause of suffering is self-centered desire & attachments The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”) The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”

5. Eight-Fold Path Wisdom: Right understanding Right motivation Moral discipline: Right speech Right action Right livelihood Mental discipline: Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation

6. How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Buddhism rejects… ancient Vedic texts The Vedic caste system The Hindu deities The concept of Brahman (God) and Atman (soul)

7. What do Buddhists believe? Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma) Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind escape from the cycle of rebirth awakening from a dream of ignorance and desire Non-theistic (no gods): Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

8. Buddhist Metaphysics Life in this world is filled with suffering Everything including self/soul in this world is impermanent Suffering is a state of mind – achieve a balanced, detatched state of mind to extinguish suffering (Nirvana)