1. Chapter 6 Section 3 Origins of Buddhism

2. Siddhartha Gautama’s Search for Wisdom
In the late 500’s BC, a restless young man, dissatisfied with the teachings of Hinduism, began to ask questions about life and religious matters. In time, he found answers. These answers attracted many followers, and his ideas became the foundation of a major religion in India.

3. Siddhartha was born 563 BC in northern India near the Himalayas
Siddhartha was born 563 BC in northern India near the Himalayas. He was a prince who grew up surrounded in luxury.
When he left his sheltered palace for the first time as a young man, he saw human suffering all around him.
Before the age of 30, he left his home and family to search for the meaning of human life.
Siddhartha sees
death for the
1st time

4. The Buddha Finds Enlightenment
Siddhartha wandered for many years searching for answers. He wanted to free his mind from daily concerns. For a while he didn’t wash himself. He also started fasting. He devoted much of his time to meditation.
He spent six years wandering throughout India. He eventually came to a place near the town of Gaya, near the Ganges River. There he sat under a tree and meditated for seven weeks.
The Buddha Finds Enlightenment

5. Wanting what we like but do not have.
He realized that human suffering comes from three things:
Wanting what we like but do not have.
Wanting to keep what we like and already have.
Not wanting what we dislike but have.
Siddhartha spent seven more weeks meditating under the “Tree of Wisdom”. He was about 35 years old when he found “enlightenment”.
He then would be called Buddha, or the “Enlightened One”.
He spent the rest of his life traveling across India teaching people his ideas. He was around 80 years old when he died.
Mahabodhi Tree
where Siddhartha
found
enlightenment

6. What is Buddhism?
Buddha was raised a Hindu so many of his teachings reflect Hindu ideas. He believed that people should act morally and treat each others well.
*At the heart of the Buddha’s teachings are four guiding principals, “The Four Noble Truths”.*

7. The Four Noble Truths

8. To free your soul from suffering and achieve Nirvana you will need to follow the “Eightfold Path”. Buddha believed that this path is the “middle way” between wanting everything and doing completely without… everything in moderation.

9. What is Nirvana? (look in your book)
Write two paragraphs
describing what
you think this
picture means in
relationship to
the teachings of
Buddha.
An artist’s
interpretation of
Nirvana
To reach
Nirvana you
must free your
soul from
suffering. If
you do this
you will be
free from
further
reincarnation.
Hint:
Follow the
path from the
bottom, right
corner.
Notice the
change
in color of the
elephant, the
size of the fire,
and
the diminishing
black creature.

10. What does “the Middle Way” mean??
Important
Concept!!!
Buddha believed that people should overcome their desire for material goods. However, they should be reasonable.
Example: Girls… you would keep some of your dresses but give some of them away.
Boys… you would keep some of your XBOX games but give some of them away.

11. True or False????? *Buddha says, “Contentment comes from gaining what you want.”*

12. Buddha was opposed to the caste system.
Because of this belief, many people in the lower classes supported Buddha’s teachings.
Important
Concept!!!

13. Spread of Buddhism *What are missionaries?* (book)
Missionary
Priest in
Early
Americas
Buddhist
monk
and
missionary,
Dali
Lama
Missionary In
India
Mother
Teresa,
nun and
missionary

14. The Spread of Buddhism

15. Summary
Buddhism, one of India’s major religions, grew more popular once it was adopted by rulers of India’s great empires.
On a small
piece of
paper,
describe
this picture
with one
word.
Collect and
read
to class.