1. The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, & The Five Precepts
Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths,
The Eightfold Path,
&
The Five Precepts

2. Who is Buddha? Siddhartha Gautama
Wanted to know why there was suffering & how to stop that suffering
Meditated and traveled to find the answer
Took 6 years!
Became enlightened
Spent the rest of his life spreading his message
Became known as Buddha

3. Why was Buddhism appealing?
Hindus dissatisfied
Wanted a way to escape the cycle of reincarnation
Wanted to find Nirvana, or enlightenment
Felt that not everyone in society was doing their jobs for the common good
Buddha’s teaching gave them hope

4. The Middle Way
Buddha taught that the way to spiritual enlightenment was to follow The Middle Way
Promoted BALANCE!!!!
Avoid extremes in life
Wanting it all
Giving it all up
To follow The Middle Way, one needs to understand the Four Noble Truths

5. Four Noble Truths Life is full of suffering
Suffering comes from desire/wanting
Suffering stops when desire/wanting stops
In order to stop those desires/wants, follow the Eightfold Path

6. Eightfold Path Right Understanding Right Aims
Know & understand the Four Noble Truths
Right Aims
Give up worldly things
Love & help others
Do not cheat
Wisdom

7. Eightfold Path Right Speech Right Action Tell the truth Do not gossip
Listen & communicate with others
Right Action
NEVER steal, kill, or be jealous
Do good for others’ gain, not your own reward

8. Eightfold Path Right Livelihood/Proper Work
Do work that does not cause harm
Morality

9. Eightfold Path Right Thinking/Right Effort
Focus on positive thoughts
Get rid of the negative
Right Awareness/Right Mindfulness
Mind should control the body
Know when to say no to what your body wants

10. Eightfold Path Meditation Train your mind to concentrate Think deeply
Find peace within yourself
Meditation

11. Five Precepts
The Eightfold Path helps Buddhists to follow the Five Precepts (moral code)
Do not take the life of anything living
Do not take anything not freely given
Abstain from sensual overindulgence
Refrain from untrue speech
Avoid intoxication