1. Desmond Boyle Jeffrey Chin
BUDDHISM
Desmond Boyle
Jeffrey Chin

2. Founder
Siddhartha Gautama (Gautama Buddha) was the founder of Buddhism and was born in present day Nepal. Siddhartha was born in a royal Hindu family and would have had several roles as a Prince in his community. He eventually moved to India to have a more meaningful role in people’s personal lives.

3. Historical Context of founding
After forty-nine days of meditation Gautama Buddha was awakened, otherwise known as reaching enlightenment. After reaching enlightenment, under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya India, he promised to spread the knowledge he just learned about how to end suffering.

4. Symbols
The eight-spoked wheel symbolizes the Buddha’s turning of the Wheel of Truth or Law. There are eight spokes to reference the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism, which is the path Buddhists believe can end suffering in their lives. This path involves becoming more wise, righteous, and thoughtful in life.

5. Symbols
The Bodhi Tree symbolizes the reaching of enlightenment, because under this tree Siddhartha Gautama reached enlightenment for the first time. Reaching enlightenment is one of the greatest single achievements a Buddhist can reach.

6. symbols
The throne refers to Siddhartha Gautama’s royal ancestry. The throne also presents the idea that enlightenment is the pinnacle of the spirtual world. The lion is a symbol for power, integrity, and strength in the Buddhism religion.

7. Deity's name
Buddhists, for the most part, argue strongly against the principle of an all powerful deity. Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism and is considered the leader of the Buddhists, but he was never considered to be omnipotent.

8. Location of origin
Buddhism was founded in the subcontinent of India. The specific region of the first teachings of Buddhism was in a village in Northern India called Sarnath.

9. Major locations today
Buddhism is popular in several nations all throughout southern Asia. Buddhism is most commonly practiced in India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, North and South Korea, China, and Japan.

10. Number of followers
There are around 376,000,000 Buddhist followers world-wide today. This is the most amount of followers Buddhism has ever had.

11. Holy Book/Important Texts
Buddhists simply did not write down their sacred principles like many other religions. Buddhists were taught the Noble Eightfold Path and the Noble Four Truths which were used to help reach enlightenment and end suffering.

12. Major Beliefs: Creation Story
Major beliefs are influenced by Hinduism
Eternal life cycle of reincarnation
However, beginning of life does not concern the Buddha
The Buddha says that the matter does not affect the “fundamentals of religion”
“There still remains birth, old age, death, sorrow, lamentation, misery, grief, and despair.”
Malunkyaputta The Buddha

13. Major Beliefs: End Times Story
All events in life is a consequence of actions done in the past life (Karma)
Cycle of Rebirth is escaped only by achieving Nirvana
Nirvana: unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, unformed – achieved by ultimate purity of life
Death leads to rebirth into a new life
Siddha-Shila – where liberated souls reside (Hinduism, representative of Buddhist Nirvana)

14. Major Beliefs: Commands & Laws
The Four Noble Truths
All life is marked by suffering
Suffering is caused by desire and attachment
Suffering can be stopped
The way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path

15. Major Beliefs: Commands & Laws
The Noble Eightfold Path
Right knowledge
Right intention
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right concentration

16. Major Beliefs: Purpose of Life
To End Suffering
Follow the Noble Eightfold Path
This Path leads to better Karma and a life purity
A pure and enlightened soul can ultimately achieve Nirvana