An Overview of the Major Religion of the East Buddhism An Overview of the Major Religion of the East
Buddhism Comes from the word “budhi” which means “to awaken.” Religion of more than 400 million people around the world. Is more than a religion – it is also a way of life or philosophy of living.
Siddhartha Gautama Lived 2,500 years ago in Nepal. Royal Hindu prince who gave up the luxuries of the palace to find the true meaning of life after he observed the suffering in his father’s kingdom.
Enlightenment After many years of searching, Siddhartha meditated under a Bodhi tree for 49 days and 49 nights. He gained enlightenment when he realized that people where unhappy because they were never content with what they had and always wanted more.
Buddha (the enlightened one) traveled throughout India to teach people how to end suffering and be free from greed. He died at age 80, and entered nirvana – a state of perfect bliss and happiness. Dharma (teaching)
Buddhism Today 400 million people are practicing Buddhists. Majority live in Asia, but Buddhism has spread to every other continent as well. Buddhism follows 3 schools of thought or teachings: Theravada (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos) Mahayana (Nepal, China, Japan, Vietnam& Korea) Tantric (Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia)
The Middle Path Buddha taught a “middle path” existed between the extremes of luxury and hardship. His teachings were a guide to help people lead better lives. Each person is responsible for gaining their own enlightenment through: Meditation Wisdom Self-control Helping others
Wheel of Life
The Four Noble Truths Human life has suffering The reason for suffering is greed It is possible to find an end to suffering The way to end suffering is to follow the Middle Path, or Noble Eight-Fold Path.
Noble Eightfold Path Right understanding Right attitude Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right thoughts Right mediation
The Three Jewels Buddha- the teacher Dharma- the teaching Sangha – the Buddhist community All Buddhists make a commitment to these ideals and take them as their guides.
The Five Precepts Not harming or killing living things. Not taking things unless they are freely given. Have a sensible, decent lifestyle. Not speaking unkindly or deceitfully. Not taking drugs or drinking alcohol. Buddhists believe in caring for others and not wanting things for themselves is the path to happiness.
Tibet Tibetans follow Tantric Buddhism. Spiritual teachers are called lamas. Buddhists monks live in monasteries. In 1959, China invaded Tibet and destroyed many monasteries and killed or arrested many monks. The leader of Tibet’s Buddhists is the Dalai Lama (“ocean of wisdom”) who is in exile in India.
Tibetan Prayer Wheels Buddhist temples are places of meditation and honoring Buddha. Buddhists will walk around a temple clockwise and spin prayer wheels located around the temple with their hands. Prayers written inside are released to the four corners of the world.
Tibetan Prayer Wheels
A Buddhist Prayer May all beings be happy wherever they are, weak or strong, tall, broad or medium, small or large. May all without exception be happy, Beings seen or unseen, Living near or far, Those born and those about to be born. May all beings be happy.
Symbols of Buddha Footprints A Lotus flower A Wheel A Bodhi Tree A Stupa An empty throne with an umbrella held above it.
Stupa
Sacred Thangkas Sacred Tibetan paintings that show the life and teachings of Buddha. Have ancient rules that the artists follow in their design.
Meditation Meditation is training your mind and bringing your thoughts and feeling under control to gain awareness and enlightenment. Meditation can be done anywhere. Focused on breathing and concentration. Use a mantra or simple sacred verse said over and over again.
Mandala Means circle and is used by monks to focus their meditation.