CS BUDDHISM

WHAT IS BUDDHISM? Goes beyond religion as more as philosophy, or “way of life” Originated 2,500 years ago Main goals: Lead a moral life Be mindful/aware of thoughts and actions Develop wisdom and understanding

BUDDHISM BELIEFS Believes in: Middle Way Eightfold Path Four Noble Truths Karma Rebirth

WHO WAS THE BUDDHA Siddhartha Gautama born as prince 563 to King Shuddhodhana Prophecy that he would be great warrior/religious leader Shielded from religion and world suffering Kapilvastu was were he was born Considered holy pilgrimage by Buddhists to visit there

THE BUDDHA At age 29, Sickened by sight of old man, sick man, and corpse Shaved his head, disguised as a beggar, and searched for enlightenment Buddha means “Awakened One” or “The Enlightened One” Sat under sacred fig tree (Bodhi Tree) and meditated Realized enlightenment and became Buddha Found happiness in the “Middle Way”

TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA Siddhartha Guatama began teaching people about his enlightenment until he was 80 years old Wheel of Life Four Noble Truths Eight Fold Path Dharma

FIRST NOBLE TRUTH Truth of Suffering Portrays physical suffering such as pain, getting old, disease death as realistic parts of life It also states psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappoint and anger as part of life Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy

SECOND NOBLE TRUTH Suffering is caused by craving and aversion. Getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Craving to continue to exist creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. Causes us to be reborn

THIRD NOBLE TRUTH Suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time Nirvana can be attained Nirvana is the supreme state free from suffering and individual existence

FOURTH NOBLE TRUTH Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering. THE 8-FOLD PATH : being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood) focusing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Having compassion towards others

DHARMA Differs on branch of Buddhism 2 main meanings Universal Law of Nature Teachings of Buddha that lead to enlightenment Understanding the characterizes of elements

IDOLS sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, but do not worship images or ask for favors Statues of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile are to remind people of peace and love within themselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching

OTHER SYMBOLS/IDOLS Mantra words or phrases that are chanted out loud or internally as objects of meditation Buddhists memorize these chants and say them mediation Wheel of Life symbolizes the Buddhist perspective on life and contains numerous symbols of Buddhist themes and teachings Six realms

Other Symbols/Idols Mantra words or phrases that are chanted out loud or internally as objects of meditation Buddhists memorize these chants and say them mediation Wheel of Life symbolizes the Buddhist perspective on life and contains numerous symbols of Buddhist themes and teachings Six realms

A GROWING RELIGION Stupas were constructed in early days of Buddhism. Mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship. Represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha

TODAY THERE ARE ABOUT 350 MILLION BUDDHISTS This would be 6% of the world’s population, making Buddhism the fourth most popular religion

NEWS ARTICLES September 2, 2013 Bagan Journal; curators are working in Myanmar to assemble exhibit of Buddhist art that will travel to Asia Society in New York City in 2015 and offer a rare glimpse into the country’s history July 12, 2013 More than 20 Buddhists are sentenced to as much as 15 years in prison for murder and other crimes for March incidents of violence against Muslims in Myanmar; sentences do not erase sense of unequal justice in country where Muslim minority has borne most of legal brunt for Buddhist-Muslim violence

VOCAB Bodhi tree- a large and very old Sacred Fig tree located in Bodh Gaya, India Buddha- is “Awakened One” or “The Enlightened One” Dharma- the teaching or religion of the Buddha Eightfold Path- the path to nirvana Four Noble Truths- the four central beliefs containing the essence of Buddhist teaching Ganges River- river located in India Kapilavastu- Childhood home of Buddha Mantra- a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation Nirvana- a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth Siddhartha Gautama- the Buddha

REVIEW What was the founder of Buddhism’s’ name, real name? Siddhartha Gautama What was he better known as? Buddha What is enlightenment called in Buddhism? Nirvana A Buddhist shrine is called what? Stupa What was the name of the tree Buddha found enlightenment under, the sacred tree of Buddhism? Bodhi Tree

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