Buddhism By Kiera Sheehan, Megan Willgoos and Carly Wanner-Hyde

History of Buddhism One of the world’s major religions Founded in India c. 500 BC by a teacher named the Buddha Dominant religious, cultural, and social force in most of Asia Has about 350 million followers Most followers live in Tibet, regions of China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Sri Lanka, and the mainland of Southeast Asia Write Tantric texts about cosmology, astronomy, embryology, and physiology – combine science and religion Eightfold Path – “right views, right aspirations, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation”

History Cont.  Buddha’s parents didn’t want him to become a holy man  Surrounded him with comfort/luxury to stop that from happening – kept inside the castle  Met a sick person, an old person, and a dead body  Became aware of human suffering for first time  Left wife and child and never returned to palace  Wanted to find “the realm of life where there is neither suffering nor death”  Sat under a tree for 48 days until he understood life  Taught the Four Noble Truths  All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow  Cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions (riches, power, long life)  Only cure for suffering is to overcome desire  Only way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path

Core Beliefs and Impacts on Society Human desire, greed and ignorance are roots of suffering Four Noble Truths 1.Right Understanding: causes of suffering 2.Right Thoughts: kind and compassionate thinking 3.Right Speech: not lying or criticizing others 4.Right Action: harming no living thing, avoid bad relationships, alcohol and drugs Also Important: 1.Right of Livelihood: living honestly 2.Right Effort: using energy in right/effective way 3.Right Mindfulness: person must be alert to what’s happening in/outside of self 4.Right Concentration: meditation to calm mind/concentration Preached “middle way”: do not deny nor indulge themselves too much Religion spread through central India rapidly Sometimes replaced Hinduism or practiced alongside it Ashoka (Indian Emperor around 250 BCE) became Buddhist 1.Ordered pillars to be built conveying Buddha’s teachings around the country 2.Sent missionaries abroad Sri Lanka was first country to accept new religion Was stronghold when Buddhism in India was becoming less popular

Summary of Two Important Holidays The Day of the Buddha -There are several key events during this time - his birth - enlightenment - his death -Japan celebrates this time - decorates their temple with flowers and pouring sweet tea over statues of Buddha Buddhist Monks Holiday -Marks the end of the Monks’ annual retreat -This is called the Kathina. The Kathina is when the monks get robes. -The people are replicating the idea of the monks getting their robes during this holiday.

Statistics of Religion -Mostly practiced in East Asia, South East Asia, and some parts of South Asia. -There are 1.2 people who practice the religion today. -Mostly practiced in countries like Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka for the Theravada Buddhism and much more. -Today, people see Buddhism as a worldview or a philosophy. -Buddhists still meditate today like they did many years ago.

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Works Cited ANDRESEN, JENSINE. "Buddhism." Encyclopedia of Science and Religion. Ed. J. Wentzel Vrede Van Huyssteen. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 14 Dec "Buddhism." Exploring Ancient Civilizations. Marshall Cavendish Digital, Web. 12 December Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor, and Anthony Esler. "Empires of India and China: Hinduism and Buddhism." World History: Connections to Today. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, N. Pag. Print. Myers, Robert J. "Feasts and Festivals." World Book Student.World Book, Web. 13 Dec Schober, Juliane. "Buddhism." World Book Student. World Book, Web. 12 Dec "World History: Connections to Today by Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis, Anthony Esler, Burton Beers (Contributor), Contributor-Burton Beers, Burton F. Beers | | Get Textbooks | New Textbooks | Used Textbooks | College Textbooks - GetTextbooks.com." World History: Connections to Today by Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis, Anthony Esler, Burton Beers (Contributor), Contributor-Burton Beers, Burton F. Beers | | Get Textbooks | New Textbooks | Used Textbooks | College Textbooks - GetTextbooks.com. N.p., N.d. Web. 14 Dec.2012.