The World’s Great Religions Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama Hindu Kshatriya of the 6 th century BCE New Solutions for Old Problems How can the devout overcome Reincarnation? Personal Quest for Spiritual Fulfillment Pursued Asceticism (denial) Pursued Kama (indulgence)
The Four Noble Truths Life is suffering (Dukkha) Suffering is caused by craving (Tanha) By ending Tanha, we can end Dukkha We can end Tanha by following the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path Right View, Right Aim Accepting the teachings of the Buddha Right Speech, Right Action, Right Living Appropriate ethical behaviors Right Effort, Right Mindfulness Preparation for meditation Right Concentration The Jhana (meditative state)
The Three Jewels Sangha The Order of monks and nuns Examples of religious devotion Dharma The teachings of the faith The scriptures Buddha The Enlightened One The Three Bodies of Buddha
The Vehicles - Traditional Theravadin Buddhism “The Path of the Elders” Highly Monastic (Inner Quest) Principally in Southern India, Sri Lanka and Burma
The Vehicles – Popular Mahayana Buddhism Bodhisattvas and Grace Avalokitesvara, Amitabha and others Veneration, not worship (outer Quest) Principally East Asia and South-East Asia Tibetan Buddhism – Diamond Path Dalai Lama & Panchen Lamas