Buddhism

Introduction Buddhism began in northeastern India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The religion is 2,500 years old and is followed by 350 million Buddhists worldwide. Buddhism is the main religion in many Asian countries. It is a religion about suffering and the need to get rid of it. A key concept of Buddhism is Nirvana, the most enlightened, and blissful state that one can achieve. A state without suffering.

Notes Prince Siddhartha was born about 563 BC in India. His parents were royals- his father, Suddhodana, was a powerful king and his mother, Queen Maya, was know for her beauty Before the prince was born his mother had a dream where she was carried over the Himalaya mountains, placed upon a silver coach and struck in her side by an white elephant with six tusks. The Brahmins said that this dream meant that she was carrying a great man that could have two paths in life- he could stay as a royal and rule the universe or he could leave that life and find enlightenment by becoming the Buddha.

The Three Sufferings After living a privileged life as a prince and marrying a beautiful princess, Siddhartha had a child when he was 29 years old. After becoming a father he began to question the world around him as the king allowed him to travel outside of the palaces. On his travels he discovered three forms of suffering. 1. Aging 2. Sickness 3. Death

Ascetic The prince became very disturbed by the though of aging, sickness, and death. On his next venture outside of the palace he met a man who glowed with inner peace and calm. This man was an ascetic (a person who gives up world possessions such as fine clothing, money, and even shelter). When the prince questioned the man why he was so happy the man told him that to be free of suffering one must give up the desires, pleasures, and comforts of the world. This allowed this man to help others find peace, which in return gave him peace.

The Prince Becomes an Ascetic After the prince’s travel and his experiences with suffering, he changed forever. He wanted to find happiness and peace, like the ascetic he had encountered. Siddhartha decided to give up his old life and find enlightenment (to find deep truth and being free of suffering) To start the process, he left the palace, went into the woods, gave up his worldly goods, cut off all of his hair, and left with only a simple robe and alms (gifts of food for the poor), and began his new life.

His journey He encountered other ascetics as he wondered the forest. They used meditation to help them reach enlightment Ascetics denied themselves many basic needs- sleep, shelter, they would hold their breath for long periods,& fasted (went without eating) for days at a time. They hoped self denial would bring them spiritual truth. Eventually Siddhartha became unhappy with this extreme way of life and changed his lifestyle since he had not achieved enlightment.

Middle Way He learned giving up worldly pleasures would not ensure for him enlightment. So he decided to seek a “middle way” as a path for enlightenment. Many ascetics turned their backs on him when he rejected their way of life.

Enlightenment On Siddhartha’s 35 th birthday he bathed in the river and rested quietly in a grove of trees. When he awoke he felt strongly that he would become enlightened. He began walking until he came across the Bodhi tree. Siddhartha sat under the Bodhi tree to meditate and was tempted by the wicked god, Mara. Mara then tried to tempt him by sending his three daughters: Discontent, Delight, & Desire. He rejected them all. Eventually he reached nirvana (an ideal state of happiness and peace).

Nirvana Siddhartha became aware of the cycles of rebirth. He saw the importance of karma. By morning the prince had become the Buddha, the Awakened One. He had reached enlightenment! Buddhists believed that there is a cycle of birth, life and death and rebirth. This goes on and on. They believe that unless someone gains Enlightenment, when they die they will be reborn. If a person can gain Enlightenment, they can break out of this cycle. Breaking out of the cycle is called Nirvana (sometimes called Nibbana). It is the end of everything that is not perfect. It is perfect peace, free of suffering.

The Four Noble Truths 1.Suffering is present in all things and nothing last forever. 2.Suffering is caused by desires and wants. 3.The way to end suffering is to give up cravings. 4. In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eight-fold Path focuses the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths. It is the way Buddhists should live their lives. The Buddha said that people should avoid extremes. The path to Enlightenment (nirvana) is through the practice and development of wisdom, morality and meditation.

The Noble Eightfold Path (page 36)