Aim: What does it mean to be a Buddhist? Do Now: What do you know about Buddhism? What do you want to know? NY State Standard 2 Common Core RS 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and WS 1, 2

I How did Buddhism begin? A) Siddhartha Gautama, a Hindu, was born in what is now Nepal in the 6 th century BCE. B) A prince, he lived in luxury. Isolated in his palace, he never knew about suffering. He first saw a sick and elderly man at 29 years old! Siddhartha left his palace to find out why people must suffer. C) When Siddhartha found enlightenment (knowledge), he became known as Buddha (the enlightened one).

Birth of Siddhartha Buddhists believe that when Siddhartha was born, he was able to walk and that lotus blossoms grew beneath his feet.

Buddhist Beliefs A) Our five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) are illusions. Only through enlightenment (knowledge) will we find truth. Just because we could not see x-rays before inventing an x-ray machine, did that mean that x-rays didn’t exist? Is it possible that there are other things in the universe that we cannot see, feel, taste, or smell?

Buddhist Beliefs Continued… B) Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation. UNLIKE HINDUS, Buddhists do not believe in the caste system. C) Siddhartha found enlightenment when he discovered the 4 Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths: 1. Suffering exists 2. Suffering comes from desire 3. Suffering stops when desire stops 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by following the Eightfold Path Did You Know? Some Buddhists believe in God, but you do not have to. *This is why Buddhism is often thought to be a belief system, and not a religion.

Buddhist Beliefs Continued… D) You will find freedom from suffering if you follow the Eightfold Path: Right Understanding Right Intention Right Action Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Right Livelihood (your career) Right Speech NIRVANA: Freedom from the cycle of reincarnation, and from suffering (similar to the Hindu goal of moksha) What do I need to do to achieve Nirvana? How difficult will it be?

III Buddhist Practices A) Like Hindus, Buddhists practice meditation. Chanting a mantra (a word or sound that is repeated) is a common form of Buddhist meditation. Tibetan prayer wheels are covered in mantras written in Sanskrit. You turn the wheel while saying the mantra.

Buddhist Practices Continued… B) Like Hindus, Buddhists pray in temples and at shrines. You must take your shoes off to go inside. Statues of Buddha are there to help you meditate; you are NOT praying to Buddha. Red Buddhist Temple, Japan

Buddhist Practices Continued… C) Buddhists can become monks or nuns at a young age. They usually live in monasteries, and devote most of their time to meditation and charity. Unlike Catholic monks, they do not have to serve for life. D) Buddhist prayer beads are used to aid in meditation. Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

V Buddhist Sacred Texts Sutras are believed to be the wisdom of Buddha. “Sutra” = a thread that holds things together

VI Buddhist Symbols A) Many Hindu symbols are also used by Buddhists, including the mandala, ohm and swastika. B) Additionally, Buddhists use the… 1. Dharmachakra: The 8 spokes represent the eightfold path. 2. Lotus: Represents the progress of the human soul. The lotus grows in the mud, but its flower grows to reach the sun (enlightenment).

VII Buddhist Holidays A) Vesak celebrates the birth and enlightenment of Buddha. B) The Festival of Floating Bowls is a Buddhist holiday in Thailand. Buddhists float candles in bowls of leaves for good luck. Children carry lanterns in Sri Lanka for Vesak. The Festival of Floating Bowls in Thailand

HW Fill in your religion chart for Buddhism. Extra Credit: The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet. At the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the last Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are enlightened beings who postpone their own nirvana to help humanity. However, the government of China has banned the Dalai Lama from returning to Tibet, which today is controlled by China; China believes that the Dalai Lama has been encouraging Tibetans to rebel against China. Task: Find an article about the Dalai Lama and China. Summarize the article in your own words and state your opinion. Back up your opinion with evidence! *You must cite the article including the source, author, and date.

Key Vocabulary Buddha Buddhism Buddhist Monks & Nuns Dharmachakra Eightfold Path Enlightenment Festival of Floating Bowls Four Noble Truths Siddhartha Gautama Lotus Mantra Meditation Monasteries Nirvana Reincarnation Sutras Vesak